Whose Campaign is Canon in Resident Evil 1?
Resident Evil 1, released in 1996, is a survival horror game developed by Capcom. The game has two distinct campaigns, one featuring Chris Redfield and the other featuring Jill Valentine. The question has been debated among fans and critics alike: whose campaign is canon? In this article, we’ll explore the history of the game, its storyline, and the events that unfolded to answer this question.
The Story of Resident Evil 1
The game takes place in July 1998, in a fictional town called Raccoon City, where a series of mysterious murders and disappearances have occurred. The story revolves around a biological lab called the Umbrella Corporation, which has been conducting experiments on zombies and other supernatural creatures. The player takes on the role of either Chris Redfield or Jill Valentine, two members of the Special Tactics and Rescue Service (S.T.A.R.S.), as they investigate the mysterious occurrences in Raccoon City.
The Two Campaigns
The game has two distinct campaigns, one featuring Chris Redfield and the other featuring Jill Valentine. While the story remains the same, the paths the players take are different. Chris’s campaign takes a more action-oriented approach, while Jill’s campaign is more stealth-based.
Canon vs. Non-Canon
So, whose campaign is canon? The answer is that both campaigns are considered canon. However, there is an unseen third scenario that combines elements from both campaigns.
The RE Archives
In 2002, Capcom released the Resident Evil Archives, a collection of novels and comic books that expanded on the Resident Evil universe. The archives reveal that the true story of Resident Evil 1 is a combination of both Chris and Jill’s campaigns. The events that unfold are a result of the actions taken by both characters, and the story is meant to be a fusion of both.
Table: Resident Evil 1 Storyline
| Event | Chris’s Campaign | Jill’s Campaign |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Investigation | Explore the Arklay Mountains and uncover the truth behind the mysterious occurrences | Investigate the mysterious murders and disappearances in Raccoon City |
| Meeting the Characters | Meet characters such as Rebecca Chambers and Barry Burton | Meet characters such as Richard Aiken and Enrico Marini |
| Fighting Zombies | Fight hordes of zombies and other supernatural creatures | Fight zombies and other creatures in Raccoon City |
| Confronting the Truth | Uncover the truth behind the Umbrella Corporation’s experiments | Confront the truth behind the Umbrella Corporation’s experiments |
| The Final Confrontation | Confront Albert Wesker and uncover the true intentions of the Umbrella Corporation | Confront Albert Wesker and uncover the true intentions of the Umbrella Corporation |
Conclusion
In conclusion, both Chris and Jill’s campaigns are considered canon in Resident Evil 1. The true story of the game is a combination of both campaigns, and the events that unfold are a result of the actions taken by both characters. The Resident Evil Archives further solidify this concept, revealing that the game’s story is meant to be a fusion of both campaigns.