Today I am sharing my experience playing Resident Evil Biohazard for the first time. I’m currently working my way through all the modern games, including the remakes. Eventually, I will rank them all. I have been a big fan of this franchise for years; having seen many a playthrough on YouTube. However, I had never played them myself. Biohazard is actually one of my favourite horror games of all time (see here). I played it on casual mode (amateur gamer here!) and these are my thoughts. Without further ado, let’s get into it!

The Story

You play as Ethan Winters, a man searching for his wife, Mia, who has been missing for three years. Within a derelict plantation, he discovers Mia is being held captive by the mutated, mold-infected Baker family. He must survive their psychotic clutches, whilst searching for a cure to escape.

No Resident Evil fan can deny that Biohazard is the scariest game in the entire franchise. Despite knowing it really well, I was still terrified to play it. Nothing can prepare you for what lies in the basement. Not to mention, being relentlessly chased by Jack Baker and Marguerite’s spidery form. You’re going to need to summon all your courage before entering their twisted abode…

Casual Mode/Gameplay

Casual mode in Biohazard was similar to Requiem – a lot more difficult and unforgiving. I was given the least amount of resources possible. There were moments where I genuinely had nothing to defend myself with and had to run away. Make no mistake, I searched all my surroundings, top to bottom. I even unlocked secret treasures (i.e. the wooden axe). This game made me work hard and for that, I appreciate it.

Additionally, the storage/crafting menu mechanics were a bit clunky. I found them to be more seamless in Village and Requiem. I was constantly running back and forth to store items I didn’t need because I had no space for those that were essential. It got quite trying at times.

Having said all that, Biohazard has some of my favourite puzzles in the franchise. Not only do you get to participate in an actual escape room (see Lucas), you have to find different keys (scorpion, snake and crow) to unlock various marked doors. There are lots of hidden areas and concealed spaces to move through. The Baker house is one gigantic maze. Don’t let the outside deceive you. There’s a lot more going on inside!

Jack Baker

Forget Mr. X! Jack Baker is the most terrifying Resident Evil villain you will ever be pursued by. The first part of the game consists of hiding from him and his axe. If he catches sight of you, prepare to run around the house, looking for a safe space. He is relentless. Not only that, you will have to fight him multiple times – in different forms. The dude won’t stay dead! I love that the patriarch of the family is first. Unlike how Village ordered its villains, Biohazard got it just right. It set the scene with the alpha of horror. He was the one I was most apprehensive about pre-play. Having said that, I don’t know if it was due to casual mode but he actually didn’t chase me as much as I thought he would. I was able to progress through the house with little interference. Phew! In my opinion, the boss battle in the dissection room was the hardest part of the entire game. It took forever to take him down. Furthermore, I was working with limited space. I had nowhere to run, with a crazed maniac coming at me! Ironically, his third and final form in the boathouse was the simplest encounter. Once you shoot enough of his many eyes, he can no longer see you. Jack gives serious Texas Chainsaw Massacre vibes and for that, I have no choice but to stan!

Marguerite Baker

Ahh Marguerite. She’s one crazy lady! Depending on your fears, you may find her scarier than Jack. I’m not terrified of spiders, so her final form wasn’t difficult for me to face. Having said that, I HATE bugs – of any kind! Her section of the house is filled with large man-eating insects that will not leave you alone. If you don’t want to waste your ammo, slash at them with a knife. Better yet, incinerate them with a Burner. You’ll want them out of the way, trust me. Marguerite’s boss battle is a lot simpler than Jack’s. Not only do you have access to plenty of resources, you have a whole greenhouse to move around in. The more difficult part is keeping your distance whilst navigating her domain. She walks slowly, with a lantern to guide her way, but if she spots you, she’ll charge like a bull seeing red! You can make quick work of her level if you stay hidden.

Lucas Baker

In the main game, you do not have to fight Lucas (son ofJack and Marguerite). If you play the DLC, you get to exterminate him as Chris Redfield. Having said that, his section is not easy. He is a tech-head, with a penchant for setting traps. You have to evade the many explosives rigged throughout his area. As mentioned above, you also get to participate in his escape room. This is one of my favourite parts of the entire game. It’s creepy, fun and of course, deadly. Anything with a Saw vibe, I’m going to love. If you want to survive it, I recommend watching the video tape inside the attic before giving it a crack. Don’t go in blind, unless you want things to end with a bang! Furthermore, because Lucas is non-combative, he will send the creatures of the game (Molded ) after you. They are quiet, so expect to turn a corner with one right in your face. Cue heart attack! This psychotic Baker child is the definition of a bad seed – virus or no virus.

Mia, Zoe & The Wrecked Ship

In the game, you will be met with a dilemma. There is only one cure but two good women that need it: Mia, Ethan’s wife and Zoe Baker, the daughter of Jack and Marguerite, who hasn’t turned evil yet. Zoe spends a lot of RE7 trying to assist you. So how do you choose? Personally, I chose Mia. After all, she is Ethan’s spouse. It would be strange not to pick her. However, if you do go with Zoe, just be warned she dies not long afterward anyway. Mia is also a central character in the next Resident Evil instalment, so if she dies in Biohazard, the continuity falls apart.

As you escape with Mia, leaving a very disgruntled Zoe behind, you arrive at a wrecked ship. All of a sudden, Ethan is taken hostage by the mold and you must play as Mia to retrieve him. This section is the most frustrating for fans. In fact, many say it ruins the game. I agree it’s the worst part. It goes for far too long and feels very removed from the Baker family, despite telling an essential part of their story. It would’ve worked better if this segment had been shortened. The setting was creepy but it never felt cohesive. It was a lot of running from Molded, fixing broken elevators and chasing a bratty, mysterious ghost girl named Eveline.

Eveline

Speaking of, the twist reveal is that Eveline from the wrecked ship is actually patient zero: Grandma Baker. It turns out, the creepy old lady that has been appearing in random places throughout the game is the cause of all these shenanigans. As you can imagine, she is the final boss. Unlike the ship, this part isn’t frustrating as much as it is disappointing. Eveline morphs into a gigantic mutated face you must continuously shoot at. There is nothing tricky about this battle, nor exciting. It takes a matter of minutes. Tell me how my scrap with Jack Baker in the garage was tougher than this? Having said all that, I can forgive these issues because the rest of Biohazard is everything I could want in a horror game.

Overall, Resident Evil Biohazard gets a 9/10 total score. The level of horror makes it a top tier game. Not to mention, I have very fond memories attached to watching it be played. The story is excellent, with a genuinely surprising twist ending. My main critique (as mentioned above) lies with the ship segment and final boss battle.

Thank you so much for reading! Please let me know your experience playing Biohazard. I will be back very soon with my review/breakdown of Resident Evil 3.

Peace & Love xoxo