Having this version of the first Resident Evil pop up on PS+ Premium just as I'm beginning a new series playthrough is terrific timing.

There's not much to say about the first RE that hasn't already been said. Though I had a negative experience on my first playthrough of the original release (possibly the fault of the emulator?), returning for this PS5 emulation is a sweet treat. The settings may not be the greatest but general control is fine and I played through the whole game without any issues.

Playing Resident Evil with such convenience is a treat but it comes at a cost. Sadly, this version on the PS4/5 is locked entirely behind a subscription, but there's obviously an easy way to acquire this game, yourself. That being said, it's rather integral you play the original Resident Evil.

Though not the first survival horror game, Resident Evil set it on the map and charted a long history full of great titles in this series (and several others) to this day. Though there's a lot of jank to get around if you're solely raised on 8th gen gaming, a diamond of level design, atmosphere, and inventory systems sprouts before you.