Ranking the 9 most horrible Resident Evil enemies from worst to best
Capcom’s Resident Evil franchise has produced some of the vilest creatures ever seen in a video game. From gigantic bugs dripping liquid to unyielding psychos brandishing chainsaws, here are nine of the most horrible enemies the series has ever produced.
When people think of Resident Evil, they think of the heroic warriors like Chris Redfield, Leon Kennedy, Jill Valentine… the ones who get business taken care of. They also think of the heinous villains such as Albert Wesker, Nemesis, Mr.X… the ones who are out to unleash evil.
Today, we want to hover the magnifying glass over the enemies that reoccur throughout Resident Evil games – sometimes across multiple titles. We’re not looking at the one-off bosses or sub-bosses that give you a temporary headache.
This is our official ranking of the nine most horrible enemies seen during Resident Evil games ranked from worst to best.
9. Crimson Head – Resident Evil 1
A tame but terrifying entry to kick off this list. The Crimson Heads aren’t as imposing and brutish as other enemies here, but they tick many boxes for being horrible.
Unlike the regular zombies you’ve encountered to this point, the Crimson Head is faster, stronger, and is certain to cause you bother. Worse still, if you don’t have explosive or flammable items, then you won’t be able to put them down for good – allowing them to bite back once more.
8. Hunter – Resident Evil 1
One of the first real, regular tests in Capcom’s Resident Evil games has to be the fearsome Hunter. A big, tanky-like lizard-human that can pounce to close the gap very quickly.
Their unbelievable strength combines nicely with their claws to deliver devastating blows to your characters. If that wasn’t bad enough, it’s green, scaly body is an unsettling sight to endure as well.
7. Garrador – Resident Evil 4
This dude is horrible. The worst part is that unlike the dogs in the original Resident Evil game, you can already see the Garrador before he triggers and tries to turn you into a beef patty.
Their painfully slow, methodical movement is as jarring as it gets as they play off of sound. So as long as you’re quiet, you could easily walk around this murderous maniac with ease. But upset him, and you’re prone to his lightning-quick charge and follow-up Wolverine claw barrage.
6. Drain Deimos – Resident Evil 3 Remake
It makes us nauseous just thinking about these revulsive creatures, but if that’s what Capcom was going for then it worked to perfection.
When Jill first encounters one in the Resident Evil 3 Remake, she is violated by its powerful arms as it force-feeds a parasite down her throat. The idea of this is repugnant, but it adds so much more tension and anxiety as you fear one of them getting a hold of you to do it again.
5. Executioner Manjini – Resident Evil 5
Resident Evil 5 certainly gives you the most hostile welcome imaginable by starting off the game with Chris and Sheva holed up in a contained area, being hounded by Manjini. Then out of nowhere, the big fence separating you from freedom is torn down by this large presence.
His body being showered with blood and sharp things sticking into him his bad enough, but slowly being chased by a menacing giant wielding the world’s biggest weapon is something else. His mobility hinders his scariness, but if he gets to close, then you might want to scarper pronto.
4. Chainsaw Guy – Resident Evil 4
A fan-favorite enemy for many reasons: the shirt and braces, the straw mask, and of course, that death animation. It’s not often a character is lauded for its brutal execution of the player’s character, but Chainsaw Guy comfortably merits these plaudits.
The sound of that chainsaw whirring for the first time is something that you don’t ever forget. His appearance isn’t outwardly grotesque like other enemies, but there’s an unmistakable sense of fear whenever one gets too closer for comfort.
An honorable mention does go to Resident Evil 5’s Manjini version, but there’s nothing quite like the original in this case.
3. Reaper – Resident Evil 5
The fact that Reapers are only normal enemies is insane. These deadly bugs absolutely dwarf Chris and Sheva and they come prepared with two sets of razor-sharp pincers that can puncture any number of holes in you.
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What’s worse is that when it moves towards you it can mask its presence using a weird mist. This causes some annoying depth perception issues and it can actually be a lot closer than it appears. If a Reaper manages to grab you, then enjoy your instant death.
2. Regenerator/Iron Maiden – Resident Evil 4
The Regenerators and Iron Maidens could easily have been number one on our list because we can’t think of one thing we don’t dislike about them.
Is it the chilling piece of music that echoes and sounds like someone struggling to breathe when they appear? Is it the sinister grinning face of the Regenerator that makes you want to cower, or the mangled wreckage that is the Iron Maiden’s face? The fact they can keep coming back if not dealt with properly? Or their ability to take damage, and still pounce at you to inflict damage?
We’ve copped out slightly by including both, but they are both very similar enemy-types with the Iron Maiden differing thanks to its spikey body attack. We hate them…equally.
1. Licker – Resident Evil 2 Remake
The most horrible enemy award in Resident Evil has to go to the Lickers because quite frankly, they’re hideous, unpleasant, and legitimately terrifying. Like the Garrador, Lickers are completely blind as an exposed brain occupies the entire top half of their head.
Their Resident Evil 2 Remake appearance helps to scoop the award as the technology has allowed them to achieve their maximum potential. Oodles of goo dripping from their enormous tongue is one thing, but their ability to go from silent predator to deadly hunter in seconds is stressful.
Their look is grotesque, they can cause big damage, they can hide away in the open, and there’s a reason they’ve appeared in multiple Resident Evil games.
We hope you enjoyed our list, don’t forget to check out every Resident Evil game ranked from worst to best and the top Resident Evil Villains ranked from worst to best.
Do you disagree with any of our selections? Be sure to let us know on our CharlieINTEL Facebook Page and CharlieINTEL Twitter Page!
Image credits: Capcom