Hot Zombie Summer: A Resident Evil Retrospective

It's our first episode on Resident Evil 4 and it's a doozy! We have a lot to talk about covering the development and release of the game, as well as the characters, gameplay changes, and our personal experience with this seminal action horror classic. Time Stamps 0:00-4:25 – Intro and Personal Memories 4:25-37:56 – Development Notes and History 37:56-47:45 – Release 47:45-1:40:08 – Cast of Charact...

We wrap up our discussion of Resident Evil Ø, covering the final areas of the game, the Queen Leech fight, and the bizarre ending cinema. Finally, we discuss the game's legacy and what we would like to see (or not see) in a remake. Time Stamps Intro and Laboratory: 0:00-15:25 The Factory/Sewer: 15:25-38:02 Leech Fun Facts: 38:02-48:39 Final Boss and Ending Cinemas: 48:39-54:35 Final Thoughts, Lega...

We are back with part 2 of Resident Evil Ø! In this episode, we dive into the first major gameplay section of the game with the Umbrella Torture,,,uhhhh,,,Training Facility, the Basement, and the Church. We also discuss our feelings on Catholicism, Deadpool vs. Wolverine, and the Magic Mike trilogy. Enjoy and check out part one here: Resident Evil Ø: “Oops! All T-Virus” | Podcast Episode on RSS.co...

“This game actively pissed me off"—Logan "I would have quit the game if not for this podcast"—Keith Hot Zombie Summer faces its biggest challenge yet in Resident Evil Ø, the last of the Classic REs. In this first of three episodes on Capcom’s prequel title, the co-hosts narrate Zero ’s complicated development cycle (shoutout to the Nintendo 64DD) and express their frustration with new gameplay mec...

Episode two on Resident Evil (2002) is here. We complete the second half of RE make by traversing the residence, revisiting the Spencer mansion, and making our way through much-improved tunnels and laboratory. In our conclusion, we send the game off by chatting about its commercial reception, legacy, and whether or not the original should (will?) be remade for current consoles. As you listen, don’...

We’re very excited to debut our first of two episodes on Resident Evil (2002) AKA REmake —arguably the best RE ever released. After discussing the development of the game, diving into Capcom’s controversial deal to make the Resident Evil franchise exclusive to the Nintendo GameCube, we highlight major changes from PS1’s original Resident Evil : Director’s Cut . In particular, we spend some time ta...

We are back for the final of four episodes discussing the good, the bad, and the Wesker of Resident Evil Code: Veronica X. In this episode we mostly play as Chris and complete the story portion of Code: Veronica. We finish up by discussing the reception and legacy of the game, and if we think we've seen the last of one Steve Burnside. We also talk about Chris-Hangers, The Walking Dead, Cool Water...

We are back for the third of four episodes discussing the good, the bad, and the dissociative of Resident Evil Code: Veronica X. In this episode we finish up the Claire Redfield portion of the campaign by going through the Private Residence, the Airport, and the Umbrella Antarctica Base. We also debut (and retire) a new segment: Antarctic Fun Facts. We also discuss puppets, Phantom Thread, crime,...

We are back with a super-sized part two of Code Veronica X! We go through the story beats and areas for the first half(ish) of the game, including the prison, the palace, and the military training facility! We also discuss doormen, bad icebreakers, DMX, and compare celebrity families. A fun time as always so check it out! Time Stamps: 0:00-42:58 The Prison 42:58 - 57:48 The Palace 57:48 - 1:05:03...

It's time for Bonus Episode #2! Now that we've had a few days to reflect after finishing an initial playthrough of Resident Evil: Requiem we wanted to talk about the gameplay, characters, plot, and overall thoughts on the latest installment of the world's premier survival horror series. How does this stack up to previous games? Where do we go from here? Is the nostalgia too much or just enough? Wh...

We are back to begin our discussion on Resident Evil: Code Veronica X! In this episode we cover the development history, character, and opening scenes of this divisive entry in the RE series. We also wax nostalgic about the Sega Dreamcast, ask why rich, white men love starting clothing lines, speculate about what the RE crew would be like on The Bachelor, and determine the most famous Irish actor....

It's Requiem Day! With today's February 27th release of Resident Evil: Requiem , Keith and Logan recorded a quick, bonus episode this evening with initial reactions to RE9. For the spoiler averse, light gameplay spoilers begin at 16 minutes, 15 seconds in. (For context, we only talk through the first 90m or so of the game) ** As a reminder, new episodes of Hot Zombie Summer are released Wednesdays...

Our odyssey through Raccoon City ends with this third episode on Resident Evil 3: Nemesis (1999). In our shortest installment yet—clocking in under 66 minutes—we guide Jill and Carlos through the final areas of the game and say (to Nemesis and each other), “You want S.T.A.R.S? I’ll give you S.T.A.R.S.” If you thought this was a straightforward episode, though, think again! We also consider time-ap...

In our second of three episodes on Resident Evil 3: Nemesis (1999), we jump into gameplay: the apocalyptic streets of Raccoon City, the clock tower, and the hospital. We do battle with Nemesis for the first time and praise his impeccable comic timing. Other topics include: A hypothetical, Hulu-produced sequel to Se7en titled Se7en 2: Patron Saints of the Seven Deadly Sins ; Whether or not music bo...

This first episode centering Resident Evil 3: Nemesis (1999) has us breaking down the development of the game, highlighting gameplay firsts in the series (quick turn! ammo crafting!), and discussing RE3’s cast of mostly one-off characters. Throughout this recording, we pose critical questions such as: Is RE3 really about Calvinism?; Can the PS1 render bacne with any graphical fidelity?; and Was Bo...

In this episode we finish our discussion on Resident Evil 2. We hit the key plot points of the B scenario, discuss the ending cinema, and give our overall thoughts on the game and its legacy. Content warning : Mention of pedophilia, necrophilia, and rape in Resident Evil 2 (implied re: Brian Irons, Chief of Raccoon City Police Department; 28:28 -40:00) Time Stamps: 00:00-7:17 Intro and Alligator B...

We continue our discussion of Resident Evil 2. We discuss the initial area, the iconic Racoon Police Department, meet up with Ada, and begin exploring the sewers. We also discuss rebooting White Men Can't Jump with zombies, Martha Stewart's insider trading, Michael Moore, Billy the Big Mouth Bass, and the problems with sewer levels. Time Stamps 0:00-4:08 Intro and Banter 4:08-6:58 Game Menu and Ch...

In this episode, we launch into our retrospective on Resident Evil 2. We discuss the game’s development, commercial reception, and cast of characters. In our next two episodes of the pod, we’ll talk replaying RE2 itself. Other topics that come up throughout our conversation include: Disney adults; Rob Thomas from Matchbox Twenty; Sinbad, the comedian; Gran Turismo / Torino; Al Pacino’s 2024 Oscar...

We conclude our discussion of Resident Evil: Director's Cut, including the final areas and bosses of the game and our overall thoughts. We also talk about interventions, the upcoming Street Fighter movie, office politics, Chris' real greatest nemesis, Austin Powers, and perform a dramatic re-enactment of our favorite RE scene. Time Stamps: 0:00-1:28 – Intro and recap 1:29-10:20 – Return to Spencer...

We continue our playthrough and discussion of Resident Evil: Director’s Cut. We explore the mansion and guardhouse, do battle with a few bosses, and discuss some interesting memos. We also discuss metaphysics, Benjamin Button, algebra, cowardly pilots, and why the end of the world would be sad. This is the second of three episodes on Resident Evil: Director’s Cut. New episodes will be released eve...

We begin our journey with Resident Evil: Director’s Cut. We discuss our history with the series and the development, release, and legacy of the first game, as well as an in-depth discussion on each and every character. We also discuss blood types, Car Seat Headrest, having doubles of the mansion, French Canadians, Kyoshi Kurasawa, and unsuccessfully scamming Gamefly. Our discussion of Resident Evi...