When the first Resident Evil was released in 1996 for the PlayStation, it established the core survival horror gameplay loop that would become the standard for almost all games in the genre to follow going forward. Scavenging every last bullet and barely making it through a narrow corridor of enemies are recognizable aspects of the Resident Evil games, but another core component that the series made popular was the inclusion of safe rooms.

Related

Resident Evil Games Ranked By How Long They Take To Beat

The Resident Evil franchise is the face of the horror game genre; however, which of the series' games takes the longest to beat?

Save points had been around in games well before the debut of Resident Evil, but because this game was so tense and unpredictable, it made these sorts of areas much more valuable, giving players a chance to catch their breath after everything they've just been through. There have been some amazing safe rooms throughout the series that have become recognizable for their design, music, and overall aesthetic, but the ones listed below are particular standouts from their respective games.

7 Train (Resident Evil 0)

The Train Save Room In Resident Evil 0 Features Some Fantastic Visual Storytelling

A lot of people argue that the train is the best area in Resident Evil 0, and it's hard to argue with such a statement when seeing just how much effort and attention was dedicated to the finer details of the environment. A perfect example of this is the first save room which players are able to enter near the front of the train during the first few hours of the game.

The dimly lit lamp is very reminiscent of the classic save rooms in the original game, along with the sinister but calming melody that plays in the background. There's actually a second camera angle of this room showing a messy bunkbed and papers scattered all over the floor, which provides a nice bit of visual storytelling about what the room may have been used for before it became the train's only safe haven.

6 Castle (Resident Evil Village)

This Room Provides Some Much-Needed Comfort After Venturing Into Dimitrescu's Castle

Not long after Ethan sets out to save his daughter at the beginning of Village, he realizes if he wants to get some answers, he's going to need to sneak into Lady Dimitrescu's castle. Considering the castle is made up of Dimitrescu and her three daughters, who are always buzzing around the area, it means those first few moments after stepping in can be extremely intense since there's no telling when Ethan will be caught off guard. Thankfully, there's a safe room near the four pillars which contains none other than the Duke, whom Ethan had met earlier.

Related

Every Resident Evil Remake, Ranked

Capcom has generally delivered awesome Resident Evil remakes, but some are better than others.

That's not all though, as there's also a ball puzzle in the corner, along with a note, and of course, a typewriter. This is the first time in the game that players can actually spend some time preparing themselves for the fight ahead rather than being on the back foot. The fact it's right at the heart of the enemy territory means that players will frequently be returning to it, especially when Dimitrescu decides to go for a wander around the castle.

5 Caravan (Resident Evil 7)

This Cozy Caravan Is The Only Place Ethan Ever Feels Truly Safe In Resident Evil 7

Most of the Resident Evil games will involve the protagonists trespassing across someone's mansion, village, or castle, but they are also usually prepared for anything that could happen along the way. This isn't the case for Etan though, who has no combat skills to speak of, yet who also finds himself sneaking around a giant house which is occupied by a crazy family who want nothing more than to tear him to pieces. The threat of the merciless Baker family makes those first few hours of Resident Evil 7a spine-tingling horror experience that no player can ever forget, but once Ethan does finally escape, he will be able to find refuge in a small caravan just outside.

This is one of the few precious moments in the game where the player feels truly safe, so it's already a pretty memorable room for that alone, but it also stands out because of how much it actually offers. Not only is there a phone that can be used to respond to Zoe, but there are also a few cages that can be opened with coins to obtain upgrades and powerful weapons. In a game this terrifying, every safe room counts, but this one is especially memorable for being the first area to provide Ethan with his first bit of safety after stepping foot inside the Baker Estate.

4 Village Cabin (Resident Evil 4)

There's Something So Eerie Yet Calming About This Traditional Village Cabin

Leon actually passes through this save area on two separate occasions during his mission to save Ashley. Though it's a regular bright room the first time, on the second occasion when Leon is escorting Ashley through the village, the room is drenched in darkness with only the flickering candles and occasional lightning strikes providing any sort of visibility. The room manages to create an incredibly eerie atmosphere, which is complemented by the haunting melody, Serenity, which only plays in a select few rooms throughout the game.

It also perfectly captures the oppressiveness of the village area in general, especially at this particular point when all the infected villagers are making preparations to stop Leon in his tracks by any means necessary. Resident Evil 4 has its fair share of iconic save rooms, but this one is a big highlight for many fans.

3 Darkroom (Resident Evil 2 Remake)

The Darkroom Is Arguably The Most Recognizable Safe Room In The Entire Series

It's fair to say, that Claire and Leon go through quite an ordeal before they even reach their first safe room in the RPD. After being attacked by a swarm of zombies at a gas station, they then become stranded in the middle of a zombie-infested town and are forced to take refuge in a police station which is also crawling with dangerous monsters. After a brief meeting with Marvin and a few life-threatening encounters, they finally reach the save room located on the west side of the RPD's first floor.

Related

Resident Evil: Best Running Gags

Although Resident Evil is a survival horror franchise, the series still has its fair share of hilarious running gags. These are the best.

This area already looked incredible in the original, but Capcom really brought the room to life in the Resident Evil 2 Remake. The small details, such as the boxes lying around on the lockers and the messy table in the middle, all make this feel like a place that was once lived in, and which was probably regularly used on a daily basis before the outbreak started. The remake also added a nice detail where the classic save room memory would only begin playing once the lights were flicked on, which is a very welcome surprise, especially for longtime fans of the series.

2 East Storeroom (Resident Evil)

The Simplicity Of The East Storeroom Is What Makes It So Serene And Peaceful

At first glance, this room can seem a little basic, or even simplistic, but this is arguably why so many people have become fond of it. Because of how isolated the original Resident Evil is in its level design, it means that players constantly need to check corners and be as cautious as possible when moving around the environment since zombies and other monsters are always lurking in the shadows. Therefore, being able to have a simple room with a warm lantern, an item box, and a handy typewriter feels that extra bit more safe and secure when compared to the rest of the Spencer Mansion.

The original Resident Evil also relies heavily on its audio design to scare the player, especially with the creepy breathing of the zombies, or the wild screams produced by the Crimson Heads. This is another reason why this safe room resonates with people so much as the soft and relaxing melody gives players a chance to plan their next step while also easing their anxieties.

1 1F Palace (Resident Evil: Code Veronica)

Code Veronica's Palace Safe Room Is Dripping With An Unforgettable Gothic Atmopshere

While Claire does stumble across a typewriter or two during her escape from the Rockfort Island prison in Code Veronica, it's not until she manages to reach the Palace where she finds an actual save room with an item box. To be honest, this long stretch makes this particular room all the more comforting since it really does feel like it's the first time that Claire hasn't been hounded down by zombies or dogs since the game started.

It also helps that Code Veronica's save room theme, A Moment of Relief, is a somber track that immediately puts players at ease with its low tempo and faint piano keys. The room also stands out because it contains a few valuable documents for players to find, along with a puzzle door that can be opened after retrieving the golden lugers from Steve a little later down the line.

More

Resident Evil: The Fates Of Every Major Playable Character

There have been plenty of playable characters across the Resident Evil franchise. What's happened to each of them?