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Nemesis (Resident Evil)

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Nemesis
Resident Evil character
Nemesis as seen in Resident Evil 3
First gameResident Evil 3: Nemesis

Nemesis (追跡者), also called the Pursuer,[1] is a fictional character in the Resident Evil series of video games. Created by Capcom, it first appears in Resident Evil 3: Nemesis, before later emerging in other titles and cameo roles. It is also featured on various merchandise and in the 2004 film Resident Evil: Apocalypse. The character is voiced by Tony Rosato in the game, and portrayed by Matthew G. Taylor in the film.[2]

Nemesis is a bio-organic weapon, created by the Umbrella Corporation as a form of super soldier. Designed as an improvement on Umbrella's previous Tyrant design, Nemesis can use weapons and think independently enough to overcome obstacles to complete its missions. Unleashed in Raccoon City, its orders are to kill all members of STARS task force on sight, with Jill Valentine as its primary target.

Since Nemesis's introduction, the character has received a positive reception, and has come to be regarded as one of the series' most popular characters. Publications such as GamePro have praised its role as an intimidating villain, while others such as IGN and GameDaily have noted it as one of their favorite and most terrifying monsters in video games. The general public also praised the character, earning it mention on G4's Filter and on GameSpot as one of their favorite villains of all time.

Conception and design

Introduced in Resident Evil 3, Nemesis was designed under the concept of a "huge, overpowering monster that could use weapons and [...] intelligently track you anywhere". During development, many different designs were considered. Although some elements remained constant among them, the early designs featured several different degrees of surface damage, as well as different options for clothing such as a protective vest instead of a coat or a nude design similar to the original Tyrant from Resident Evil.[3]

In the series' story, Nemesis is the result of infecting a Tyrant—a humanoid bioweapon created to be the ultimate life-form[4]—with a parasitic organism designed to increase its intelligence. Upon infection, the parasite takes control of the Tyrant's nervous system, forming its own brain and enabling it to follow precise instructions and make decisions without a need for constant direction. Clothed in black pants, overcoat, boots, and gloves, Nemesis is armed with a rocket launcher mounted on its left arm.[5] To emphasize its design as a prototype, the game developers left exposed muscles on its body and added stitches to cover the right eye.[6] Upon spotting its target, it says the target's name and attacks.[5]

The secretions from the parasite give Nemesis heightened regenerative abilities, though result in damage to the skin and the emergence of additional tentacles, as well as unpredictable mutations to withstand further attacks.[7] In Resident Evil 3, the creature's survival instincts eventually override Nemesis's attack programming, causing the host's body to reject the parasite and transform into a giant digestive organ. Featuring large central bone protrusions and elongated tentacles, it crawls looking for prey, yet continues trying to complete its mission despite its now diminished intelligence.[5] This design proved to be the most difficult for the game's development team, as they worked to try and make it appear as unique as possible.[6]

Appearances

File:Nemesis-RE3.jpg
Nemesis's ability to think and use weaponry presented a contrast to previous enemies in the series.

In video games

Nemesis first appears in Resident Evil 3 as the game's title character and primary antagonist. The product of years of research,[8] and named after the "Goddess of Vengeance", the prototype is deployed by the Umbrella Corporation to hunt and kill all surviving members of STARS as a field test and as revenge for the destruction of the original Tyrant.[6] The game’s protagonist, Jill Valentine, first encounters Nemesis outside Raccoon City’s police station where it kills Brad Vickers and then pursues her, uttering "STARS..." on sight. Nemesis continues to stalk Valentine throughout the game, attacking with physical blows and grabs, and with a rocket launcher if armed. After losing its overcoat as a result of heavy damage, Nemesis mutates, and gains the ability to attack with long, extendable tentacles. Despite later being doused in acid, Nemesis continues pursuit, and mutates into a much larger monster after absorbing a dead Tyrant, gaining the ability to spew poison. Jill finally destroys Nemesis using a rail cannon.[9]

Nemesis also appears in Resident Evil: Survivor 2, chasing the player if they fail to complete a level before the time limit expires and killing them instantly if it hits them; it can also be fought as a secret boss armed with a rocket launcher if the player has met the proper conditions upon completing the game.[10] Nemesis returns for the Resident Evil 3 chapter of Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles, in which it pursues Jill in the same manner as the original game and mutates into its secondary form for as a boss.[1] Alongside Jill, Nemesis also appears in the Capcom title Under the Skin,[11] and serves as a boss the player must steal coins from in a Raccoon City-inspired level.[12] Character cards for Nemesis additionally appear in SVC: Card Fighters' Clash 2 Expand Edition and its Nintendo DS sequel.[13]

In film

Nemesis is featured in the 2004 film, Resident Evil: Apocalypse, and portrayed by Matthew G. Taylor. The character's design was left relatively unchanged, brandishing a rocket launcher and similar attire, but with the addition of a forearm-mounted rail gun,[14] modeled after a heavily modified minigun. Director Paul W. S. Anderson noted that the gun's addition was inspired by the idea of Nemesis "walking around with a gigantic, powerful weapon in each hand and almost indecisive as to which one to use".[15] The costume for Nemesis was created by Kropserkel Inc. and PJFX Studios, and stands roughly 7 feet 3 inches (2.21 m) tall,[16] weighing nearly 100 pounds (45 kg).[17] After production of Apocalypse was completed, the costume was restored and put on display at Kropserkel's offices.[17]

While Nemesis's design remained similar, the character itself was expanded upon, now portrayed as a tragic villain. Formerly Matt Addison, a survivor of the events of the first film, he was infected with the T-Virus after being scratched by a Licker and later captured and experimented upon by the Umbrella Corporation. Transformed into Nemesis, he is sent to kill the surviving members of STARS, but remembers his humanity after fighting Alice, and fights alongside the films protagonists towards the film's conclusion.[18] Nemesis is eventually crushed beneath a helicopter, and is later killed by the nuclear explosion that destroys Raccoon City.[19]

In literature

File:Biohazard3-comic-Nemesis.jpg
In contrast to the film, literary depictions of the character have retained its role as an imposing antagonist

Nemesis appears in a 1999 Hong Kong manhua adaptation of Resident Evil 3 by Lee Chung Hing, which is named after the game's Japanese title, Biohazard 3: Last Escape. The twenty-seven-issue series adds to Nemesis's backstory, detailing its origin by showing the infection and transformation of the original Tyrant by the Nemesis parasite. Some elements are changed for its design, such as Nemesis retaining both eyes initially, losing the right eye and gaining cranial staples only after an encounter Jill.[20] The comic also introduces characters from Resident Evil 2 into the storyline, which results in a face-off between Nemesis and the mutated William Birkin towards the end of the series.[21]

In 2000, Simon and Schuster published a novelization of Resident Evil 3, written by S. D. Perry. Though left unchanged for the most part, Nemesis is immediately recognized as a modified Tyrant in the novel,[22] which Jill Valentine dubs Nemesis after thinking about why it hunts her.[23] Instead of mutating due to having taken damage, Nemesis mutates towards the conclusion of the story in its pursuit of Jill,[24] with its second form from the game being its actual appearance beneath the coat.[25]

A novelization of Apocalypse was released in 2004, written by Keith R. A. DeCandido. In the book, Matt and Nemesis act as separate personalities in the same body, both aware but with Nemesis dominant. Matt eventually regains control after his body is impaled on a metal shard while fighting Alice, by showing Nemesis his memories of Umbrella's experimentation upon him.[19] Nemesis is later mentioned in the 2007 novelization of Resident Evil: Extinction, in which Doctor Isaacs considers Nemesis his greatest success and his greatest failure, hating mention of it and blaming Umbrella's desire to immediately field test it for the failure.[26]

Cultural impact

Promotion and merchandise

Nemesis's appearance in Resident Evil 3 is promoted on the cover of every version of the game,[27] and mentioned prominently on flyers for Resident Evil: Survivor 2.[10] Capcom has also released commercial products modeled after the character, such as an adult size Halloween mask,[28] and later a silver ring modeled after Nemesis's head available for purchase through their Japanese online store.[29] Palisades Toys used its likeness to create a posable action figure, which was released alongside several other Resident Evil-based action figures, packaged with a base and equippable rocket launcher.[30] Moby Dick released its own line of Resident Evil action figures bundled in pairs of a playable character and enemy. Included in the series were Nemesis's first and second form, with the first form featuring an alternate head and equipable rocket launcher. Each set additionally included a part to an action figure of Nemesis's third form, which measures 24 inches (60 cm) long when completed.[31][32]

Critical reception

Following the game's debut in 1999, Nemesis has became one of the most recognizable and popular characters in the Resident Evil series. G4's Filter named Nemesis one of the top ten villains of all time as selected by viewers, placing fifth on the list.[33] IGN noted it as their favorite aspect of Resident Evil 3, stating, "The point is, he's a bad-ass, and he's got plenty of surprises in store for you besides just fast feet and a big gun".[34] In a later article, IGN noted Nemesis as one of their favorite video game monsters of all time, but felt disdain for its presentation in the film.[35] GameCritics.com described it as "creature that is unlike anything you've ever come across in the Resident Evil universe", noting it added "a level of tension that is very much welcome".[36] N-Europe lamented the lack of a graphics update for Nemesis in the GameCube re-release of Resident Evil 3, stating "Nemesis would have looked [awesome] with a graphical overhaul, he was freaky enough as it is had he changed he’d probably give you nightmares for weeks."[37]

GamePro ranked Nemesis 29th on their list of the 47 Most Diabolical Video Game Villains of All Time, noting the character "made RE3 memorable even among the other, superior installments in the series".[38] It ranked fourth on Electronic Gaming Monthly's Top Ten Badass Undead article, which described its role as a simple, yet effective villain.[39] GameSpot featured Nemesis in a "Reader's Choice" edition of their Top 10 Video Game Villains article, placing eighth on the list and noting the character's high popularity among fans when compared to the Tyrant.[40] GameDaily listed it as one of their favorite Capcom characters of all time, stating "The Resident Evil series has a slew of memorable bad guys to choose from...but Nemesis is our favorite."[41] Nemesis additionally ranked fifth on their list of Top 25 Scariest Video Game Monsters,[42] and was also named one of their favorite undead characters in video games.[43]

References

  1. ^ a b Capcom (2007-11-13). Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles (Wii). Capcom. Resident Evil 3 Digest 1 (Archive): A black-coated monster stood between them and their freedom. Nemesis, or the Pursuer, was intent on wiping out every last member of S.T.A.R.S. Nemesis had already made short work of Brad and continued to track Jill down to accomplish its mission objectives.
  2. ^ Comments on Resident Evil II Character: 'Nemesis'. MoviesOnline. Retrieved on 2009-01-09
  3. ^ Capcom Staff (2005). Resident Evil Archives. BradyGames/Capcom. p. 223. ISBN 0744006554.
  4. ^ Capcom Staff (2005). Resident Evil Archives. BradyGames/Capcom. p. 156. ISBN 0744006554.
  5. ^ a b c Capcom Staff (2005). Resident Evil Archives. BradyGames/Capcom. pp. 159–160. ISBN 0744006554.
  6. ^ a b c Resident Evil 3 development team (1999-11-13). Biohazard 3 Last Escape Official Guide Book. Aspect Co., Ltd./Capcom. {{cite book}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  7. ^ Capcom (2007-11-13). Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles (Wii). Capcom. Level/area: Nemesis T-Type (Pursuer) Notes.
  8. ^ Capcom (2001-03-22). The Wesker Report (Dreamcast). Capcom. Albert Wesker: It was our 11th summer since we arrived at the Arclay Laboratory./ A few days later, in the middle of the night, a parcel arrived from Europe via various transit points. It arrived to our heliport in a small box. "Nemesis Prototype"... {{cite book}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  9. ^ Capcom Staff (2005). Resident Evil Archives. BradyGames/Capcom. pp. 61–69, 160. ISBN 0744006554.
  10. ^ a b Gun Survivor 2 - Biohazard Code: Veronica. The Arcade Flyer Archive. Retrieved on 2009-01-09
  11. ^ Under the Skin. IGN. Retrieved on 2008-12-15
  12. ^ Bramwell, Tom (2004-10-18). Under the Skin Review. Eurogamer. Retrieved on 2009-01-05
  13. ^ SNK Playmore (2007-04-24). SNK vs. Capcom: Card Fighters DS (Nintendo DS). Level/area: Nemesis card description. Official name: Nemesis Type T. A parasite was successfully added to the Tyrant model bioweapon who stalks STARS {{cite book}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  14. ^ Downey, Ryan J. (2004-02-12). Milla Jovovich Battles Zombies, Bloody Hands On 'Resident Evil: Apocalypse' Set. MTV. Retrieved on 2008-12-15
  15. ^ Walker, Jeremy. Resident Evil: Apocalypse - Production Notes. Jeremy Walker & Associates. Retrieved on 2009-01-09
  16. ^ Resident Evil: Apocalypse Nemesis costume. Kropserkel. Retrieved on 2008-12-17
  17. ^ a b Custom Display Services. Tom Spina Designs. Retrieved on 2008-12-17
  18. ^ Collura, Scott (2007-09-21). Resident Evil Movies Character Rundown. IGN. Retrieved on 2008-12-14
  19. ^ a b DeCandido, By Keith R. A. (2004), Resident Evil: Apocalypse. Simon & Schuster. ISBN 0-743-49937-9. pp. 148-149, 247, 257
  20. ^ BioHazard 3: Last Escape, vol. 1 (1999). Hong Kong: Lee Chung Hing.
  21. ^ BioHazard 3: Last Escape, vol. 21 (1999). Hong Kong: Lee Chung Hing.
  22. ^ Perry, S. D. (2000). Resident Evil: Nemesis. Simon and Schuster. p. 60. ISBN 067178496X.
  23. ^ Perry, S. D. (2000). Resident Evil: Nemesis. Simon and Schuster. p. 72. ISBN 067178496X.
  24. ^ Perry, S. D. (2000). Resident Evil: Nemesis. Simon and Schuster. p. 148. ISBN 067178496X.
  25. ^ Perry, S. D. (2000). Resident Evil: Nemesis. Simon and Schuster. p. 140. ISBN 067178496X.
  26. ^ DeCandido, By Keith R. A. and Paul W. S. Anderson (2007), Resident Evil: Extinction. Simon & Schuster. ISBN 1-416-54498-4. pp. 18-19
  27. ^ Resident Evil 3: Nemesis - Cover Art. MobyGames. Retrieved on 2009-01-15
  28. ^ Resident Evil Deluxe Nemesis Mask. HalloweenMask.com. Retrieved on 2008-12-16
  29. ^ バイオハザード　シルバーリング　”追跡者”. Capcom. Retrieved on 2008-12-15
  30. ^ Raving Toy Maniac, Resident Evil Action Figures (Series One) by Palisades. toymania.com. Retrieved on February 9, 2008.
  31. ^ BOX TYPE LINEUP (via Wayback Machine, in Japanese). Moby Dick. Retrieved on 2009-01-14
  32. ^ BIOHAZARD (in Japanese). Moby Dick. Retrieved on 2009-01-14
  33. ^ Mizota, Diane. Filter. G4. Event occurs at Top 10 Villains list. {{cite AV media}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); |format= requires |url= (help); Unknown parameter |date2= ignored (help)
  34. ^ Perry, Doug (1999-11-11). Resident Evil 3 Review. IGN. Retrieved on 2008-12-14
  35. ^ Schedeen, Jesse (2008-10-31). The Monsters of Gaming. IGN. Retrieved on 2008-12-26
  36. ^ Weir, Dave (1999-11-29). Resident Evil 3: Nemesis. GameCritics.com. Retrieved on 2008-12-14
  37. ^ Hughes, Franklin (2003-06-22). Resident Evil 3 GameCube Review. N-Europe. Retrieved on 2008-12-15
  38. ^ Staff, GamePro (Online) (2008-02-24). "The 47 Most Diabolical Video-Game Villains of All Time". PC World. Retrieved 2008-06-18. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  39. ^ Scott Sharkey, “EGM’s Top Ten Badass Undead: Thriller Night,” Electronic Gaming Monthly 233 (October 2008): 106.
  40. ^ Staff. TenSpot Reader's Choice: Top Ten Video Game Villains. GameSpot. Retrieved on 2008-12-31
  41. ^ Top 25 Capcom Characters of All Time. GameDaily. Retrieved on 2008-12-25
  42. ^ Top 25 Scariest Video Game Monsters GameDaily. Retrieved on 2008-12-25
  43. ^ Halloween Zombie Awards. GameDaily. Retrieved on 2008-12-25

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