Parasite Eve

by Square, Square Electronic Arts

A landmark hybrid of survival horror and action RPG, Parasite Eve follows rookie NYPD officer Aya Brea over six days during Thanksgiving week 1997 as Manhattan descends into chaos. The mitochondria — sentient cellular engines — have turned on their hosts, igniting people from the inside and birthing grotesque mutations. Square's cinematic blend of pre-rendered streetscapes, ATB-style combat, and gun customisation pioneered a genre niche no other studio quite cracked.