Resident Evil: 12 Characters Corrupted by Power, Viruses, and Madness

Summary

Characters in Resident Evil can become corrupted by viruses or plaga, leading to power obsession and evil deeds.
Krauser, Salazar, and Marguerite are examples of characters who had their minds warped over time.
From power obsession to losing one’s humanity, Resident Evil characters face internal battles due to infections.

In the world of Resident Evil, characters aren’t just prone to physical transformations due to viruses or plagas; their minds can also succumb to corruption more easily than one might expect. Amidst constant fear of bio-organic weapons and zombie outbreaks, power and ambition can seize control more swiftly than normal. Throughout the series, several characters have unfortunately fallen prey to such influences.

On a different note, others yearned for an ordinary life, but were tainted by a mysterious infection that eventually took control of their thoughts, compelling them to perform wicked acts under the manipulation of a hidden power. Characters in the Resident Evil series have shown this gradual transformation of mindset and perspective, with these individuals serving as the most notable examples.

8. Krauser

Krauser Let His Obsession With Gaining More Power Turn Him Into A Monster

Jack Krauser is a character who made his debut in the story through the spin-off game titled Darkside Chronicles, specifically during the Operation Javier mission. At first glance, Krauser appeared as a serious and stoic soldier with a seemingly good heart. However, this perception shifted dramatically when his arms were crushed by a massive Bio-Organic Weapon (B.O.W), leaving him dependent on his comrade Leon for rescue.

The disastrous event known as Operation Javier profoundly alters Krauser’s perspective on life, causing him to grow increasingly fixated on amassing power. This obsession reaches an extreme when he abducts Ashley in a desperate bid to win Saddler’s trust and increase his own strength. Although the reimagined version of Resident Evil 4 leaves some ambiguity about whether Krauser sides with Wesker or not, one consistent aspect is Leon’s stunned reaction upon encountering the vicious beast that his former mentor has transformed into.

7. Ramon Salazar

Salazar Became A Prime Target Of Saddler’s When He Was Recruiting For His Cult

From Resident Evil 4

Despite the wicked actions portrayed by Raymond Saddler in both the original Resident Evil 4 and its remake, it’s intriguing to consider that he was once an ordinary young boy who lived a relatively normal life. In fact, his upbringing as an orphan, with just his butler for company during most of his childhood, might have been misleading to those who knew him back then. However, everything changed dramatically when the leader of the Los Illuminados, Saddler himself, entered Raymond’s life by chance.

Through making Salazar believe that his ancestors had wrongfully imprisoned the Las Plagas parasite, Saddler successfully unleashed it among the villagers and enlisted a trusting young Salazar to aid him in this endeavor. Essentially, Saddler had manipulated Salazar’s thoughts, transforming him into one of his most devoted followers.

6. Steve Burnside

Steve Begins Lashing Out At Claire With A Barrage Of Deadly Strikes After Becoming Infected

As the narrative of Code Veronica unfolds, it gradually emerges that Steve, who Claire encounters post-escape from her cell, harbors a growing affection for Redfield. Despite his clumsy demeanor and struggles in combat, Steve consistently puts himself on the line to shield Claire. However, their fortunes take a turn for the worse soon after they crash-land at an Umbrella base stationed in Antarctica.

In a deeply emotional moment, we discover that Steve has contracted the T-Veronica Virus, causing him to transform into a massive green mutant. His self-control seems to have been eroded significantly by this powerful virus, as it compels him to attack Claire with a large axe. Despite his resistance at the final moment, the virus’s strength ultimately leads to Steve’s demise following the conclusion of his violent rampage.

5. Bitores Mendez

The Village Chief Was Turned Into A Tyrannical Ruler Due To Saddler’s Cult

From Resident Evil 4

In the original Resident Evil 4, Mendez’s backstory is briefly hinted at, but it’s delved into further in the remake through a secret note discovered in the chief’s mansion. It transpires that Mendez was initially a compassionate and benevolent leader of the village, spending his days teaching children to read and joining the villagers in song during daylight hours. However, this all shifted when Saddler and the mysterious figures in black garments arrived, gradually exerting their control over the village, transforming its inhabitants into the mindless creatures that Leon meets on his adventure.

Concerning Mendez, he was assigned a Dominant Plaga role, which meant although he reported to Saddler, he retained the ability to make his own decisions, despite being heavily influenced by Saddler. It’s surprising to consider that Mendez, who appears quite unkind in the main story, was once a compassionate and kind individual.

4. Jack Baker

Eveline Slowly But Surely Worked Her Way Into Jack’s Mind, Turning Him Into A Violent Killer

In the early stages of “Resident Evil 7”, Jack is persistently pursued and nearly defeated by Ethan, only to be put down permanently. However, players don’t see the last of Jack; towards the game’s end, Ethan is unexpectedly roused from a strange state of consciousness by none other than Jack, who surprisingly appears more cordial than his usual self.

In this short sequence, Jack discloses that Eveline, who turns out to be an artificially created Bio-Organic Weapon (B.O.W), had been secretly controlling his body. The Daughters expansion offers players the opportunity to witness this metamorphosis unfold live, and it’s quite unsettling to observe a character lose their sanity without even being aware of it.

3. Marguerite Baker

The Sweet And Innocent Marguerite Fell Under The Influence Of The Insidious Eveline

From Resident Evil 7: Biohazard

In Resident Evil 7, players can delve deeper into how Eveline’s influence impacts Marguerite, much like it does her husband. Detailed documents reveal findings from an X-Ray scan of Marguerite’s brain, conducted after Eveline began exerting control. These scans show black spots of a mysterious mold substance scattered throughout her brain. By this time, however, Marguerite was already too far under Eveline’s sway to show concern.

By the time Ethan encounters her, Marguerite is a mere shadow of her past self, aimlessly roaming near the Baker outhouse, always on guard for anyone daring enough to trespass on her land. In the story, Marguerite was unwillingly turned into the ominous figure of Eveline’s “mother,” adding an eerie touch to the series’ characters.

2. Alcina Dimitrescu

Believe It Or Not, Dimitrescu Was Once A Jazz Singer Before Becoming A Vampiric Mutant

As a fervent admirer, let me share a fascinating perspective on Lady Dimitrescu: Before she ruled with terror from her colossal castle, she was simply a member of the band Miss D and the Pallboys, strumming jazz tunes in a different era. It wasn’t until she came under Miranda’s care and fell victim to the Cadou parasite that her peaceful existence took a violent turn, transforming her into the imposing vampire lord we know today. Yet, beneath this terrifying facade, there’s a hint that Dimitrescu was once just an ordinary human, living a life far removed from the chilling dominion she now holds.

The Cadou not only changed Dimitrescu’s appearance significantly, particularly in terms of her towering height, but it also made her dependent on consuming fresh sources of blood to manage her unique blood disorder. Although players don’t get a glimpse of Dimitrescu during her music career days, they encounter the menacing aspects of her character, which emerged solely due to Miranda’s manipulation and interference.

1. William Birkin

Birkin Would End Up Losing His Mind Due To His Own Experiments

William Birkin, the chief developer of the lethal G-Virus, had an opportunity to witness the results of his latest creation personally when he injected himself with it while surrounded by Umbrella agents. However, his body soon underwent grotesque transformations due to the virus, and despite his attempts to resist its control over his mind, things did not turn out well for him in the end.

Example: Since Sherry was a perfect host for the G-embryo, Birkin would persistently search for her, even though a part of him acknowledged her as a fellow human being. However, his pursuit was ultimately futile as the influence of the G-Virus took hold on both his mind and body – a creation he himself had brought into existence.

2025-03-30 16:27