Licker

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Licker
Resident Evil character
LickerCreature.jpg
Licker from Resident Evil 2 (1998) as seen in Resident Evil 2 (2019)
First appearanceResident Evil 2 (1998)
Created byNoboru Sugimura

The Licker (リッカー rikkā) is a fictional creature from Capcom's Resident Evil series. It first appeared in the video game Resident Evil 2. It has appeared outside video games, including in films. It is one of the most iconic creatures in the game series,[1] as result of a further mutation in zombies infected with certain strains of T-virus. This process is known as V-ACT. The Licker is noted for its large, exposed brains; lack of skin; sensitivity to sound and their eponymous tongues.

The Licker has lost the use of its eyes and cannot track prey by sight. Their super-developed hearing, however, more compensates for the loss. Upon detecting potential prey it will attack full force with teeth, tongue and claws, often alerting others of its kind in the vicinity as well. Weapons that emit very little sound, such as the bowgun, are especially useful.

There are also different forms of Licker. Once it has ingested flesh it will mutate into a stronger, faster hunter. It has been regarded by critics as the most terrifying monster in Resident Evil.

Characteristics and design[]

During the interview of Masato Miyazaki of how Capcom used motion capture to bring monster like Licker into life, he said that "We were able to hire a fantastic stuntman who did great work for us in the past in animating the Licker enemy from Resident Evil 2."[2] The Licker came into existence at some point after the Crimson Head Prototype 1's creation, when the V-ACT process was underground research. By 1998, they were undergoing research at the Raccoon City Underground Laboratory as potential bio-weapons.[3][4] During the Raccoon City Destruction Incident, the creatures made their way to the Raccoon Police Station, which the Raccoon Police Department (RPD) officers encountered throughout the building. It was there that the name "Licker" was given by the officers, due to its incredibly long tongue which can kill or injure people at a distance especially when climbing through walls or ceilings. Also during the same outbreak, a potent variant of the T-virus infected the water supply at the Apple Inn hotel, creating a large number of the creatures.[4][5]

According to producer Hiroyuki Kobayashi, on Creatures from Resident Evil 2 returning to the 2019 remake said that "The alligator boss, the licker's first appearance... those are all in there" and stating that "The licker for example. In the E3 build, you reach the corridor where you expect the licker to appear. There's evidence it's been there: a body hanging from the ceiling, claw marks on the wall, another body torn apart by claws. But he's not actually there".[5] It was also created to be the most iconic moments in the series.[6]

Appearances[]

The Licker appears in several Resident Evil video games. Its first appearance was in Resident Evil 2,[1] in Resident Evil 5, another type of mutated Licker "type B" which has more abilities of hearing. The Licker returned in the 2019 remake and 2020 remake as a remaster of the game to prove and make the graphics look more modern, including the creature[7][8] and Resident Evil Resistance.[9] The Licker also appeared in the Resident Evil films,[10] such as Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City,[11] and including a fan made game Resident Evil 2 Remake VR Project, where the players are able to pet Lickers.[12]

Reception[]

According to Metro, the Licker looks like an Alien from the Metroid series, and reminded them of the Xenomorph from Alien: Isolation,[13] and also praised the creature especially in the Resident Evil 2 Remake,[14] While VG247 described it as "nightmarish".[15] According to GameSpot, Akuma from Street Fighter should be placed in Resident Evil 2 to deal with the Licker, also stating that "addition could prove a humorous and unexpected way to experience the horrors of Raccoon City".[16] Destructoid said that the Licker was Resident Evil 2's most fearsome monstrosity[17] and also said that "Those distant memories of the introduction of the Licker and the bishop plug (a personal favorite) are about to become someone's new, happy horror moment".[18] Licker was also remade by fans to be pet on the fan-made game as VR.[12] Peter Brown of GameSpot listed licker as the Gaming's Greatest Monsters.[19] Aaron Potter of Den of Geek described licker as the best Resident Evil monster, being described as "Arguably not just one of the scariest but also one of the most iconic monster designs to come out of Resident Evil."[20] IGN staff described the introduction of Licker in Resident Evil 2 as the most terrifying scares in video games, and stated "The lead up to your first encounter with a licker in Resident Evil 2 signposts exactly what you’re in for."[21] Adam Beach of Screen Rant described Licker as the most dangerous enemy in the Resident Evil series.[22]

A 9-inch plush depicting Licker has been made.[23]

References[]

  1. ^ a b "Resident Evil 2 shows the new and improved Licker". Destructoid. 8 October 2018. Retrieved 2019-07-02.
  2. ^ "How Capcom used motion capture to bring Resident Evil Village's scariest monsters to life". 20 July 2021.
  3. ^ "Resident Evil: 10 Scariest Moments in Series History". Game Rant. 2016-10-27. Retrieved 2019-07-02.
  4. ^ a b "Resident Evil: The Many Looks of the Infected - IGN" – via www.ign.com.
  5. ^ a b O'Brien, Lucy (2018-06-19). "E3 2018: Resident Evil 2 Producers on the Classic Scenes You'll See in the Remake". IGN Southeast Asia. Retrieved 2019-07-02.
  6. ^ Bolt, Neil (2018-08-30). "The 'Resident Evil' Video Game Franchise Ranked: Part Two". Bloody Disgusting!. Retrieved 2019-07-02.
  7. ^ "Resident Evil 2 Remake Releases Licker Gameplay". Game Rant. 2018-10-10. Retrieved 2019-07-02.
  8. ^ "Resident Evil 3 Remake walkthrough - Carlos and the return to RCPD". April 3, 2020.
  9. ^ Robinson, Martin (September 12, 2019). "In Resident Evil spin-off Project Resistance you can play as Mr. X". Eurogamer.
  10. ^ Entertainment, Dead. "Rotting Reviews: Resident Evil is an Unbearable Film, But It Could Cure Depression". Dead Entertainment. Retrieved 2019-07-02.
  11. ^ "Resident Evil Welcome To Raccoon City: The 10 Best Kills In The Movie". ScreenRant. November 28, 2021.
  12. ^ a b "Pet a Licker in Resident Evil 2 fan-made VR project". Destructoid. 5 September 2017. Retrieved 2019-07-02.
  13. ^ "Games Inbox: Do you support the Metroid Prime 4 delay?". Metro. 2019-01-25. Retrieved 2019-07-02.
  14. ^ "Games Inbox: Have you played Resident Evil 2 remake yet?". Metro. 2019-01-25. Retrieved 2019-07-02.
  15. ^ "Lickers are as nightmarish as you remember in Resident Evil 2 Remake - hands-on". 8 October 2018.
  16. ^ "Why Akuma Needs To Be In The Resident Evil 2 Remake". GameSpot. Retrieved 2019-07-02.
  17. ^ "Resident Evil 2's Licker is slicker and quicker and sicker than the original's". Destructoid. 10 October 2018. Retrieved 2019-07-02.
  18. ^ "Here are Destructoid's most anticipated games of 2019". Destructoid. 8 January 2019. Retrieved 2019-07-02.
  19. ^ "Gaming's Greatest Monsters".
  20. ^ "15 Best Resident Evil Bosses and Monsters Ranked". Den of Geek. May 6, 2021.
  21. ^ "The Most Terrifying Scares in Video Games". IGN Southeast Asia. October 23, 2020.
  22. ^ "Resident Evil: The 10 Most Dangerous Enemies In The Series That Aren't Bosses". ScreenRant. May 20, 2021.
  23. ^ "'Resident Evil' Licker and Nemesis Plush Are up for Pre-Order". GAMING.
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