Yuix's House of Horrors: The House of the Dead Research Blog Part 1

 

“When there is no room in Hell, the dead will walk the Earth” - George A. Romero

Welcome to The House of the Dead Research Blog : Part 1 

Hi everyone, my name is Yuix. This is a passion project inspired by formatted threads and documents about characters and series’ that will follow a sequence of parts correlating to The  House of the Dead series. This blog's format may come off as particularly strange as this isn’t just a casual “creature breaks wood” feat list and “gun fires bullets” arsenal list.

This is a deep dive into the franchise not only just for VS statistics, feats and wafflings, but a chance for people to learn the simple yet interesting story of this series from start to end. So bare in mind when reading that this blog WILL NOT follow a standard blog format. Chapters will talk about what happens in the story before noting a feat list to organise when and where moments happen (and as to not cluster a humongous list of feats in that’ll hurt someone's eyes). 

The rest of what I have to say will tail in on this next segment, and all the way down in the credits! This is a fairly long read for what it’s worth. And yes, do feel free to share this around anywhere I haven’t got my grubby hands all over- without further ado… enjoy~!

Before We Start…

 This will be a multi-part respect thread styled research blog that will cover the corners of SEGA’s Arcade Horror franchise, The House of the Dead. This is done for fun, and for interest purposes. All work that isn’t done by me, Yuix, will be properly credited at the end of the blog.

For Part 1, I will be covering the first instalment of the series and any adaptations of this game. This includes: The House of the Dead 1, The House of the Dead 1 Remake & The House of the Dead Nightmare. For disclosure, they all follow the same story with no major alterations to the timeline of the franchise and are considered equally canon. We will take all findings from gameplay, statements, and any guides into consideration. With that said, thank you.

 Now enter…

 THE HOUSE OF THE DEAD!

1998.12.20

Background Story

A call beckons of the aid to the A.M.S. of a researcher from a DBR facility, Sophie Richards, who cried for help on the phone for any form of help to come rescue her and the others… as it seemed the mansion was under attack from none other than the undead! Curien’s Mansion was overrun by its very own experiments and test subjects, all led down to the very mad man behind it all. Doctor Roy Curien, who was hellbent on breaching the barrier between life and death! It was up to our star agents, Thomas Rogan and G, to save any and all researchers left and put to rest Dr. Curien’s madness..!

Chapter 1: Tragedy

Speeding to the rescue, agents Rogan and G find themselves at the cold iron entrance to Curien’s Mansion. Laid out before them was a long stretch of a yard to get to the main house (of the dead) and the wandering outbreak of DBR’s bio-engineered experiments. In which in an untimely demise of one researcher in front of our heroes, and the first of many gory undead kills, a notebook holstering information regarding the creatures that lurk ahead of us and their weaknesses alongside a photo of the entire research team. 

Without hesitation, Rogan and G set out to rescue Rogan's fiance, Sophie, from this outbreak. Only for the winged abomination, Hangedman, to swoop in to snag Sophie whilst taunting the agents of the unstoppable dangers that reside here, before swiftly flying off with her. Through many altering routes and turns, from sewers to main entrances. 

Axe throwers, monkeys, bats, moss-men, frogs and more were no match for the unwavering determination of the agents to save Sophie… in which they eventually find her on the floor of a fireplace lit room - Believing they finally got a hold of her until… A halberd wielding brute titled Chariot slams Sophie Richards to the wall and places her unconscious. Bullet after bullet did they finally break the beasts armour and blow them to skeletal chunks. 

Rogan and G rush to Sophie’s aid… before she shortly succumbs to her wounds. Fuelling our heroes to now not only stop Curien for the sake of a mission, but for all who fell victim to the mad scientist! Turning this tragedy into seeking revenge.

Chapter 2: Revenge

With the loss of Sophie, this professional investigation and rescue mission had turned personal. Rogan and G set their new objective for this monster filled mansion: Find Dr Curien. They would continue their crusade deeper into the mansion, more researchers clinging to the hope of escape. In due time, both agents find themselves by the roof of the mansion looking down on its central garden.

 With only one interruption- Hangedman proceeds to drop two scientists to their plummeting stone death and taunt our heroes that he will end them both here. As quick, nimble and dextrous the winged guardian and its bat swarms. They were no match for our heroes' precise aim and determination to avenge Sophie. Leading them deeper into the mansion as Hangedman falls to his death from succumbing to the numerous led pumped through his chest.

Chapter 3: Truth

Deeper into the mansion they went - Uncovering the front the mansion held to reveal the true intention behind its existence. Multiple areas of warehouses, fire zones, and plantations were all constructed with the intention to breach nothing more than the boundaries of bio-engineering. Rogan and G continued deeper on their trudged pursuit of Dr Curien. Through all security gates and the overrun laboratory, they finally reached what seemed to be a dead end. 

A greenery filled dome room where in the middle stood the one and only Curien. Commending their efforts, the genius would make his exit on his elevator platform and unleash the giant enemy spider. Hermit came crashing down, towering over both agents, to only crawl into the elevator tunnel Curien had exited through. After the arachnid attack, the pressing assault on Hermit came to an end as agents Rogan and G successfully took down the beast. Rushing ahead to finally put an end to Dr Curien’s madness.

Chapter 4: the house of the dead

Finally, after a full assault chase and slaying bio-engineered monstrosity after another, Rogan and G find themselves at the very bottom of Curien’s mansion. Powered by multiple reactors for a full blown futuristic laboratory, Rogan and G quickly dispatch whatever cybernetically enhanced creatures now linger in the bionic boggle that is a DBR Research Facility. 

After unlocking a security door through a generator room, it seems to be a clear straight path for our agents until none other than Chariot slams down from his earlier tragedy. Just as strong and tough as ever, and even in his second chance Chariot fell to the unwavering resolve of the A.M.S. agents. As if this weren’t enough, Hangedman immediately after Chariot's defeat flew in as a last line of defence for Dr Curien and began to enact its revenge! Unfortunately for him, Rogan and G were too quick on their fire to allow for Hangedman to fly high - Agents Thomas Rogan and G had successfully taken out both tyrants back to back once more! 

In their last home stretch, the very last sparks of Curien's revived army continue to be put out. As our agents finally made their way to the Bio-Reactor, the exact location of Dr Curien. Commending once again on the A.M.S. stubbornness, Dr Curien could only feel confident in his success as he unleashed the masterpiece dwelling inside of the reactor for his career…

This was none other than the Type-0 creation to bridge life and death, to destroy all! This was Magician. In his stirring consciousness and awakening. He finally spoke:

“Who are you? Nobody gives me instructions. I shall destroy everything!”

Before either party could react - A scorching ball of fire blasted into Curien, having been disobeyed by his very creation. Curien lived his last moments baffled by Magician’s power… to only die. This was no longer about bringing in Dr Curien, this was about shutting down this operation. Thomas Rogan and G had only one more objective: Eliminate Magician. Being led to an outside balcony by Magician blasting through to it… their fight began.

Curien’s masterpiece proved to be the ultimate battle that would decide the fate of the world! If our heroes failed then Magician would be free to do as he pleased in turning all to ash. Despite Magician’s blinding speeds, unnatural might, and tyrannical toughness - The Agents whittled down their final target, eventually forcing the masterpiece to begin erupting from the inside! Until… it was gone. Exploded into nothingness. Glass shattering and fading into the winds as if it had never been created.

The A.M.S. agents had successfully put a stop to Curien's madness and creatures. This outbreak was now contained - As the sun rose in their final fight, they could only look towards it before walking through the rooms of horror one last time… exiting it for good. To all those who lost their lives in this massacre, were given farewells. As for Curien, he shall never be forgotten by the A.M.S.

As they ready to leave the site, prepared to leave this all behind and onto another battle - One person still remained, shouting over to our heroes. Sophie Richards was standing there alive. Leaving with Thomas Rogan and Agent G into a better tomorrow… leaving behind The House of the Dead.

Feats

Through the long lasting horrors of the night, you may wonder what showings of strength, speed, and endurance has the cast shown! Now as we dive into the VS stuff, we’ll kick off with the feats across the Curien Mansion Incident of 1998:

• The A.M.S. Handgun is capable of blowing massive chunks out of creatures

• The Handgun is powerful enough to blast apart a stone sculpture

• Two Saruzou’s are strong enough to pull down a chandelier

• Cyril’s are capable of breaking down giant wooden doors

• The Handgun is capable of destroying steel barrels [A lot of barrels were shot in the making of this game]

• Chariot can shatter glass by force and slam Sophie Richards into unconsciousness in a hit

• The Handgun can shoot flesh clean off Chariot

• Creatures can bust down stone walls

• Rogan can kick down a full bookshelf

• Handguns can tear down entire bookshelves

• Magician flings a fireball hard enough to kill Dr Curien

• Magician blows up a giant hole in a steel wall / (Remake) 

• Magician is capable of conjuring mass amounts of fire

• Rogan and G are quick enough to shot axes out the air

• Rogan and G can shoot throwing knives out of midair

• Hangedman can fly at high speeds 

• Rogan and G are able to shoot laser daggers out of midair

• Magician moves fast enough to form multiple afterimages 

• Rogan and G can react to Magician’s fireballs and movement 

• Rogan can dodge Magician’s laser attack

• Rogan and G can survive being cleaved by axes

• Rogan and G can survive being bitten into by Sam

• Rogan can survive being punched into the sewer / (Remake)

[The ladder here led back to the continued path Rogan falls from, the ladders height would be how far Rogan fell]

• Creatures can survive chunks of their body and head being shot off

• Rogan and G can take cleaves from Chariots Halberd, which did this to Sophie

• Chariot’s armour can tank being shot at by bullets

• Chariot can survive parts of his body, including his head, being rendered to bone

• Chariot is capable of surviving without his internal organs

• Creatures such as Simon are able to survive several bullets from an A.M.S. Handgun

• Rogan and G can survive being chain-sawed by Samson

• Rogan can survive Hangedman slashing him at top speeds

• Rogan survives being punched by a cybernetic arm

• Rogan and G are capable of surviving being burned by a flamethrower

• Rogan and G manage to survive laser daggers slicing them

• Rogan and G can tank a giant iron ball being lobbed at them

• Magician’s armour can deflect bullets, and can survive several grenade launcher rounds

• Rogan and G can take hits from Magician’s fireballs

Artillery

During the course of this fateful night, Rogan and G wouldn’t have made it out of there alive without the necessary fire power to put down the undead for good! Thankfully with the resources from the A.M.S. organisation, they found themselves in plenty stock! All A.M.S. agents would share the same pool of weapons internationally, and then some, so here’s a showcase of their artillery:

A.M.S. Handgun	This heavily modified pistol is the A.M.S.’ bread and butter. It contains up to 6 bullets per magazine, and is customised for each agent's proficiency.  Despite its petite size, it leaves devastating results when fired. Capable of tearing up flesh and blasting brains of any creature standing in its aim. Seemingly never running out of ammunition either.
M92 Pistol	This is getting out of hand… Now there’s two of them! From a hell of a nightmare, this handy unlimited ammo pistol can wrestle as many bio-engineered nasties back to their test tubes!
G18 Machine Pistol	Singular shots? Boring! Why not unload rapidly like there’s no tomorrow! A quick and light auto fire handgun that comes in handy when a quick rain of bullets is all you need!
R-870 Shotgun	The shotgun is mightier than the pistol! A tactical loaded blaster that’ll leave any trace of the bio-experiments gone on the pull of a trigger.
M4A1 Carbine	Quick on the trigger, quick on its fire. This fully automatic rifle is military graded perfection with its precise shots.
AK47 Assault Rifle	An ol’ reliable. A rifle perfected and honed to take the fight in any conditions, dry, wet, hot or cold.
	Did somebody say boom? With decent range and absurdly fast launching speeds, any devious entity that comes face to face with this will be blown to smithereens!
	That’s 2 big booms! And with a longer range than its predecessor, yet a slightly slower firing rate - doesn’t let its power drop in the slightest!
Assault Rifle	When in need of something a little more powerful, look no further than this fully automatic rifle. It holds 36 bullets per magazine and can fire a full round in 4 seconds. It resembles that of a standard Military M16 rifle.
The Pitter	Put ‘em up! Pit this pitter against your pitiful enemies to pity their short demise! Fire 6 stakes that have the power to puncture and pin cushion any creature to the windows or the walls!
Crossbow	While the dead are walking, crank back an arrow and pierce some skulls! Take aim and fire with 6 arrows that’ll reek back any foes and stick it to them!
Grenade Launcher	Too many creatures? Here’s your solution! A grenade launcher capable of sweeping hordes of enemies in a single blast, holding up to 3 grenades per round. Its blast radius is far more potent than you think.
Minigun	The epiphany of go big or go home, why care about aim when you can mow down swarms of the undead with minimal effort, having an endless belt of bullets to become the ultimate creature killing machine.
Med Kit	Even with the dreary journey through the bio-engineered horrors, you won’t go unscathed. Littered around the mansion and given by saved researchers, these can heal our agents' lives.

Creatures 

Dr Curien may be mad, but he is a genius. Every creature he and the DBR created evolved to have forms of basic

intelligence to use an assortment of tools, tech and weapons, hone absurd superhuman strength and athleticism to

leap bounds or walls. Ranging from your average creature to the advanced higher engineered weapons.

Here’s a gallery of every single creature in our first instalment:

Type-A

A for average, the very base of what to expect in these revivified nasties! Your practical creature that will gnaw, claw or saw any part of you for a taste of flesh.

Sam	This one is serious - shambling for that next taste of living blood and to attack its victim with its claw-like swipes!
Nail	Missing from putting it in the coffin - He slumps across the ground and takes any swing at you to close in and gnaw on your bone!
Cyril	Debatably the most iconic- dual wielding axes for double the killing proves effective! Even with enough strength to fling axes from several metres away. You won’t want to be on the chopping block near them! And he is also in Wreck-It-Ralph

Type-B

Frail, that’s all you need to know. This type has long fallen into decomposition, and prefers to use the environment around them to sneak up and snag a swipe or bite at you!

Kageo	Mummified and revivified - Don’t let its frail looks make it less of a threat than it is! A master of sneak attacks..!
Bourbon	Being left to sit out for too long was definitely the cause of its fungal growth - Explaining its toughness for how skinny they look!
Ebitan-A	Water is its best friend, they lurk around corners or unsuspecting areas to hide and lunge for a potential bite! You need to think fast before this mosshead takes your head!
Ebitan-B	Takes “getting the drop on someone” a little too extreme - With its bladed dagger in hand, it crawls around small crevices or falls from above to shank whoever drops their guard!

Type-C

Curien’s ‘larger’ type of creations are capable of utilising tools and surroundings to stone wall any progression. Truly a tank on all things living - and when they lose their tools, it’s all about barging in!

Samson	A real chainsaw man, enough bulked body to hone such a revved murder weapon! Try not to let it keep a hold of that saw for too long.
Bentley	All that weight isn’t just fat and blubber, but rather muscle and barrel chucking power! They may turn a little shy when their prized throwing tool is shot down.
Burner	A real fire starter - Fused with a flamethrower, your hearts would be set ablaze in seconds if you stayed anywhere near this bloated beast!

Type-D

Why need brains when you can use your maximum brawn! Curien’s muscly bruisers hit hard, and are unfazed by all regular means of gunfire - try taking this type out first before they close in.

Simon	Biting? Scratching? None of that primal stuff. Straight up muscle! A mean sucker punch or two are sure to send anything in its way flying -  good luck trying to stun the creature!
Gilmore	Hammer down! Wielding a giant mallet of pure steel - You’d be pummeled into a pancake before you could say “braaiiiinsss”.
Harris	This moustache muscle man prefers to hang back and use their pure iron flail to pummel anything from afar! He should really try out for the Olympics.
Robert	When you thought things were bad as it were - Now they’re cybernetically enhanced! An arm made of armour seemingly impossible for regular bullets to puncture! Try not to get hit by the metal arm.

Type-E

This type is known for its dexterity and acrobatic proficiency, capable of quick lunge attacks or throwing anything on hand from afar. They’re a little too quick to be shot normally, so what out for their quick hit and runs!

Rubin	This nightmare on Curien street is as acrobatic as he is dapper - Preferring to leap bounds to cling on and impale you with one of its 10 finger blades!
Drake	This creature means business - rather than their up close and personal counterpart, they would rather leap high into the air and lob throwing knives at their unfortunate foe.
Moody	They have a mouth, and will not scream - As these futuristic looking creatures cybernetically enhanced and powered use their mechanical claw to shoot forward and grapple any victim!
Parlor	An undead cyborg with the augmentation of a laser daggers for a hand that they can chuck at its target. That’s what I call one hell of a butter knife!

Type-F

Humanoid creatures aren’t all Curien has! Animals come in many shapes and sizes as this type of creature reigns kingdom to feral and instinct.

Kenfis	Who let the dogs out? This gargoyle hound dog is Curien’s front gate security - with agility to count, you’d be their next dinner if you slip up!
Saruzou	The monkey tail? The monkey fist? The monkey! With the same chimpanzee ferociousness, you’d be a fool to think they’d go down easily! Try taking them out while they’re mid air…
Bouere	Seen around swamps and sewers, this little critter is sure to take any chunks of flesh you have!
Devilon	It wouldn’t be a scary mansion without bats to decor the whole place! These creatures are seen in swarms, and are the very pets Hangedman summons to his aid.

Type-G

These critters are categorised for their creepy, crawly and ‘cute’ness element. Even though they are fairly weak, it’s their numbers that may overwhelm anyone unsuspecting.

Murrer	Squishy, slimy and all things disgusting. These earth crawlers are too hungry - even hiding inside of other creatures to chest burst out of to get the surprise on you!
Name	Brushed against the walls of damp areas and corridors, you’d be better to quickly squash these isopod-esc infestations!
Taran	You might need more than some newspaper to fend off these little arachnids - the very same that Hermit controls. Maybe these are its babies… Gross!

Type-Background

This batch is uncategorised for a reason, as they only show up for the most part to fill in the background! Every series needs its fodder.

Ebitan-C	Moss filled and decayed to the core! You’ll be able to make quick work with this type of Ebitan from how far gone it has rotted.
Hanzou	Lurking deep in the shadows of the mansion, they snag any prey they can - showing behaviours similar to the Saruzou creatures, albeit a bit harder to kill.
Ivan	One of the three background creatures that trot the gardens of the mansion! Talk about an easy kill.
Shawn	Of the dead, they’ll stick to the background for good mileage across the mansion - makes for excellent target practice.
Vincent	A background creature with an outdated style that enjoys the scenery of the entrance a little too much - A nice number to Curiens masses.

Bosses

The Tarot Card Titled fiends. The strongest and toughest enemies you’ll ever face - while seemingly too tough to take down, they all hinder obvious weak spots wherever on their body. That being your only chance at harming them..! Don’t underestimate them because of that, they’re Curien’s best for a reason!

Type-27: Chariot	Our first showing of Curien’s extremes! With the power to flail anything around effortlessly. This masked menace means business! With a gigantic halberd axe and hulking out taller than anyone else - Chariot can flail around its axe to cleave those opposing it. Its weak point is located where its heart is. Shooting there will cause blood to splurt out - eventually causing Chariot to shed its armour and reveal its reanimated body.
Type-041: Hangedman	“Nobody leaves here alive!” The very creature to kidnap Sophie Richards. This maniacal bat-like humanoid is beaked to the brim with aerial acrobatics with its grand wing span - capable of summoning Devilons to block attacks. It’ll use its quick flight speeds to swoop in and slash at its victims, or scoop them up and drop them from the air!  Its body is capable of being damaged normally, however you’d be better focusing your aim to its chest where its weak point is highlighted. It’ll help interrupt its swing of attack!
Type-6803: Hermit	Curien’s very own guard dog? Guard spider? With its humongous body it can gobble up any human sized dinners with minimal efforts. It can shoot dense and high volumes of its own webbing as projectiles, and can control Taran’s as its very own children. To prevent it closing in - take aim at its head! If you had a giant newspaper, now would be the time to use it!
Type-0: Magician	“You… haven’t seen… anything… YET!” Dr. Curien’s masterpiece. The very epicentre and bridge between life and death with the harboured goal to destroy and resurrect anything… Having gone rogue and breaking out of his creator’s embedded commands to his bio-structure. He is without a doubt one of the most dangerous entities the A.M.S. will ever encounter. Being powered by the Bio-Reactor, this granted him: Enhanced Strength  Enhanced Speed High-Levelled Intellect - Shown to resist and break his programmed control from Curien in his awakening Levitation & Flight - Moves omni-directinally, creates after images. Pyrokinesis - Lobbed singularly, formed to slam into a target, or mass created into a downpour. Summoning - Allows him to summon a number of creatures to fight on his demand. Noxious Gas Creation - Confuses and stuns in place whoever it is summoned onto. Laser Projectiles - Rains down from the sky and blasts at the ground. While not documented on his records, Magician can only be harmed normally by shooting the exposed parts of his body (Left arm, Right bicep, Left thigh & Right leg). As his metallic body is shown to be tough enough to deflect bullets and remain unharmed. Keep an eye out for those blinding after images!

Summary

This may only be the first outbreak we’ve covered, and still there are some absolutely absurd showcases of strength, speed, and endurance. Along with the absurdity of the A.M.S’ arsenal! 

Agents:

• Wall to Building Level (Physicals and Weaponry)

• Supersonic to Relativistic+ Speeds (Reactionary and Combat)

• Resistances to Fire & Piercing Damage, and Paralysis (from Burner, Parlor and Magician’s attacks)

• Access to Military Grade Firearms, Explosives (Grenade Launchers), Healing (Medkits), Infinite Ammo (Handguns + Minigun)

• Endured the full Curien Mansion Incident from dusk til dawn without a break

• Proficiency in firearms showcased in being able to shoot foes from miles away

• Lack proper hand to hand combat

Magician + Bosses:

• Wall to Building Level (Physicals and Weaponry)

• Supersonic to Relativistic+ Speeds (Reactionary and Combat)

• Abilities such as Summoning (Hangedman, Hermit, Magician), Flight (Hanged Man, Magician), Laser Attacks (Magician), Pyrokinesis (Magician), Stunning Noxious Gas (Magician)

• Resistance to Mind Control (Magician breaking Dr Curien’s control through his bio-engineering)

• Bullet Proof Armour (Chariot, Hermit, Magician)

• Flight Speeds that reach Subsonic to Supersonic (Hangedman, Magician)

• Can survive multiple Explosives (from Grenade Launchers), and their body being blasted into chunks (Chariot)

  Credits

  

  
  

  Well! Part 1 is done - and while sure this will be a solo project, I still wouldn’t of been able to do this without the hand in efforts from both communities involved in helping my research and blog 

  
  

  Thank you to The Wiki of the Dead server and website for any particular information regarding the gallery resources of every creature, character and chapter of the franchise. 

  And a special thank you to Ninjamonkey, Blessedaura and ThiccGrimes for overviewing different stages of the docs development AND any queries along the way! Now… what next? I said this is Part 1, maybe it’s time we sink our teeth into the next game aka The House of the Dead 2 and its remake in Part 2. As always, be good people, stay safe, and RELOAD!

  Next Up…