Having spent a great deal of time with Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles, I decided to take the plunge in to the venerable RE series, starting of course with the first Resident Evil (in it's Gamecube remade form). 

And after a suitably cheesy intro movie, I found myself in the dark and mysterious mansion walking towards a wall, no wait stop walking and turn! no not backwards! go that way! THE OTHER WAY! fuck... the controls were hard to get used to... But I knew they would be. So I eventually shamble in to a room with DUN DUN DUN.... A ZOMBIE! I leap in to action, turning away and walking just far enough that the camera switches view points. I am slowly devoured while I swipe at a wall with my knife.

Oh I know what you're thinking. Don't worry stof, the controls take a bit of getting used to, but in a few minutes you'll be walking in to a wall, turning in the wrong direction and leaving the room backwards LONG before the zombie has a chance to kill you. And I'm sure that's the case. I'm sure I'll thoroughly enjoy many hours of zombie killing and surviving horror. But not yet. I decided to try something different. I decided to try Eternal Darkness.

Crap. Holy crap. Holy holy holy K-rap. Eternal Darkness is one of the most polished, atmospheric and engaging games I've ever played. It's as creepy as it is exciting. The insanity features are one of the greatest gaming features I've encountered and the controls... They work. Running around and combat feel so fluid and responsive (with the exception of the 3 head guys, who I seem to just stand in front of not connecting my sword with anything). This is easily my most favourite horror game of all time. I'm happy. Oh so happy.

And after I'm done Eternal Darkness, I'll give RE another go. I know I'll end up loving that game, just not nearly as much as Eternal Darkness.

And that is all.

Umbrella Chronicles was your first Resident Evil?! For shame.
A lot of people don't like old school RE. If you fall in with that bunch then RE4 might be more to your liking.

I've yet to play Eternal Darkness. It's hard to find >_>

Great choice, both are great.

I think REmake is a much better game though. Sure the controls take some time, but once you're used to it RE is a much deeper game, due to the insanely high difficulty. The puzzles are amazing, often stretched around big area's and you'll have to be very conservative with your ammo, or you will get into big trouble. Oh yeah: Make absolutely sure to play as Jill in your first playthrough.

Eternal Darkness is awesome as well, great story and the different character system is very unique. I only find RE much more rewarding. It was one of the few times I was actually proud I finished a game, lol.

I'm prepared for the higher difficulty in RE (partly because of insane ammo and enemy confrontations, party because of those damned controls!) But I'm not exactly the kind of guy who thinks harder is better. I picked Hiking for the game question (easier difficulty) on RE for just that reason. I want to experience the game, not necessarily experience the same hall way 20 times.

Eternal Darkness is a great game.

If RE isn't to your liking (especially if controls are the issue), then the RE4 wiimake might be better for you

RE was great, I never had control issues on that game.

Eternal Darkness I started playing but somehow the controls didnt work for me that well.

I need to pick up Eternal Darkness, I've only heard great things and just never got around to getting it. I want to pick up the REmakes 1-3 on GC eventually since I recently got them on PS1... with no PS1 (or 2) to play them on at the moment. RE1 on DS (I supported RE1 on DS you losers who didn't buy it >_

@ Maxwell. the RE Remake on Gamecube is an amazing remake, but 2 and 3 are just the PS1 games. You probably already know that though so... carry on.