Chris Redfield has been a big player in theResident Evilseries ever since the very first game when he became tangled up in a zombie-infested mansion alongside his S.T.A.R.S colleagues. Since then, he’s become one ofthe franchise’s main protagonistswho has experienced his fair share of horrific adventures, but while Chris is mostly well-known for his combat capabilities, he also has a pretty clever way with words.
Sometimes, these small lines can come as a result of Chris trying to share his wisdom with those around him, but it can also be a quote that expands upon Chris' character or even just a funny quip that he’s randomly let out at some point or another. Either way, this ranking is going to cover some of the most memorable and iconic quotes that have ever been spoken by the immensely popularResident Evilprotagonist, Chris Redfield.
Though theResident Evilseries has become renowned for its tongue-in-cheek humor, the first game feels a lot darker and serious due to its environment, atmosphere, and music, compared to some future titles. Thankfully though, there are still a few funny lines sprinkled throughout the plot which help to break the tension, with one of the most iconic being this hilarious comment Chris makes after encountering the Tyrant.
By this point in the story, Chris will have faced down numerouszombies and B.O.Ws, including a giant shark, an invisible snake, and more than a few bloodthirsty Hunters. It therefore doesn’t seem too out of place for Chris to be saying this, considering he would probably fancy his chances of survival a lot more than when he first stepped foot into the mansion, making for a comical quote that proved Chris still has a goofy side underneath that stoic exterior.
Chris is known for being someone who dearly values trust and loyalty in his companions, which is something he only came to acknowledge after his many escapades with his old partner,Jill Valentine. Not only does he want his comrades to know that they can count on him for support, but Chris also ensures he’s always there for his friends when they need him most, something which he has proved time and time again through his actions.
By far the biggest example of this though came from Jill herself who, in an attempt to save Chris from being killed, threw herself out of a window while grabbing Wesker, and though this didn’t end up killing him, it was still a heroic act which proved just how close Jill and Chris really are. This event clearly had a big impact on Chris, and when he meets his new companion Jessica inRevelations, he makes sure to echo this sentiment, which means so much to him.
Even though Wesker betrayed all of his S.T.A.R.S allies in the originalResident Evil, the one survivor who took it to heart the most was Chris, and as a result, it forged an epic rivalry between the two which would become reignited inCode Veronica. During the two’s final face-off in the game, Wesker tries to mock and belittle Chris, seeing him as nothing more than an irritable thorn in his side.
Chris however is quick toremind Wesker about his past sinsby referencing how not every S.T.A.R.S member made it out of the whole Spencer Mansion fiasco in one piece. It also shows just how deeply Chris cares about taking down Wesker, while also implying that the reason he feels so dedicated to this personal vendetta is in order to avenge his fallen comrades.
A huge component of Chris' character arc throughout the games has been how he comes to accept loss, especially the deaths of those whom he fails to protect. This has happened several times, but after Piers manages to snap Chris out of his depression at the beginning ofResident Evil 6, it feels as though the once legendary S.T.A.R.S. and BSAA member was finally back on his feet. Chris says this quote to his new team during the operation in Edonia, and while it seems simple on the surface, it’s a subtle form of foreshadowing, since it’s not long after this that Chris loses nearly his entire team tothe new C-virus.
In relation to the wider context of Chris as a character, this quote is a haunting reminder that no matter how hard he tries, it’s not always possible for Chris to save everyone he cares about, as much as he would like to. Thankfully, he has seemed to have a little more success inResident Evil Villagewith his brand new Wolf Squad, but it wouldn’t be much of a surprise if these new teammates also meet their ends at some point in the future while under Chris' command.
Just like any human being, Chris has a lot of faults as a person. He’s brash, hot-headed, and sometimes a little too stubborn for his own good, but beneath it all, is a man who genuinely cares about protecting the world from bio-terror and cleaning up the remnants of what Umbrella left behind. He doesn’t actually express these underlying feelings very often, but one quote that demonstrates how far Chris is willing to go is one said when he comes face to face with Wesker at the end ofResident Evil 5.
At this point in the plot, Wesker had become hell-bent on causing mass genocide in order to create a world where only the “strong” could survive. Despite Wesker’s superhuman powers and abilities, Chris shows no fear when confronting him, and even admits to himself the only time he will stop pursuing Wesker and intercepting his evil schemes will be when he’s no longer alive and kicking.
This is a pretty clever quote that was inserted during the Wolf Squad Raid mission near the end ofVillage. During a rare moment of reflection, Chris asks a simple question to one of his colleagues, “When does it end?”. Right after, he claims he’s referring specifically to the missions regarding the Mold and Mother Miranda, but it also subtly hints at the fact that Chris has been fighting these sorts of monsters for much of his adult life.
It’s clear the constant fighting is starting to tire him out, yet he’s still fully aware that he’s one of the only people on the planet with enough knowledge and experience to deal with these sorts of bio-terror threats whenever they pop up,which tends to be very often in this dangerous game universe. It could even be taken as a line that attempts to break the fourth wall, almost as if Chris is speaking directly to his creators at Capcom and asking how much more torment they can realistically put him through.
