Resident Evil

The t-Virus has a substantial and powerful effect on plants as well as animals, as this giant, aggressive, carnivorous plant proves. In May 1998, an Umbrella scientist named Henry Sarton injected a plant living in the Dormitory on the Spencer estate with the t-Virus, seemingly out of curiosity as part of a controlled experiment. The mutated plant proved unique, unlike any of their other plant-based test subjects. It grew massively and quickly took over a part of the Dormitory called ‘Observation Point 42’. As such, the floral mutation came to be known as Plant 42. The researchers observed with interest as the t-Virus triggered increased intelligence in the plant; it began acting on its own, blocking doors by wrapping its vines around doorknobs to prevent them from being turned.

The roots of Plant 42 buried deep through the wood and concrete in the residence, and it began feeding on the chemical-rich water of the Aqua Ring below, which likely promoted the plant’s rapid growth. But it also started to obtain nutrients from living flesh, particularly humans. Though its huge, bulb-like body was fixed in place and could not be moved – in this case, rooted into the ceiling of the guest room in the Dormitory – it could expand its vines across the building and use cracks in the flooring to attack passing staff members. If the plant sensed movement, those tendrils quickly wrapped around its chosen prey and held it tight; suckers on the back of the vines then began feeding on its victim’s blood. By May 21, Plant 42 had already captured and drained several researchers of their blood.

Henry Sarton and his team realised that Plant 42 was sensitive to a chemical called UMB № 20, otherwise known as V-JOLT, which weakens its cellular structure. A plan was devised to destroy it, or at least sharply decrease its vitality, which involved feeding V-JOLT directly to its roots. However, the plan was not carried out, either because of the escaped Neptunes in the flooded Aqua Tank chamber below or because of the deterioration of the researchers’ mental and physical health from t-Virus infection. In any case, the remaining Umbrella scientists on the estate either died or became zombies, and Plant 42 grew unhindered and without limit.

When you start to explore the Dormitory in Resident Evil Remake, there’s plenty of evidence that you will soon battle a giant plant. Tendrils are reaching through holes in the floor for a start, and you find a report that tells you how Plant 42 came to seize the Dormitory as its own. You won’t be able to fight it until you’ve been down to the Aqua Ring, however.

To defend itself, the plant will whip at intruders with thorny vines or attempt to seize them around the neck and strangle them with its incredible strength. Additionally, the t-Virus has enabled Plant 42 to secrete acidic sap. When under attack, it may close its five large petals around the main bulb as a sort of shield to protect itself. However, it is still just a plant at its core and, as such, is highly susceptible to fire. Its roots are also unprotected and can be killed if the V-JOLT chemical is applied to them.