Civilians

Multiple universes
(Main series and Spin-offs)

A group photo of DBR researchers, as shown in the stage result screen of The House of the Dead.

Civilians are unplayable characters found throughout the main House of the Dead video game series. They award players extra lives if rescued from creatures, but will also deduct one life when accidentally shot.

In the first two games, the survival or death of a civilian may alter the player's route through a chapter. Saving enough civilians at the end of a chapter grants life bonuses; if all are rescued, a secret room filled with life and point bonuses is entered prior to the final boss.

With humanity's collapse in The House of the Dead III, 4, and Special, civilians are absent. Instead, III features "Rescue Events" where a player must save his or her partner from zombies. Doing so grants a life bonus; successfully completing all "Rescue Events" opens a secret room with collectibles in the final stage. Civilians return in House of the Dead: Scarlet Dawn, but are less frequent and are handled differently.

Zombie Revenge, a spin-off game, features only one civilian named Yoko. Her fate determines the game's ending.

Appearances

The House of the Dead

In the original game, civilians are DBR Corporation researchers who worked for Dr. Curien. Many left him because of his inhumane experiments and obsession with curing his terminally-ill son. Curien went mad, unleashing his test subjects upon remaining team members.

Researchers in peril are found throughout the first three chapters. If rescued, some give security cards to unlock different areas of Curien's mansion and laboratory.

The House of the Dead 2

The sequel involves the residents of a large, unnamed city who are trapped in Caleb Goldman's outbreak. Children, adults, and the elderly are encountered in the first five chapters.

In the normal ending, a group of civilians and supporting characters greet AMS agents James Taylor and Gary Stewart outside of Goldman's headquarters.

The House of the Dead: Overkill

The residents of Bayou City, Louisiana serve as civilians in Overkill.

House of the Dead: Scarlet Dawn

The civilian mechanic returns in Scarlet Dawn, but is handled differently. Civilians are party guests who are being attacked by creatures in Scarecrow Manor. They appear in the prologue chapter, as well as Chariot and Hangedman's levels. Saving civilians is worth bonus points and helps improve the player's ranking, but no lives can be earned, and there is no penalty when shooting them.

Yoko, in a cutscene, handing the player a floppy disc.

Zombie Revenge

The spin-off features only one civilian: Yoko, a girl who can be rescued from zombies in the first chapter. Her boyfriend was killed by the undead. Regardless if she lives or dies, Yoko yields a collectible fIoppy disc; if saved, she explains that it was given to her by "a man with golden eyes".

Yoko's fate determines the game's ending. If rescued, she is shown in the same warehouse she was found in, waiting impatiently for ZED to pay her. If killed, Yoko is depicted feeding on something - presumably as a zombie - and the screen cuts to black as she turns her head toward the camera.

Trivia

• In SEGA Superstars Tennis, a House of the Dead-themed minigame involves killing zombies with tennis balls to clear the path for civilians.
• The House of the Dead 2 is currently the only game in the franchise to include children as civilians.

Gallery

The House of the Dead

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Samson and Cyril threatens the Two Civilians

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“You can go up stairs from that room."

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HOD Female Researcher Upstairs

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HOD Female Researcher Courtyard

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HOD Male Researcher Bridge

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“They’re inside. Help them.”

The House of the Dead 2

A civilian about to be attacked by a David creature as seen in the attract mode. Note the warning written on the screen.

A child civilian running from a house full of creatures.

David about to kill a female civilian.

Three David creatures cling to a red car encountered in the beginning of Muddy.

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Archeologist civilian encountered in Despair.

Tower with two civilians in its mouth.

Female civilian as seen in Practice Mode.

A female civilian in the clock tower's dungeon.

A male civilian about to be attacked by two Davids.

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A civilian being held by Kageo.

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Adventurer Civilian in Despair

Five Civilians are killed by Hierophant

House of the Dead: Scarlet Dawn

Civilians are inside Scarecrow Manor.

A crowd of party guests.

Civilians running away from the creatures.

“Somebody! Anybody!”

A female civilian being threatened by Rogers.

Rogers grabbing onto a civilian's leg.

Wilson and a civilian in the Annex stage.

A civilian being threatened by Bentley.

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Chariot holding a civilian hostage.

Players rescuing a civilian from Chariot.

Rogers and a civilian fighting during the Elevator Lobby stage.

Dr.Alexandra “Nightingale” Morgan is walking with Scarecrow Manor’s Manager

Dr.Alexandra “Nightingale“Morgan is walking with Scarecrow Manor’s Manager

A horde of Creatures is chasing the Civilians

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Male Civilian got stumbled before Rogers threatens him

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Lily the Civilian almost run over by the Creatures

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Conor the Civilian is running away from Nia and Michael

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Nia and Michael have been attacked by Bryant and Cyril

Stage Start

Three Civilians are running away from the five Creatures

Male Civilian is dead on the right

The Civilians are inside prison

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The Civilians are free!!!!!

Other games

A researcher from The House of the Dead: Nightmare.