The Licker is a fictional creature from Capcom's Resident Evil series. It first appeared in the video gameResident Evil 2. It has appeared outside video games, including in film. It is one of the most iconic creatures in the game series, as result of a further mutation in zombies infected with certain strains of T-Virus. This process is known as V-ACT. The Licker is noted for its large, exposed brains; lack of skin; sensitivity to sound and their eponymous tongues. The Licker has lost the use of its eyes and cannot track prey by sight. Their super-developed hearing, however, more compensates for the loss. Upon detecting potential prey it will attack full force with teeth, tongue and claws, often alerting others of its kind in the vicinity as well. Weapons that emit very little sound, such as the bowgun, are especially useful.
Development
The Licker came into existence at some point after the Crimson Head Prototype 1's creation, when the V-ACT process was underground research. By 1998, they were undergoing research at the Raccoon City Underground Laboratory as potential bio-weapons. During the Raccoon City Destruction Incident, the creatures made their way to the Raccoon Police Station, which the Raccoon Police Department officers encountered throughout the building. It was there that the name "Licker" was given by the officers, due to its incredibly long tongue which can kill or injure people at a distance especially when climbing through walls or ceilings. Also during the same outbreak, a potent variant of the T-Virus infected the water supply at the Apple Inn hotel, creating a large number of the creatures. According to producer Hiroyuki Kobayashi, on Creatures from Resident Evil 2 returning to the 2019 remake said that "The alligator boss, the licker's first appearance... those are all in there" and stating that "The licker for example. In the E3 build, you reach the corridor where you expect the licker to appear. There's evidence it's been there: a body hanging from the ceiling, claw marks on the wall, another body torn apart by claws. But he's not actually there". It was also created to be the most iconic moments in the series.
Appearances
The Licker appears several Resident Evil video games. Its first appearance was in Resident Evil 2, in Resident Evil 5, another type of mutated licker "type b" which has more abilities of hearing, and Resident Evil 7 as Black Licker. The Licker returned in the 2019 remake and 2020 remake as a remaster of the game to prove and make the graphics look more modern, including the creature. The Licker also appeared in the Resident Evil films, Resident Evil Project Resistance, and Resident Evil 2 Remake VR Project, where fans made the game where the players can pet Licker.
Reception
According to Metro, the Licker looks like an Alien from the Metroid series, and reminded them of the Xenomorph from , and also praised the creature especially in the Resident Evil 2 remake. According to GameSpot, Akuma from Street Fighter should be placed in Resident Evil 2 to deal with the Licker, also stating that "addition could prove a humorous and unexpected way to experience the horrors of Raccoon City". Destructoid said that the Licker was Resident Evil 2s most fearsome monstrosity. GameRant also praises the jumpscare that the Licker made in the Resident Evil 2 remake and the Licker's introduction was the scariest moment and stating that "The Licker’s appearance is foreshadowed by thick globs of drool dripping from the ceiling, which leads up to an intense showdown inside the halls of the Raccoon City Police Station.", and also said that "Those distant memories of the introduction of the Licker and the bishop plug are about to become someone's new, happy horror moment". Licker was also remade by fans to be pet on the fan-made game as VR.
