The NE-α Type is a parasitic organism genetically engineered by the Umbrella Corporation in the Resident Evil franchise. Developed at Umbrella's European branch, the parasite was designed for the purpose of enhancing the intelligence and combat-effectiveness of B.O.W.'s. When it bonds with the brain of a compatible host, it enhances the host's intelligence and their susceptibility to suggestion, making them easier to control. Incompatible hosts die in a matter of minutes.
History[]
While Umbrella's Paris branch researched into the intelligence aspect of the NE-α, the Arklay Laboratory in the United States investigated the combat-effectiveness of parasite-enhanced B.O.W.'s. The highly-intelligent parasite was developed with the capability of taking control over its host by fusing with its brain. A major problem occurred in the process, however - all hosts died within five minutes of coupling. All, that is, until the Arklay team's experiment.
Albert Wesker and William Birkin - the head researchers at the Arklay facility - introduced their parasite specimen to their long-term guinea pig Lisa Trevor. Lisa, who had been exposed to multiple viral strains over the years she was held in captivity, appeared to have accepted the NE-α when it was implanted. However, it turned out that Lisa's already heavily mutated body had actually consumed the parasite completely. This was merely a minor setback for Umbrella as they were able to collect new data to further advance their research and the experiment bore unexpected fruit in the form of a new viral strain: the G-virus.
In the summer of 1998, the Arklay Laboratory was contaminated by a T-virus outbreak. The Raccoon City Police sent in their Special Tactics & Rescue Service to investigate the incident, but Wesker had arranged for the S.T.A.R.S. to fall prey to the B.O.W.'s that were roaming around freely within the facility, all so that he could collect necessary combat data that would further advance the Nemesis Project. While the S.T.A.R.S. managed to kill the Tyrant T-002 and escape with their lives, Umbrella had gained all the information they needed to complete the project. Shortly afterwards, an NE-α parasite was implanted into the body of a T-103, thus creating a whole new breed of bio-weapon: the Nemesis T-Type.
Gameplay[]
In Resident Evil 3 (2020), the Nemesis is shown to be capable of spawning NE-α parasites within its body. As it harrasses Jill Valentine throughout the game, it implants zombies with these parasites which take over their host bodies, destroying the head and growing out from the neck. The mature NE-α appears as a fleshy mass with bony mandibles surrounding a circular orifice, topped by a long tentacle.
In gameplay, zombies infected with the NE-α are considerably tougher than regular zombies. Attacks to the body become completely ineffective, only shooting the parasite itself can cause damage. Parasitized zombies still largely behave in the same manner as regular zombies, lurching toward prey in order to feed on them. However, they can now attack from a distance as their tentacles will extend to stab at the player. Their bites also cause more damage and being killed by one will result in the player's head being pulled off and consumed whole.
Trivia[]
- While not confirmed in-canon, it is possible that the NE-α Type was based on the Plaga parasite. This theory is supported by the fact that Luis Serra Navarro, a character involved with Plaga research in Resident Evil 4, had previously worked at Umbrella Europe's Sixth Laboratory, where the Nemesis Project was developed.