Summary
Resident Evilis the reigning champion of survival horror at the present moment. Over the course of nearly 30 years, Capcom has played an essential part in creating and codifying the genre. Throughout, it has navigatedResident Evilfrom the heights of success to finding itself in danger of losing relevance, and in recent years, back to being on top of the scene. Along the way, the series has reinvented itself multiple times, and in the process solidifiedREas an unrivaled industry leader, particularly regarding its remakes.
Capcom’s handling of themodernResident Evilremakesis undoubtedly a major credit to their overwhelmingly positive reception. By recapturing what made the original titles fundamentally vital, supported by superior technology, they feel simultaneously timeless while also on the cutting edge of current capabilities. Capcom has given itself the task of ensuring theREremakes are of the highest standard and has lived up to that with every one, proving its principles with each release.
Capcom’s Approach to Resident Evil Remakes Sets the Bar For the Industry
A Brief History of Remakes
While remakes aren’t a new concept, they have been a more prevalent part of the gaming landscape starting around the middle of the last generation and increasingly so into the current one. It’s easier and more viable than before for studios to dig into their back catalogs in the hopes of capitalizing on a remake of a beloved classic. Though a promising idea, there are numerous cautionary tales of their falling well short of the mark, disappointing fans by feeling like cheap cynical cash grabs. This is the complete opposite ofwhat Capcom accomplished with theREremakes.
Resident Evil: A Master of Remaking
Theremake of the firstREwas in 2002. Even as an early effort, it impressed with its reworking of the original, updated with improved graphics and smoother gameplay. This set the template for how Capcom would later forge ahead with theRE2,3, and4remakes, starting in 2019 and continuing to this year. From theRE 2remakeonward, the studio showed exactly how to produce a remake that can be enjoyed by longtime fans and newcomers alike. It delivered an engaging experience for both and provided the measuring stick by which others both within and beyond survival horror would be held against.
The RE engine Capcom utilizes is specifically designed to make the most ofResident Evil’s iconic assets, refreshing them in a way that combines a nostalgic veneer with modern top-of-the-line production values and sensibilities. Everything coheres to create a seamless experience, highlightingRE’s best elements and showing why it is undisputed in its domain. TheREremakes are the pinnacle of the practice.
RE 4remake has sold over 5 million copies since its release in March of this year, and has been nominated in The Game Awards for multiple categories, including Game Of The Year.
Capcom’s Trendsetting Trajectory
Resident Evilwill celebrate its 30th anniversaryin 2026. It’s rare that any series lasts as long, let alone be able to re-establish itself decades later as an unquestionable force in the industry. Capcom’s work ethic in producing the gold standard for remakes has paved the path for their true potential. In the way the originals set the tone for survival horror, theREmakesnot only revitalized the franchise, but once again set the benchmark for all others.
Whatever form thenextResident Evilremaketakes, fans can be assured their trust and faith in Capcom to deliver another excellent experience is well-founded. By refusing to rest on its laurels or stay stagnant, Capcom’s commitment to the highest level of quality with itsREmakesis a huge boon for consumers and gaming as a whole.
Resident Evil 4
WHERE TO PLAY
Survival is just the beginning.Six years have passed since the biological disaster in Raccoon City.Agent Leon S. Kennedy, one of the survivors of the incident, has been sent to rescue the president’s kidnapped daughter. He tracks her to a secluded European village, where there is something terribly wrong with the locals.And the curtain rises on this story of daring rescue and grueling horror where life and death, terror and catharsis intersect.Featuring modernized gameplay, a reimagined storyline, and vividly detailed graphics, Resident Evil 4 marks the rebirth of an industry juggernaut.Relive the nightmare that revolutionized survival horror.
