What do you do when you’re running out of ideas for your long-running franchise and your last few games have been really hit-or-miss? For Capcom, when it comes to ‘Resident Evil ,’ the answer is easy: Just go back and remaster all the original games that everyone already loves! Back in 2002 they remade the original ‘Resident Evil’ for the Gamecube, and just earlier this year they released an HD remaster of the remake for modern systems. It quickly became one of Capcom’s fastest digital sellers and it didn’t take long for them to announce a remaster of their other 2002 game, ‘Resident Evil 0,’ with the director of the original, Koji Oda, returning to helm the remaster. The remaster team will include other members of the original team that made ‘RE0,’ which bodes well for the remaster, since it will have a lot of people who already know the game inside and out working on it. ‘Resident Evil 0’ isn’t usually considered anybody’s favorite ‘RE’ game, but it is generally considered one of the better games. And since it’s technically a prequel to the first game, it makes a certain amount of sense, from a storytelling perspective, to upgrade it next.
As if that weren’t enough, it was just announced that ‘Resident Evil 2,’ considered by most to be one of the best of the ‘Resident Evil’ games ever, will also be getting a remake. Now, this is important to keep in mind, since it’s not a simple remaster, as ‘RE0’ is getting or the recent ‘RE1’ was. This is a complete remake, most likely along the lines of the 2002 Gamecube version of ‘RE1.’ While the 2002 ‘Resident Evil 1’ remake kept most of the original game intact, it was made more difficult overall with the addition of some new features (such as the Crimson Head zombies) and it changed other parts of the game, like some item locations and jump scare locations. Assuming the ‘Resident Evil 2’ remake runs along similar lines, fans of the classic game won’t be able to simply assume that they’ll know everything or anything about the game. While it will feel familiar, it should be different enough to keep anyone on their toes.
I find it interesting that many large video game companies often get the same complaints that Hollywood does, specifically that of having run out of ideas. However, when it comes to remakes and remasters of classic games, can you blame them? Older fans are happy to have their favorite games working on modern systems and looking better, and newer gamers get introduced to classics that they might not otherwise try out. As long as it’s done well, it’s a win-win situation. The ‘Resident Evil 1’ HD remaster was pretty darn good, actually, and as long as Capcom keeps that quality up, I say keep the remasters coming.
But what do you think? Are you happy to see the Remakes/Remasters or would you rather they focus more on new games? Let us know in the comments below.
The Resident Evil 0 Remaster is scheduled for release sometime “early 2016” on the PC, PS4, PS3, XBox One, and XBox 360. The Resident Evil 2 Remake does not yet have an announced release date nor have the platforms it will be released on been announced though it’s a safe bet to say that it will probably be available on PC, PS4, and XBox One.
