TheResident Evilfranchise saw a resurgence over the past few years thanks to its return to traditional survival horror withResident Evil 7andResident EvilVillage. However, it is no secret that the remakes ofResident Evil 2andResident Evil3also helped the franchise regain its fans, many of whom have fallen out of love withResident Evilafter a series of action-oriented titles.
While the remakes ofResident Evil 2andResident Evil 3did quench the thirst for survival horror, it is worth remembering that these two games were not the firstResident Eviltitles to be remade. In 2002, Capcom released a remake ofResident Evil, transforming the classic 1996 title into the definitive version of the original game.
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How Resident Evil Remake Became the Definitive Version
It’s hard to deny the impactResident Evilhad on horror video games. Apart from solidifyingCapcom’s place as a major video game developer and publisher,Resident Evilalso set a high standard of what gamers can expect from a horror game. That being said, it is worth mentioning that the originalResident Evilis not a perfect game. Its story is not the most groundbreaking, its characters do not have fully-fleshed-out personalities, and its voice acting and dialogue made the original game the butt of jokes and memes.
ThoughResident Evilhad its fair share of shortcomings, the game still managed to become a massive hit, given that Capcom was basically inventing a new genre and game mechanics duringResident Evil’sdevelopment. However, Capcom was well-aware of all the game’s weaknesses, so the studio decided to remake it at a time when remakes were far less common and did not guarantee profit.
This high level of awareness made 2002’sResident Evilthe definitive version of the original game, setting the gold standard of how video games should be remade. It is worth remembering that theResident Evilremake overhauled the game’s graphics and dialogue, while introducing new voice recordings andthe Lisa Trevor storyline. These enhancements allowed players to experienceResident Evilthe way Capcom wanted it to be.
Resident Evil: Crafting a Faithful Remake
However, what made 2002’sResident Evila superior remake was its faithfulness to the source material. Whilethe voice acting and dialogue were improved, the remake retained the B-movie vibe that kept the cheesy charm of the original. Most importantly, Capcom also kept the fixed camera angles and tank controls in the remake, allowing players to experience the classic survival horror of the original game. While 3D technology was better in 2002, the decision to keep tank controls and fixed camera angles in the remake was a step in the right direction, given that Capcom also had to keep pre-rendered backgrounds instead of 3D environments.
While 3D backgrounds were already good in 2002, they still do not produce detailed aesthetics. For example,Resident Evil Code Veronica,released a year before theResident Evilremake, featured real-time 3D environments. However, comparing the two, theResident Evilremake holds up better today. The developers were able to make detailed pre-rendered backgrounds that instilled a distinct vibe to the game, instead of forcing real-time 3D, which were less detailed due to tech restrictions.
The perfect mix of the original game’s strengths, and all the improvements that allowed players to experience the Spencer Mansion in a new way, are what made the 2002 remake the definitive version ofResident Evil.Now, 20 years after its release, theResident Evilremake isCapcom’s love letter to the franchise and the survival horror genre. While fans may never see anotherResident Evilgame following this exact formula, the 2002 remake provides players with an aesthetically-pleasing game.Resident Evil’s remake embodies all the elements and gameplay mechanics of a classic survival horror game.
