The Ultimate Battle Begins: Unleashing a Mortal Kombat 1-Style Reboot for Resident Evil

Highlights

Resident Evil's recent success may lead to a reboot, similar to Mortal Kombat 1, that refreshes the universe and characters for a new generation.

The enduring popularity of the classic Resident Evil games has made them beloved even in present times. However, it is inevitable that Capcom will exhaust their supply of games to remake. In such a scenario, a reboot could serve as a viable solution. Taking inspiration from the successful approach of the Mortal Kombat franchise, a Resident Evil reboot has the potential to preserve familiar elements while also infusing innovative and exciting twists into the narratives and characters.

Resident Evil, like many long-running franchises, has experienced both successes and setbacks throughout its 27-year history. Since its inception in 1996, it has played a significant role in popularizing the survival horror genre in the gaming industry. Despite its enduring popularity, the franchise has had a few missteps that have been deemed disappointing by many fans.

Nonetheless, in recent times, the Resident Evil series has consistently delivered exceptional experiences, and its success continues to thrive. However, considering the current landscape, it seems inevitable that a reboot may be on the horizon. Rather than starting anew, a potential future reboot of Resident Evil would greatly benefit from following the model of Mortal Kombat 1, refreshing the universe and characters to cater to a new generation.

A Mortal Kombat 1-Style Reboot Could Be Exactly What Resident Evil Needs

The original set of Resident Evil games are considered timeless classics, despite showing signs of aging. They still maintain a loyal fanbase today, and it's not hard to understand why. With its iconic characters, delightfully cheesy dialogue, engaging plot, and terrifying monsters, the classic Resident Evil series is undeniably exceptional. Thanks to recent remakes, a new generation of fans can enjoy all these elements on their state-of-the-art gaming consoles.

Although the recent Resident Evil remakes have been mostly outstanding, it's only a matter of time before Capcom exhausts its supply of classic games to revamp. With Resident Evil 5 assumed to be the next candidate, there are only a few games in the series left for potential remakes, and fans are primarily interested in one or two of them. However, to maintain the legacy of Resident Evil's beloved characters and story, Capcom may consider a comprehensive reboot, which can bring about both positive and negative outcomes.

The Mortal Kombat franchise has remained highly popular for three decades, and has undergone various reboots during that time. The recent entry, instead of starting the universe from scratch, serves as a soft in-world reboot. The characters and general plot beats remain the same, but they have been refreshed for new audiences. In Mortal Kombat 1, Liu Kang restarts the universe to establish an era of peace. This change in origins affects the classic plot beats, either altering or omitting them. The soft reboot in Mortal Kombat 1 offers a great opportunity to revitalize classic characters and plot moments, providing old fans with something new yet familiar, while also engaging new fans with a perfect entry point.

If the Resident Evil franchise ever decides to reboot its series, it could consider following the example of Mortal Kombat 1. The Resident Evil remakes already introduce changes to classic plot beats, character moments, and gameplay systems. A reboot in the style of Mortal Kombat 1 would simply be a small step further. This approach would enable Capcom to satisfy fans with familiar moments like the Raccoon City Outbreak and beloved characters such as Chris Redfield, Jill Valentine, and Leon Kennedy. At the same time, they would have the opportunity to put fresh spins on each element, delivering a set of new but recognizable stories within a revamped Resident Evil universe.