Unleashing Unprecedented Fear: The Untold Secrets Behind Resident Evil Remakes

Capcom has been on an incredible winning streak lately. Over the past few years, they have consistently delivered exceptional video games. Monster Hunter World and Monster Hunter Rise stand out as some of the finest titles in the franchise's history, while Devil May Cry 5 successfully revitalized the series. Most recently, Street Fighter 6 has propelled the franchise to the forefront of the fighting game world. However, it is undeniable that Capcom's Resident Evil sequels and remakes have been their most triumphant ventures in recent years.

Resident Evil 7: Biohazard, which was launched in 2017, has sold a remarkable 12 million copies so far. This game marked the beginning of a fresh era for the Resident Evil series, an era that continues to thrive. Following the success of Resident Evil 7, Capcom released a highly acclaimed remake of Resident Evil 2 in 2019. Since then, the franchise has oscillated between sequels and remakes, with each new release garnering both critical acclaim and commercial success. However, despite the resounding triumph of the Resident Evil remakes, there is one crucial aspect in which the new entries surpass them by a wide margin.

The Resident Evil Remakes Aren't As High Stakes As New Entries

The Resident Evil remakes have largely been exceptional. Resident Evil 2 Remake successfully retained the essence of the original while revamping the gameplay and visuals. Resident Evil 4 Remake not only improved upon every aspect of the original but also surpassed it. Even though Resident Evil 3 Remake has its flaws, it still boasts impressive visuals and gameplay. At their lowest point, the Resident Evil remakes offer enjoyable action games that stay true to the source material. At their peak, they redefine the modern horror genre.

However, the Resident Evil remakes are not flawless, particularly in one major aspect where recent Resident Evil sequels surpass them: stakes. Since many fans have already played the original versions of these games, they are already familiar with the major plot points, and may even know when they occur in the story. As a result, players may already be aware of character deaths and potentially even the how, why, and when. Naturally, this can undermine the tension experienced during gameplay.

The Resident Evil remakes attempt to address this issue by introducing changes, but they still largely adhere to the main plot of the original versions. In the recent Resident Evil 4 Remake, for example, the circumstances surrounding Luis' death are modified, but he still meets the same fate as in the original game. Players who have previously experienced the original game might not be as impacted by this scene, as they would have been anticipating Luis' death. The stakes in the Resident Evil remakes are predetermined even before the games are released.

In contrast, new entries in the Resident Evil series have the opportunity to surprise players and offer high-stakes experiences by presenting entirely new stories where anything can happen. For instance, in the beginning of Resident Evil 7, Ethan Winters unexpectedly loses his hand in a highly intense sequence. This sense of uncertainty and fear permeates through Resident Evil Village, as seen in its opening sequence where Chris Redfield shoots Mia. High stakes play a crucial role in horror video games, and future Resident Evil sequels should embrace this even more, potentially hinting that even beloved characters are not exempt from danger.