Highlights
Resident Evil 5 may not be the best choice for the series' next remake due to its tonal inconsistency and its departure from the horror roots of the franchise.
Choosing to remake Resident Evil Code: Veronica would be a wise decision, considering its significant impact on the story and the strong demand from fans. However, Capcom has the opportunity to take it even further. The original Resident Evil and Resident Evil 0 are prime candidates for a remake, as evidenced by the success of the remastered version of Resident Evil 0 and the ongoing fascination with the series' beginnings. These remakes have the potential to delve deeper into the horror elements that defined the franchise while staying true to the original vision.
Resident Evil remakes have become a prominent feature in today's video game industry. The release of Resident Evil 2 in 2019 paved the way for a series of successful remakes, with Capcom brilliantly blending old and new elements. While the remake of Resident Evil 3 received mixed reactions, the recently released remake of Resident Evil 4 has been met with widespread acclaim. With the completion of Resident Evil 4, the future of the series' remakes is uncertain. While many may assume that Resident Evil 5 would be the next logical choice, it may not be the best direction for the franchise.
The Resident Evil series has had its ups and downs. Although the original four mainline games and Code: Veronica are highly regarded, the series faced some challenges in the late 2000s. Resident Evil 4, a masterpiece in its own right, was somewhat different from its predecessors. It had a more lighthearted and campy tone, deviating from the series' horror roots and focusing more on action. While Resident Evil 4 struck a perfect balance, its successors, Resident Evil 5 and 6, leaned even further into non-horror elements with mixed results. Therefore, remaking Resident Evil 5 would require significant adjustments to align with the new tone. Rather than investing all that effort, it would make more sense for Capcom to return to a horror-focused entry. Before considering a remake of Code: Veronica, they should explore even earlier titles in the series.
Resident Evil Remakes Are At A Fork In The Road
Resident Evil 5 Remake would face numerous challenges. Firstly, the original game focused more on action rather than horror, making it less scary. Additionally, since it was released on seventh generation consoles, its visuals still hold up compared to other remakes. To be successful, a remake of Resident Evil 5 might require more reinvention compared to previous remakes. While the remakes of RE2 and RE4 had a strong horror foundation, RE5's inconsistent tone and relative newness would necessitate enhancing its horror elements to be more than just a remaster.
Fans have been eagerly requesting a Resident Evil Code: Veronica remake, and Capcom seems open to the idea. Code: Veronica served as the true sequel to Resident Evil 2 and carries significant story implications. Released in 2000, the game would benefit from modernization. While Code: Veronica would be a better choice than RE5 for a remake, there are other games that the series could revisit next, further expanding the franchise's lore for fans who discovered it through the remakes.
Resident Evil And Resident Evil 0 Are Ripe For Remaking
The 2002 remake of the original Resident Evil for GameCube was a definitive way to experience the game, but it falls short compared to the more recent remakes in the franchise. However, the success of the remastered version of Resident Evil 0 suggests that fans still have an interest in the series' origins. Therefore, it would be ideal for the next remakes in the series to be Resident Evil and Resident Evil 0. Capcom could even consider remaking them as a single narrative due to the close proximity of the events, although bundling traditional remakes of each game together is also a viable option.
Resident Evil and its prequel are the perfect candidates for the franchise's next remakes. While Code: Veronica is an essential part of the lore, the beginning of the story is equally important. A remake of Resident Evil would allow the franchise to fully embrace its horror roots and enhance them with modern presentation. Considering the strong connection between Resident Evil 0 and the original game, including it in the remakes would make perfect sense. The well-received remake of Resident Evil 2 proved that enhancing the original while staying true to its vision can be successful, making the original Resident Evil an excellent choice for recapturing that magic.