There are only a handful of franchises in gaming that carry the same high caliber legacy as Resident Evil. Debuting in 1996 on the original Sony PlayStation, the first Resident Evil re-introduced zombies into mainstream culture, offering a unique mix of combat, puzzle solving, inventory management, and survival horror (I still remember being too scared to walk home from my neighbor's house after playing it for the first time). Following record-breaking sales, the franchise went on to produce eight mainline entries, dozens of spin-off titles, and an anthology of Hollywood movies.

Starting in 2019, Capcom begin the process of remaking its original RE entries (skipping the first game as it was technically remade in 2002). The Resident Evil 2 remake brought the 1998 classic into modern times, swapping the "fish tank" view for a more modern third-person angle, and updating all gaming aspects that one would expect 20+ years later. Capcom did this again for Resident Evil 3 in 2020, remaking the 1999 entry Resident Evil 3: Nemesis.

Now, in 2023, we will be getting the remake of Resident Evil 4, originally released in 2005 on the Nintendo GameCube. With less to update, given the more modern format of the original, Capcom aims to please fans with a remake that "preserves the essence of the original game, while introducing modernized gameplay, a reimagined storyline, and vividly detailed graphics..."

Capcom has so far managed to produce remakes that stay true to the originals while providing novel and rewarding survival horror experiences at the same time. Striking that perfect balance is not easy, but then again, survival never is.

Featured Image: Capcom