Yasuhiro Anpo, the director behind the acclaimed remakes of Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 4, shared insights into the decision-making process that led to the revival of the 1998 classic. Anpo noted that the project was fueled by the palpable enthusiasm from fans eager to see the game restored to its former glory. He recalled the moment of realization, saying, "We realized: people really want this to happen." This sentiment was echoed by producer Hirabayashi, who decisively stated, "Alright, we'll do it."
Initially, the team at Capcom contemplated starting with Resident Evil 4 due to its iconic status. However, after thorough discussions, they recognized that RE4 was already nearly perfect in the eyes of many, and any alterations could be risky. Consequently, they chose to focus on the older Resident Evil 2, which they believed required a significant modernization. To align their efforts with fan expectations, the developers also delved into fan projects to gain a deeper understanding of player desires.
Despite Capcom's confidence, the fan community was not without its reservations. Even after the successful launches of the Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3 remakes, and the announcement of the Resident Evil 4 remake, some fans argued that the latter did not require an update as urgently as its predecessors. The original Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3, released in the 1990s on the PlayStation, were marked by now-dated elements such as fixed camera angles and cumbersome controls. In contrast, Resident Evil 4, released in 2005, had already revolutionized the survival horror genre. Despite these initial doubts, the Resident Evil 4 remake successfully maintained the essence of the original while enhancing gameplay and storytelling.
The commercial triumph and overwhelmingly positive reviews of the Resident Evil 4 remake validated Capcom's approach. It demonstrated that even a game considered nearly untouchable could be respectfully reimagined, blending reverence for the original with innovative creativity.
