The Resident Evil franchise saw a resurgence over the past few years thanks to its return to traditional survival horror with Resident Evil 7 and Resident Evil Village. However, it is no secret that the remakes of Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3 also helped the franchise regain its fans, many of whom have fallen out of love with Resident Evil after a series of action-oriented titles.
While the remakes of Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3 did quench the thirst for survival horror, it is worth remembering that these two games were not the first Resident Evil titles to be remade. In 2002, Capcom released a remake of Resident Evil, transforming the classic 1996 title into the definitive version of the original game.
How Resident Evil Remake Became the Definitive Version
It's hard to deny the impact Resident Evil had on horror video games. Apart from solidifying Capcom's place as a major video game developer and publisher, Resident Evil also set a high standard of what gamers can expect from a horror game. That being said, it is worth mentioning that the original Resident Evil is not a perfect game. Its story is not the most groundbreaking, its characters do not have fully-fleshed-out personalities, and its voice acting and dialogue made the original game the butt of jokes and memes.
Though Resident Evil had its fair share of shortcomings, the game still managed to become a massive hit, given that Capcom was basically inventing a new genre and game mechanics during Resident Evil's development. However, Capcom was well-aware of all the game's weaknesses, so the studio decided to remake it at a time when remakes were far less common and did not guarantee profit.
This high level of awareness made 2002's Resident Evil the definitive version of the original game, setting the gold standard of how video games should be remade. It is worth remembering that the Resident Evil remake overhauled the game's graphics and dialogue, while introducing new voice recordings and the Lisa Trevor storyline. These enhancements allowed players to experience Resident Evil the way Capcom wanted it to be.
Resident Evil: Crafting a Faithful Remake
However, what made 2002's Resident Evil a superior remake was its faithfulness to the source material. While the voice acting and dialogue were improved, the remake retained the B-movie vibe that kept the cheesy charm of the original. Most importantly, Capcom also kept the fixed camera angles and tank controls in the remake, allowing players to experience the classic survival horror of the original game. While 3D technology was better in 2002, the decision to keep tank controls and fixed camera angles in the remake was a step in the right direction, given that Capcom also had to keep pre-rendered backgrounds instead of 3D environments.
While 3D backgrounds were already good in 2002, they still do not produce detailed aesthetics. For example, Resident Evil Code Veronica, released a year before the Resident Evil remake, featured real-time 3D environments. However, comparing the two, the Resident Evil remake holds up better today. The developers were able to make detailed pre-rendered backgrounds that instilled a distinct vibe to the game, instead of forcing real-time 3D, which were less detailed due to tech restrictions.
The perfect mix of the original game's strengths, and all the improvements that allowed players to experience the Spencer Mansion in a new way, are what made the 2002 remake the definitive version of Resident Evil. Now, 20 years after its release, the Resident Evil remake is Capcom's love letter to the franchise and the survival horror genre. While fans may never see another Resident Evil game following this exact formula, the 2002 remake provides players with an aesthetically-pleasing game. Resident Evil's remake embodies all the elements and gameplay mechanics of a classic survival horror game.
