Yasuhiro Anpo, the director behind the remakes of Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 4, shared that the decision to modernize the 1998 classic stemmed from the overwhelming fan interest in reviving the beloved game. Anpo remarked, "We realized: people really want this to happen." This led producer Hirabayashi to decisively respond, "Alright, we'll do it."
Initially, the team considered tackling Resident Evil 4 first. However, they quickly realized that the game, already widely acclaimed, was nearly perfect in its original form. Making significant changes posed a risk, so they shifted their focus to the earlier Resident Evil 2, which required a more substantial update. To better cater to fan expectations, the developers also analyzed various fan projects.
Despite Capcom's internal discussions, fans expressed their own concerns, particularly after the release of the remakes for Resident Evil 2 and 3, and the announcement of the Resident Evil 4 remake. Many argued that Resident Evil 4, unlike its predecessors, did not require such an overhaul.
Resident Evil 2 and 3, originally released in the 1990s on the PlayStation, featured outdated mechanics like fixed camera angles and cumbersome controls. In contrast, Resident Evil 4, released in 2005, revolutionized the survival horror genre. Despite initial skepticism, the Resident Evil 4 remake successfully maintained the essence of the original while enhancing the gameplay and narrative elements.
The commercial success and positive critical acclaim of the Resident Evil 4 remake underscored that Capcom had made the right choice. It demonstrated that even a game revered as nearly perfect could be respectfully and creatively reimagined.
