The Resident Evil series could have a trend going right now. Given the success of last year’s Resident Evil 2 remake and the upcoming release of the Resident Evil 3 remake, plenty of fans are psyched for the return of true survival horror. Specifically, they are excited for its comeback in a challenging but modern third-person way. While other Resident Evil games definitely deserve their due in the same respect, so does the original Resident Evil Remake.
So far, the remakes appear to be garnering only positive attention. Resident Evil 2 is widely considered one of the best games of 2019 while Resident Evil 3 is one of 2020’s most anticipated horror titles. Resident Evil 2 helped pump life into a limping series off the success of Resident Evil 7 and showed how remakes could be masterpieces. Hopefully, Resident Evil 3 will continue this trend.
The first Resident Evil title has a lasting legacy and has received several re-releases. One could argue Resident Evil Remake is one of the best remakes of all-time. Even on the Xbox One and PS4, Resident Evil Remake proved to be a timeless classic with lasting horror elements and an unsettling atmosphere. In light of Resident Evil 2 and 3’s redesigns from the ground up, however, Resident Evil Remake needs, well, a remake.
Traversing the dreaded Spencer Mansion and the terrifying locations that accompanied it in third-person would be delightful. In the same way that walking around the police station without fixed cameras was an awe-inducing experience, so would be the ability to do so in an RE Remake remake. Moments like the dog jumping through the window and the creeping-down ceiling would be all the more cinematic with the new engine as well.
Of course, there are arguments to be made against this. Aside from the obvious fact that we’ve already received a remake or two of the original Resident Evil, there are other components that make another remake less than ideal. Primarily, the first game is far more confined than its sequels. Tight hallways and spaces almost comprise the game entirely. While this worked for fixed cameras, third-person gameplay should accommodate more open spaces. Unless the first Resident Evil’s environment was reworked in a big way, a third-person remake just isn’t as suitable as it was for Resident Evil 2.
It’s great to see that the classic RE games are getting their time in the spotlight once again. Although Resident Evil Remake definitely deserves another look in a similar fashion. It may not be as ideal for a third-person remake as Resident Evil 2 or Resident Evil 3, but it would be great to play the game in a fresh new format.
