"Resident Evil 2 and 4 Remakes: A Daunting Development Journey"

Yasuhiro Anpo, the director behind the remakes of Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 4, shared that the decision to revamp the 1998 classic, Resident Evil 2, stemmed from a clear signal from the fanbase. He noted, "We realized: people really want this to happen." This realization led producer Hirabayashi to decisively state, "Alright, we'll do it."

Initially, the team contemplated beginning with Resident Evil 4. Yet, after careful consideration, they recognized that this game was already highly acclaimed and nearly perfect. The risk of altering such a beloved title was too great. Consequently, the focus shifted to an earlier game in the series that was ripe for modernization. In their efforts to align with fan expectations, the developers even delved into fan projects for insights.

Despite Capcom's internal deliberations, fan concerns persisted even after the release of the remakes of Resident Evil 2 and 3, and the announcement of the Resident Evil 4 remake. Many argued that unlike its predecessors, Resident Evil 4, released in 2005, did not require as much updating. The earlier games, released in the 1990s on the original PlayStation, featured elements like fixed camera angles and cumbersome controls that were clearly outdated. In contrast, Resident Evil 4 had revolutionized the genre and was still well-regarded.

Despite these initial reservations, the Resident Evil 4 remake successfully maintained the essence of the original while enhancing gameplay and narrative elements. The commercial triumph and favorable reviews validated Capcom's approach, demonstrating that even a game seen as nearly flawless could be respectfully reimagined with a fresh perspective.