Now Is the Best Time for a Resident Evil Remake 

With the success of recent horror remakes like Silent Hill 2 by Bloober Team and Resident Evil 4 by Capcom, the momentum behind revisiting survival horror classics has never been stronger. This begs the question: Why hasn’t the original Resident Evil received the same modernized treatment? Despite the beloved HD remaster, a full remake of the first entry could honor its legacy and enrich the franchise’s wider narrative, bringing the original story into the modern era.

A new Resident Evil remake could maintain the tone and puzzle-driven design of the 1996 original while adding deeper layers of storytelling. The game has always stood out for its claustrophobic atmosphere and tense resource management gameplay. However, expanding the narrative scope to tie it more directly into the broader Resident Evil universe would provide a sense of continuity that wasn’t possible at the time of its original release. 

For example, Chris Redfield is a pivotal character in the Resident Evil franchise. Yet, many new players, drawn in by the success of Resident Evil 7 and its sequel, may be unfamiliar with his significance as a series icon. As a result, his more antagonistic portrayal in Resident Evil Village might not have the intended impact on those unfamiliar with his history. Similarly, exploring more of Albert Wesker’s origins, along with the actions of the three founders of the Umbrella Corporation, could provide greater incentive for players to experience lesser-known titles like Resident Evil 0 and Code: Veronica. By weaving these narrative threads together and perhaps adding additional foreshadowing for Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3, the mansion incident could feel more crucial to the series’ overarching timeline.

Another benefit of revisiting Resident Evil is the opportunity to build on the Spencer Mansion. In much the same way Resident Evil 7 enhances its atmosphere through environmental storytelling, a new take on the Spencer Mansion could use dynamic elements like destructible walls and background details in ways that static camera angles and painted backgrounds were unable to. Give Resident Evil the funhouse horror movie treatment it deserves!

The timing couldn’t be better, either. With Capcom recently announcing a new Resident Evil project helmed by Resident Evil 7 director Koshi Nakanishi at CAPCOM NEXT Summer 2024, the franchise continues to build on its momentum. The success of these remakes has proven there’s an appetite for both nostalgia and reinvention. Taking a similar approach to Final Fantasy VII Remake, which used the larger series lore to enrich its story, could ensure that a Resident Evil remake is something both longtime fans and new players could enjoy.

Ultimately, revisiting the first Resident Evil isn’t just about modernizing a classic, it’s about fully integrating it into the broader franchise. The original was created without the context of the wider universe it would later inspire, and a remake presents the perfect opportunity to connect it all. By revealing more of Umbrella Corporation’s dark secrets and giving the story greater emotional depth, this remake could further unify the Resident Evil series as a whole.