Resident Evil fans were excited yet understandably skeptical when they heard about the Resident Evil 2 Remake. At the end of the day though, the game was a massive success, proving that a new form of Resident Evil akin to modern first-person horror could coexist with a more traditional kind of survival horror. Now that Capcom has remade the second, third, and fourth entry to critical and commercial success, many fans wonder what's next, with the two obvious contenders being a Resident Evil 5 or Code Veronica Remake. There is a third option to consider, however.
The most iconic version of the first game is the 2002 Resident Evil 1 Remake, an easily accessible remake of the original game, first available on the GameCube. This remake didn't sell particularly well at the time, likely due to waning interest in the genre and series in general, but it has since become recognized as one of the greatest remakes ever by many. Not only are its gorgeous pre-rendered backgrounds timeless, but Resident Evil 1 Remake's updated English voice acting is also superb. The remake also features new areas, enemies, rearranged items, and different puzzles. It maintains the atmosphere of the original while offering something new for returning players, a practice Capcom would maintain for future Resident Evil remakes.
A New Resident Evil 1 Remake Would Bring Up a Lot of Questions
For new players who jumped on board with the Resident Evil 2 Remake and onward, a major piece of the story is missing, and there are understandably many who find the classic style of the Resident Evil 1 Remake just too uninviting. It was one of the last entries to use fixed camera angles and tank controls, with few options to adjust. This alone might dissuade players, but the original and 2002 remake also featured a few somewhat vague or obtuse puzzles.
Resident Evil 1 Remake is also among the harder entries in the franchise, alongside fellow classic-style entries like Resident Evil 0 and Code Veronica, which will likely be magnified by the aged controls for those lacking experience. While the dialogue has been updated from the original's fun, campy voice acting, it is still quite stilted and cheesy. The current string of remakes have been careful to develop a more serious and gritty atmosphere, which could also make for a jarring transition from the first game's HD remake. Even still, modern horror games emulate classic Resident Evil, a testament to its longevity.
The Resident Evil 1 Remake Stands the Test of Time
All that being said, the Resident Evil 1 Remake is still an incredibly solid game. Its age takes nothing away from the haunting atmosphere and exhilarating resource management, while it doesn't take long to become comfortable with the tank controls. Nailing a shotgun headshot in a tight corridor as the camera eerily peers through a distant window makes the game a uniquely intense experience.
The remake asks players to respect the franchise's history while also taking a step toward modernization. For new players that have fallen in love with Resident Evil, the first remake might appear intimidating at first, but the Spencer Mansion is packed with enough puzzles and secrets to remain enticing. It's about as far as a remake of the classic formula can go before becoming something else entirely. The game also sits confidently among its sequels as some of the scariest PlayStation 1 games ever.
The numerous Unreal Engine 5 fan remake trailers on YouTube can often feel unnecessary, but there's something fun about seeing a fully 3D Spencer Mansion remade in UE5. Perhaps Capcom will bring the manor to the RE Engine in the near future, unless fans get their long-awaited Code Veronica remake first. Capcom has practically written the guidebook for proper remakes, so whatever is next for Resident Evil will be something to look forward to, but at the end of the day, fans are always going to ask if this title actually needs one. Capcom is probably thinking the same thing.
Resident Evil 1 Remake is available on PC, PS4, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox One.