The remakes of Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 4 were daunting to develop

Yasuhiro Anpo, the director behind the remakes of Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 4, shared that the decision to revamp the 1998 classic was sparked by the overwhelming enthusiasm from fans eager to see the game restored to its former glory. Anpo recalled, "We realized: people really want this to happen." This realization led producer Hirabayashi to decisively declare, "Alright, we'll do it."

Initially, the team had considered tackling Resident Evil 4 first. However, they soon recognized that the game, already highly acclaimed, was nearly perfect in its original form. Making changes posed significant risks. Instead, they opted to focus on an earlier title in the series that was in dire need of modernization. To better align with fan expectations, the developers even delved into fan projects for insights.

Yet, the decision to remake these games was not without skepticism, both within Capcom and among the fanbase. Even after the successful releases of Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3 remakes, and the announcement of the next one, some fans argued that Resident Evil 4, unlike its predecessors, did not require as significant an update.

While Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3, released in the 1990s on the original PlayStation, were marred by outdated elements such as fixed camera angles and cumbersome controls, Resident Evil 4 revolutionized the survival horror genre when it launched in 2005. Despite initial doubts, the remake successfully captured the essence of the original while enhancing both gameplay and storytelling.

The commercial triumph and positive critical feedback validated Capcom's approach, demonstrating that even a game considered nearly untouchable could be reimagined with reverence for the original and a fresh, creative touch.