Yasuhiro Anpo, the director behind the acclaimed remakes of Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 4, shared insights into the decision-making process behind bringing back the beloved 1998 classic. Anpo noted that the overwhelming fan interest in revitalizing the game played a pivotal role. He recounted, "We realized: people really want this to happen." This sentiment was echoed by producer Hirabayashi, who decisively responded, "Alright, we'll do it."
Initially, the team contemplated starting with Resident Evil 4. However, they recognized that the game, released in 2005, was still regarded as nearly flawless. The fear of potentially tarnishing its legacy with changes led them to pivot towards the older Resident Evil 2, which they felt needed a significant update. To ensure they met fan expectations, the developers delved into various fan projects for inspiration and insight into what the community desired.
Despite Capcom's confidence, doubts persisted among fans even after the successful launches of the Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3 remakes, and the subsequent announcement of the Resident Evil 4 remake. Many argued that Resident Evil 4, unlike its predecessors from the 1990s with their fixed camera angles and cumbersome controls, did not require as much of an overhaul. After all, Resident Evil 4 had revolutionized the survival horror genre upon its original release.
Yet, the Resident Evil 4 remake managed to dispel these concerns by preserving the essence of the original while enhancing gameplay and narrative elements. The commercial triumph and glowing reviews validated Capcom's approach, demonstrating that even a game deemed nearly untouchable could be respectfully and creatively reimagined.
