Game developer Capcom has been wholeheartedly embracing the Resident Evil series with high-definition remakes alongside new additions to the franchise. Newer games in the series like Resident Evil Village have embraced a first-person perspective, whereas older Resident Evil games used a third-person point of view. While both are useful to create different gaming experiences, Capcom continues to toe the line between the two. The current remakes maintain the same perspective that was used in the initial games, but there is one classic Resident Evil game that might be better off in the style of Resident Evil Village.
With the Resident Evil 4 remake changing its original game and still finding major success, it's clear that Capcom doesn't need to keep everything identical to the source material with these endeavors. The original Resident Evil hasn't been remade since the GameCube era, and while some fans may appreciate the original mechanics of the first Resident Evil, it might be better off getting a full overhaul and new perspective.
The Potential of a First-Person Resident Evil Remake
Resident Evil initially came out in 1996, but the iconic survival-horror game received a remake in 2002 for the GameCube that was later ported to Wii. An HD remaster of this remade version was also eventually playable on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch, including new mechanics, altered puzzles, improved graphics, and additional areas to explore. This remake is likely the reason that Capcom began with a Resident Evil 2 remake in 2019, but the 2002 remake of Resident Evil doesn't hold a candle to newer attempts.
Resident Evil was a truly terrifying experience when it was released, and the remake brought that horror to another generation, but its scares and gameplay don't hold up as well after several decades. The first Resident Evil game's use of a fixed camera, its tedious and confusing puzzles, and its awkward puzzles make up a nostalgic charm now, but for a remake to stand a chance, Resident Evil would need a massive facelift. Instead of attempting to approach Resident Evil from the same third-person perspective, Capcom could improve it by tackling this classic entry in the first-person format of Resident Evil 7 and Village.
The premise of Resident Evil shares some similarities with Resident Evil 7. After a series of horrific murders, the Raccoon City Police Department's S.T.A.R.S. Team ends up stranded and separated in an abandoned mansion on the outskirts of town. Just as Ethan Winters searches a decrepit estate for his missing wife in Resident Evil 7, Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine must search a terrifying mansion for the lost Bravo Team in Resident Evil. In Resident Evil 7 and its sequel, Resident Evil Village, the first-person perspective created immense tension for players by making them personally explore the dangerous villages and properties that Ethan is making his way through while fending off zombies.
Approaching Resident Evil from an entirely new perspective would benefit both old-school and newer Resident Evil fans. For players who have completed Resident Evil before, a new look at the mansion and horrible mutants inside would likely be a welcome revisit to the terror they felt the first time they booted up the game. For newer fans who got into the series with either 7 or Village, the first-person perspective would be more familiar and approachable, allowing gamers that are intimidated by older titles to experience the characters and story that originated the series.
Resident Evil 4 is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.