10 Improvements in Resident Evil Remakes We Can’t Quit Talking About

Many consider Resident Evil Remakes to be the best reimagining available. Even though remakes are par for the course in modern gaming, some still prefer that the games from their childhood be left alone. There is criticism of the industry’s current obsession with remastering and remaking past titles. Still, Capcom and Square Enix are leading the industry in remakes that can stand alongside their original counterparts or even surpass them as the definitive way to experience them.

There is an argument that Resident Evil (2002), a reimagining of the original Resident Evil, should be considered the best remake of all time. It not only beautifully updated the visuals of the original 1996 classic, but it also retained the entire game’s content. One of the biggest criticisms of remaking anything is the creative liberties taken with the new version. Still, Capcom completely remade the game from the ground up, adding only new content. Capcom continues to reimagine its original titles over time, and the modern versions are just as good, if not better, than the originals.

When remaking a game, developers must give players a reason to return. Sometimes, nostalgia is enough, and sometimes you have to shake things up to give players something new to experience. In conversations surrounding the Resident Evil Remakes, the Crimson Heads are constantly brought up. With good reason, too. Backtracking is a familiar mechanic in games, particularly in the Resident Evil series. When playing a horror game, the scares come from fear of the unknown. What’s behind the next door or around the next corner? Crimson Heads only spawn from zombies the player has already defeated, which now flips the horror on its head by reducing the number of genuinely safe areas.

Tank controls are a significant point of contention for many modern games. Many see them as a relic of the past, while others find them an integral part of the game design. No matter where the opinion falls on the topic, players cannot deny how good the movement feels in modern Resident Evil. Eliminating the tank controls and fixed angles allows players to move and aim freely, making exploration and combat feel far more fluid. Gunplay is improved since players can now precisely aim, and movement is more responsive because you can now slowly walk while aiming. There will always be purists who prefer the old style, but they cannot deny the fluidity of modern third-person shooters.

A surefire way to ensure a game stands the test of time is by incorporating memeable aspects. Mr. X was already a horror icon from his original appearance in Resident Evil 2, but the remake’s new stalking mechanics raise him to even higher heights. Atmosphere is essential to any horror title, but stalker enemies bring another layer to the experience. Exploring the environments of Resident Evil 2 (2019) is already terrifying, but doing so with the thunderous footsteps of a giant pounding against your eardrums is genuinely a horrific time.

Gamers have always been looking for ways to “get good”. Showing off the skills accumulated is one of the best parts of gaming, and with Resident Evil 4(2023) adding in the knife parry, there are new opportunities for hype clips and an increased skill ceiling. Leon can use his knife to parry most enemy attacks, and with the limited durability of the knife, the game’s systems deepen while keeping the balance in alignment. The parry improves the more time the player spends on it, and once mastered, someone can even use it at the last second to save them from deadly blows.

Similar to fan and critic discussion around tank controls, there is a rift between fans of the original campy, B-list action movie writing of the original games and those who prefer the more grounded storytelling of the modern games. The new way of storytelling doesn’t altogether remove the goofy moments that come with a Resident Evil title, but it does offer contrast, making every moment land and hit just a bit harder. Moments like Jill’s PTSD in Resident Evil 3, Marvin’s heroism in Resident Evil 2, and Luis’ backstory in Resident Evil 4 deserved extra time and care to flesh out these characters and world, and Capcom delivered.

Resident Evil 3’s remake remained faithful to the high-intensity encounters of the original. Before Resident Evil 4(2023), Capcom was already looking for ways to add depth to the combat in modern Resident Evil. The perfect dodge system, although not as in-depth or engaging as the knife parry, gives players a powerful tool to overcome the struggles of Raccoon City. This mechanic might have been a step too far, depending on who you ask, but it provided an opportunity for skill expression. In the past, the only way to showcase your skill in Resident Evil was to complete it quickly and share times; this is no longer the case.

Capcom’s RE Engine isn’t perfect, but it is ideal for Resident Evil. The remakes after Resident Evil (2002) didn’t just update the graphics, but completely re-envisioned the vibe. Fans of the original pre-rendered backgrounds can rejoice, because the remake takes the original art style and updates it, so it still looks good almost 30 years later. 3D graphics tend to be unfavored in the long run because they look outdated as technology advances. However, Resident Evil (2002) is one of the best-looking games, capturing its art direction and atmosphere by cleverly using 3D models rendered as 2D images.

The Resident Evil 4 remake introduced stealth takedowns and more complex AI for enemies, compared to the games that came before it in the franchise. As games continue to evolve, AI for NPCs and enemies will continue to improve. The primary enemies of Resident Evil 4, the Ganados, can now coordinate and adapt to the player’s playstyle. This improvement turns the game from an action title to almost like a puzzle where the player has to experiment continuously with the game’s mechanics.

The main argument against tank controls, fixed camera angles, and other “outdated” game design choices is that they are not accessible. The point of these remakes is to open the door for a new audience to give the franchise a chance. Some of the more significant barriers to entry have been removed with Capcom’s efforts to modernize Resident Evil. Auto-updating maps, discardable key items, and flexible difficulty don’t take away from the tension or challenge of these titles, just the tedium.

​​​​​​​Resident Evil 4's (2023) side quests and Merchant system included tons of optional content that felt meaningful. Players can now complete challenges for reasons other than bragging rights, and the challenges encourage players to explore every ounce of the beautiful level design. This title brought real customization and replay value that is sure to stick around in the future. When the Resident Evil 0 remake is finally revealed, we hope that all of these improvements make their way into the anticipated title.