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 insights into the decision-making process behind bringing back the iconic 1998 game. He noted that the project was greenlit after recognizing the fervent desire from fans to see the classic restored to its former glory. Anpo remarked, "We realized: people really want this to happen," to which producer Hirabayashi responded decisively, "Alright, we'll do it."

Initially, the team contemplated starting with Resident Evil 4. However, after thorough discussions, they acknowledged that the game was already highly acclaimed and nearly perfect. The risk of altering such a beloved title was significant. Consequently, the focus shifted to the earlier installment, which was in dire need of modernization. The developers even delved into fan projects to gain a deeper understanding of player expectations.

Despite Capcom's internal deliberations, the fanbase expressed mixed feelings following the release of the remakes and the announcement of Resident Evil 4's remake. Many argued that, unlike its predecessors, Resident Evil 4 did not require as much updating. While Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3, originally released in the 1990s for the PlayStation, featured outdated elements such as fixed camera angles and cumbersome controls, Resident Evil 4, released in 2005, had revolutionized the genre. Despite these concerns, the remake successfully maintained the essence of the original while enhancing gameplay and narrative elements.

The commercial success and overwhelmingly positive critical feedback validated Capcom's approach. It demonstrated that even a game considered nearly untouchable could be reimagined respectfully and creatively.