Summary
Resident Evil’s efforts in remaking its classic titles have been a huge success. First accomplished with the originalResident Evilin 2002, the idea was picked up again in 2019 with aResident Evil 2remake. This was so successful that it spawnedResident Evil 3, which, while unable to reach the same lofty heights, served alongsideResident Evil 8as concept-testing grounds for the remadeResident Evil 4. Considering how legendaryResident Evil 1through4are, it’s impressive how Capcom recaptured their appeal for modern audiences.
However, that begs the question of whereResident Evilwill go from here.Resident Evil 4is the highlight of the series for many, and now that it has been remade, it almost feels like there’s no point remaking anything else. It’s unclearwhatResident Evil 9will beapart from the first chapter after Ethan Winters' arc, though its announcement is still expected relatively soon. Rumors suggest that more remakes are on the way as well, but they would have the awkward task of tackling entries with more mixed reputations. All signs are pointing to eitherResident Evil Code: VeronicaorResident Evil 5remakes, but there is a path Capcom can take here to please all parties.
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Code: Veronica and RE5 Are Both Viable Resident Evil Remakes
When it comes to moving the story forward in the remake side ofResident Evil, the options are eitherCode: Veronica, a survival horror title starring Claire and Chris Redfield released in 2000, or the 2009 co-op shooterResident Evil 5with Chris and Sheva Alomar.Neither are particularly malignedResident Eviltitles, but they could do with remakes, especially if Capcom intends to have Chris Redfield or Albert Wesker star in new mainline entries. While nothing is confirmed, many suspect that the next arc ofResident Evilwill concern the classic hero and villain duo, so it would make sense to have them reintroduced ahead of time.
This raises the issue of these games' release order, assuming both are coming. With the lastREgame having been a remake, many are looking forward toRE9next. After that, however, things could vary.Code: Veronicacould use a remake to bring its tone, lore, and design in line with modernResident Evil. Meanwhile,Resident Evil 5offers an engaging co-op experience, but is weighed down by poor AI in singleplayer, racially insensitive content, and a thin plot meant to facilitate more action. Remakes would benefit both games, so Capcom shouldn’t hesitate in publicly confirming both.
Resident Evil’s Immediate Future Should Be Laid Bare
To quickly settle any debates aboutResident Evil’s upcoming releases,Resident Evil Code: VeronicaandResident Evil 5’s remakes should be announced simultaneously and with a clear release order. It could even be framed like the 2015 announcement of theResident Evil 2remake, simply confirming its existence long before anything was ready to be shown. This way, Capcom can settle debates on the franchise’s direction, and most likelygiveCode: Veronicasome time to shine first.
Either title would put Chris Redfield back into the main protagonist’s seat, butCode: Veronicawould both conclude Claire’s story from theResident Evil 2remake and properly establish Wesker as a major villain. This would lead into a remadeResident Evil 5, which would explain what Chris was doing beforeRE7, as well as sow the seeds forAlbert Wesker’s revival in a new game. After being absent for so long, Wesker’s inclusion in theRE4remake felt devoid of context, so he needs both of these games to set his character back up. By confirmingCode: VeronicaandResident Evil 5remakes, Capcom could move forward confidently while fans rest easy knowing that plenty ofResident Evilis coming.
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