Instead of rebooting the Resident Evil franchise to its glory days, Capcom has decided to announce another remaster on the way to current and last gen consoles. Yes, the prequel to the series, Resident Evil 0 will launch some time in 2016 in Japan. A release for other territories has yet to be announced but it will happen considering the first remaster exceeded expectations.
The game was announced at an event in Japan and is currently in development. The original staff and director Koji Oda are returning to helm the remaster. Capcom will have more details on the game in the coming weeks. E3 anyone?
For those that don’t remember, Resident Evil 0 takes place slightly before the events that Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine embark on the creepy mansion that loyal Resident Evil fans are fond of. The game features Rebecca Chambers, a police officer, as well as a prisoner on death row in Billy Coen. The unlikely duo must fend off the impending zombie outbreak. Players could switch between both characters on the fly throughout their playthrough with the game feature called ‘partner zapping.’ Both Chambers and Coen possess unique abilities that you’ll need to take advantage of if you want to survive.
Earlier this year, Capcom brought us all arguably the greatest entry in the Resident Evil franchise, with the game that started it all, Resident Evil HD. A high definition remake that ditched the older tank controls and gave players a newer, free form stick-based control scheme. Camera angles were slightly changed to create a more optimal playing experience. The graphics got a facelift that pushed all the textures to 1080p resolution.
Resident Evil 0 will most likely adapt all the key upgrades found in the remaster that was released this year. Capcom has suggested that “HD remasters will be one of their key business activities” going forward. So it’s plausible that we’ll be getting Resident Evil 2 and 3 again. But the question now becomes, will they get lazy and ship those entries with the original Nintendo 64 and PlayStation 1 graphics again?
I would certainly hope not. The work they have put into Resident Evil HD has certainly paid off being their fastest selling digital title in the company’s history. Resident Evil 2 and 3 would possibly rake in even more sales because fans have been clamouring for these games to receive aesthetic upgrades since the last generation. Almost as much as people that have been pleading for Final Fantasy VII remaster. They would be printing money if Resident Evil 2 were slated for a 2017 release and Resident Evil 3 the following year. Only time will tell if that will be the case. So far, sounds like Capcom is giving people what they want. The classics revamped in beautiful high-definition graphics. Now it’s your turn Square Enix.
All these remasters could be holding us off for another number entry in stored survival horror classic franchise. Everyone wants the return to the series roots in Resident Evil 7. So maybe them looking at their previous masterpieces will keep the ball rolling for what’s next.
Resident Evil 0 HD Remaster will release on PS4, PS3, Xbox One, Xbox 360 and PC sometime early 2016.
Do you think Resident Evil 0 remaster means more classic entries will see the light of day? Chime in the comments below.
