All Studios Should Learn From Capcom When Making Remakes

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Abdullah Waseem

At HI Digital I test and write about different hardware configurations to show other PC users what they can expect from their build. My end goal is to educate the masses to make the right decision when they are looking for new PC parts to buy

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Capcom is one of the finest studios out there. The long-standing company has some of the most memorable franchises across multiple genres. While the developer has actively made new games, it has also been remaking classic titles recently.

Remakes have seen a huge surge in popularity in recent years, with many companies rebuilding their classic games for the modern audience. At times, these remakes seem underwhelming compared to the original, but Capcom has perfected the formula. 

Capcom has remade Resident Evil 2, 3, and 4 so far. Barring Resident Evil 3, all of its remakes have been a huge hit. I would even argue that Resident Evil 3 was much better than most people gave it credit for.

Why it matters: The best remakes retain the classic identity while introducing modern elements into the mix. While this sounds simple on paper, many developers often struggle to find this balance.

Combining Classic With Modern: A Perfect Recipe

The trend of remakes isn’t new for Capcom. It dates back to the early 2000s when the developer remade Resident Evil for newer consoles. The title was originally launched as a Nintendo Gamecube exclusive but was later released for a wider audience.

However, the remakes we know today kicked off with Resident Evil 2, which was the start of immense success. To date, the remake is the best-selling entry in the entire series, standing at over 13.9 million units sold.

The best part about the remake is that it offers a great combination of classic and modern elements. Though the story was kept mostly the same, the mechanics and gameplay were tweaked quite a lot, making it a better version of the original.

Then came Resident Evil 3. While it wasn’t as flawless as its predecessor, it proved to be yet another solid recreation, at least for me. However, the developer dialed everything up to eleven with last year’s Resident Evil 4 Remake.

Already considered one of the best releases in the franchise, this remake took the fourth entry to a whole new level. The visual upgrades, polished combat, improved storyline, and more raised the bar for any future remake.

It eliminated the annoying gameplay elements that felt outdated in the original. Moreover, it gave the other characters, such as Luis and Ashley, more personality. All in all, it retained the original’s class and multiplied it by quite a lot.

The Faults With Other Remakes

We recently got an extended look at Silent Hill 2 Remake gameplay, but the audience’s reaction was very mixed. On the one hand, they were excited about returning to the franchise, and on the other hand, they were disappointed in the gameplay and visuals. 

While the final product might be great, fans have undoubtedly become concerned about it. Similarly, Metal Gear Solid 3 has drawn some criticism for providing an uncanny blend of classic and modern elements.

Fans have pointed to outdated animations, even though the overall footage looks solid. Moving over to Demon’s Souls Remake, this re-release was an incredible PS5 first-party title.

However, for all its strengths, it failed to recapture FromSoftware’s meticulously crafted atmosphere. Consider Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, and you’ll see even more remakes that fall flat.

Sticking too closely to their original Nintendo DS counterparts, these 2021 Pokemon entries were largely criticized for not doing enough as remakes. These are just a few examples, but making a solid remake is easier said than done.

Fortunately, developers can look up to Capcom if they intend to do it right.

More Capcom Remakes

According to a recent survey, fans have demanded that Capcom revive Dino Crisis. A Resident Evil-like remake would be more than welcome for this IP.

On the other hand, we know that Capcom is working on more remakes. These include projects based on Resident Evil Zero and Code Veronica, fulfilling a longtime fan demand in the latter’s case.

The best part is that Capcom isn’t just doing remakes; it’s working on Resident Evil 9 at the same time. In recent years, the studio also dropped great titles like Dragon’s Dogma 2, Street Fighter 6, and more.

Moreover, it has denied any kind of exclusivity and retained a business model that has stayed profitable for many years. With all the projects in the pipeline, I am stoked to see what this studio has in store for us next.

Abdullah Waseem

[How-To Guides Expert]

Laiba, our tech guru at HI Digital, simplifies and crafts How-To Guides with a Google IT Support Certificate. Beyond tech, she captures the city’s aesthetics through her lens. Join her journey where tech meets creativity!

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