As Capcom celebrates 42 years since its founding, now feels like the perfect time to look back and reflect on what some of their classic games might’ve been like had they come out in the modern era, rather than four decades ago.
One game that perfectly fits this thought experiment is their most divisive Resident Evil entry yet, Resident Evil 6. Interestingly, there’s strong potential that if Resident Evil 6 were released today, it would gain significantly more appeal in terms of modern standards, storytelling, and gameplay value. Why? Let’s get into it.
Capcom Then vs. Capcom Now
With new leadership and a refined focus, today’s Capcom is a very different beast from the one we saw decades ago. Sure, it was still a great studio back then; responsible for incredible titles like Devil May Cry, Okami, and Marvel vs. Capcom, but over time, it slipped into a slump, releasing a string of underwhelming entries like Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite, Devil May Cry 2, and of course, Resident Evil 6.
click to enlarge
+ 3Capcom’s pursuit of action-focused gameplay damaged the Resident Evil franchise. That shift left a deep bite mark on the series, with Capcom scrambling to figure out how to reignite player interest. Thankfully, they succeeded, releasing a soft reboot with Resident Evil VII, which breathed new life into the franchise.
After fumble after fumble, it became clear Capcom needed a major reset. And they found their stride again. Today, Capcom is one of the top-selling studios in the industry, with the Resident Evil franchise alone moving over 170 million units. It’s been one of the biggest turnarounds in gaming history — and it's been exciting to watch them put out titles like Monster Hunter Wilds and the upcoming Resident Evil 9: Requiem.
The RE Engine Could’ve Saved Resident Evil 6
click to enlarge+ 3The MT Framework engine seriously undermined the series’ atmosphere — it wasn’t built for horror.
Even if Resident Evil 6 faltered in narrative, it could’ve been a much stronger title if it had been built on the RE Engine. Just imagine Sherry and Jake’s frantic escape from the relentless Ustanak rendered in today’s visuals, or Leon and Helena’s eerie crypt sequence brought to life with modern lighting and sound design. It would’ve been something to behold.
A More Focused Narrative, Fewer Playable Characters
Given how much Capcom’s storytelling standards have improved, a modern Resident Evil 6 would likely reduce the number of playable characters to reduce bloat and narrative confusion. We’d probably see a more focused story centered on one or two leads, with others filling in as NPCs, similar to what was done in Resident Evil 3 Remake or Resident Evil Village.
Co-op would almost certainly remain a key feature, as it was a major selling point back then. But with today’s tech, there are better ways to offer a co-op experience without relying on split-screen, which would've broken the immersion and tension of its horror.
click to enlarge+ 3All of this is pure daydreaming, of course. But honestly, I would’ve loved to see Resident Evil 6 come out today, crafted with the same level of care and standards Capcom now applies to the franchise. Whether a remake is on the horizon remains to be seen. If it ever happens, they’ll have to restructure nearly everything for it to truly work.
For more Resident Evil content, stick with us here at Gfinityesports.com, the best website for Resident Evil.
For more articles like this, take a look at our Features and Resident Evil page.