Current Events > Capcom thought people would not want to play the original RE 1, 2, and 3

(+) Yeah! (+)

I tend to share my colleague Ted Litchfield's philosophy when it comes to remakes. Do what you want (though I prefer reinvention to a one-to-one remake), just don't kill access to the original. It doesn't seem like too much to ask for: the kids get to play a version of a classic, I get to keep playing my old favourite like 2005 never ended. Everyone's happy.

Everyone but Capcom, anyway, which apparently took some real arm-twisting to get the original Resident Evil 1, 2, and 3 PC releases on GOG last year. It seems GOG had to make a few persuasion rolls to get Capcom to agree to it. Not necessarily because the company had business concerns about the move, but more because its execs literally couldn't conceive of why anyone would want to play the originals when their shiny remakes exist.

"Capcom were like, 'We have all of those remakes. Its already the superior experience to those games,'" GOG's senior bizdev manager Marcin Paczynski told The Game Business. "They didnt really see the value in bringing back the vanilla versions." Which, on the bright side, confirms a lot of my prejudices about games industry executives and their appreciation of art.

So GOG had to work to convince Capcom that there do, in fact, exist human beings who like to play old games. "It took a lot of convincing that there is an audience that has a lot of memories about those games," said Paczynski, "and would love to experience exactly the same game again. Thankfully, we were able to convince them."

Which is great, of course. To be honest, I don't have memories of the original Resident Evil gamesthey seemed way too scary for child-me to ever pick up, but I still very much enjoyed heading back into the Spencer Mansion in all RE1's PS1-era glory when GOG put out those releases last year.

It might bamboozle the suits, but original games have their value even when you've put out a new version that's been UE5'd out the wazoo. Preservation is a positive end in itself; we'd probably be in a better state if more people with their hands on the pursestrings appreciated it.

https://www.pcgamer.com/games/resident-evil/capcom-execs-were-
bewildered-that-people-might-want-to-play-original-resident-evil-when
-gog-approached-them-about-it-we-have-all-of-those-remakes-its-
already-the-superior-experience/

RE3 Remake is not the "superior" experience...

Remake 3 was clearly rushed because they wanted to get to remake 4 faster.

Reminds me of Pokemon Crystal and Majoras mask. The remakes are solid as their own thing, but the originals have their own graphical charm and color palettes and lighting.

while I loved HGSS and mm3ds, the originals will always be my favorite for their art style. The remake of mm saturated all the colors.

It's unfortunate that's the mindset some devs have,, but it is rooted in some truth with how the general consumer base operates. If they want to play "Resident Evil 2" for the first time, they will most likely pick the remake over the classic version, at least first.

[LFAQs-redacted-quote]

These were the executives, not the developers.

KFHEWUI posted...

playing my old favourite like 2005 never ended.

Dude's favorite RE is 5 lmao /s

[LFAQs-redacted-quote]

It's not the devs, it's the publisher and the suits in charge.

Yeah, it really seems like once remakes of the classic RE games existed Capcom just wanted you playing those and not the originals.

That's a shame. I wish Capcom would do a collection (or several) of the classic Resident Evil games like they've done for Mega Man and a bunch of their fighting games.

DiScOrDtHeLuNaTiC posted...

These were the executives, not the developers.

Explains everything. Executives are idiot leeches.

Executives are number crunchers and tell their customers what they should want instead of asking them. Their arrogance leaves a lot of money on the table.

Jagus posted...

Reminds me of Pokemon Crystal and Majoras mask. The remakes are solid as their own thing, but the originals have their own graphical charm and color palettes and lighting.

while I loved HGSS and mm3ds, the originals will always be my favorite for their art style. The remake of mm saturated all the colors.

How do you feel about OoT 3D? They have the same artstyle, but MM 3D made some controversial changes

[LFAQs-redacted-quote]

They're not. They know how it works. They just want to sell a $60 game instead of a $10 game, and consequently don't want to give people the option.

The PR speak is just that way because for whatever reason they assume it's better for business if people think they're stupid than outright antagonizing them.

Letsago posted...

How do you feel about OoT 3D? They have the same artstyle, but MM 3D made some controversial changes

I loved OoT3D and I think it looks great, but from what I'm looking at right now (been a long time since I've played), the colors are significantly more saturated, and the lighting is much brighter.

I just prefer the less saturated and bright lighting of the originals, because I feel it adds a more realistic and subtle vibe.

I would be interested in seeing a mod or mock up that shows OoT3D's models with the original's palettes and lighting.

Sorry Capcom but the remakes are in fact not the superior versions.

You cut content from the RE2, RE3 and RE4 remakes, that doesn't make them superior.

The only good remake is the RE1 remake because not much if anything was changed or cut from the original game.

I was really surprised that Capcom actually released the MvC collection and Vol 2 which includes Capcom vs SNK 2.

[LFAQs-redacted-quote]

Because execs tend to think newest=best, and that means no one cares about anything less than the best.

[LFAQs-redacted-quote]

Yeah, both games have their pros and cons, even where the writing is concerned. OG has the better Ada and most of the villains, while the remake has the better Ashley and Krauser. I'd actually say I prefer the remake Leon these days, OG Leon was tonally bizarre.

Damnit Capcom. The ogs are still amazing. 3 remake is so bad that you have to stick with the og.

[LFAQs-redacted-quote]

It's not better than the original when it cut content that was in the original and then made it paid DLC. not to mention that Mercenaries mode wasn't included from day one which is kinda weird.

Ive never played any Resident Evil.

where is the best place to start?
(I have PS5, PC and Switch)

and do the games have a continuing storyline?

execs are morons

2 and 3 are fine for replay.

1 is a harder sell because of voice acting. Ignore that and its still a great game.

Xerun posted...

Ive never played any Resident Evil.

where is the best place to start?
(I have PS5, PC and Switch)

and do the games have a continuing storyline?

If you want to try one of the classic fixed camera survival horror games play RE HD Remaster. It's a remake of the original game so there's nothing you need to know story-wise.

For one of the more modern survival horror games either RE7 or RE2 remake are good. RE7 doesn't have much connection to the older games. RE2's story follows the first game but you don't follow the same characters and you won't be lost going in cold.

If you want one of the more action style games, RE4 remake is the way to go. The main character is from RE2 but mostly that's relevant in terms of his connection to one other character in the game. The story is mostly its own thing and doesn't have a lot to do with RE1-3.

Xerun posted...

and do the games have a continuing storyline?

They do, but RE7 is considered a soft reboot for the series the same way God of War 2018 was: still technically a sequel and you'll definitely miss some stuff without the previous games, but contained enough to be good on its own

Do you think Capcom is brave enough to remake RE5?

UnsteadyOwl posted...

If you want to try one of the classic fixed camera survival horror games play RE HD Remaster. It's a remake of the original game so there's nothing you need to know story-wise.

For one of the more modern survival horror games either RE7 or RE2 remake are good. RE7 doesn't have much connection to the older games. RE2's story follows the first game but you don't follow the same characters and you won't be lost going in cold.

If you want one of the more action style games, RE4 remake is the way to go. The main character is from RE2 but mostly that's relevant in terms of his connection to one other character in the game. The story is mostly its own thing and doesn't have a lot to do with RE1-3.

ChrisTaka posted...

They do, but RE7 is considered a soft reboot for the series the same way God of War 2018 was: still technically a sequel and you'll definitely miss some stuff without the previous games, but contained enough to be good on its own

Thanks! Are any of the Pre-7 games considered must plays?

Mr_Karate_II posted...

It's not better than the original when it cut content that was in the original and then made it paid DLC. not to mention that Mercenaries mode wasn't included from day one which is kinda weird.

Separate Ways wasn't in the original when it first launched, lol

BakonBitz posted...

Separate Ways wasn't in the original when it first launched, lol

Maybe not the gamecube version but it absolutely was on the PS2 version and the Xbox 360 version and the Xbox one version.

Assignment Ada was on the Gamecube version though.

Thats not the point though, the point was that the remake cut out both parts and charged extra for Separate Ways and completely cut out Assignment Ada and cut a bunch of other stuff.

The remake isn't even as hard as the original nor as fun. Removing a boss fight and complete sections of the game is dumb, sure the boss fight was included in Separate Ways but you have to pay to play the boss fight.

Don't defend dumb decisions to cut stuff out that was in the original game or ya know charge another $10 for said cut content on top of the $40 for the base game.

Xerun posted...

Ive never played any Resident Evil.

where is the best place to start?
(I have PS5, PC and Switch)

and do the games have a continuing storyline?

Don't waste your time playing the remakes of 2,3 or 4. They cut stuff that was in the original out of the remake for whatever reason. The remake of 2 cut out the unique scenarios, 3 cut out complete sections and 4 removed a boss fight and a bonus campaign that was included in the PS2 version of 4.

The originals are available on Playstation so just play those if you want the real experience.

Xerun posted...

Thanks! Are any of the Pre-7 games considered must plays?

If you have a friend to play with (The partner AI is awful), RE5 may end up being one of the most fun co-op games you ever play.

chris1001_the_sequel posted...

If you have a friend to play with (The partner AI is awful), RE5 may end up being one of the most fun co-op games you ever play.

When I originally played 5 I didn't have a friend to play with so I was all on my own but it wasn't too bad if I did most of the heavy lifting.

5 has an exploitable treasure mechanic, helps a lot.

Xerun posted...

Ive never played any Resident Evil.

where is the best place to start?
(I have PS5, PC and Switch)

and do the games have a continuing storyline?

Most of the games has a continuing storyline yeah. In particular resident evil 1, 2, 3, and code veronica is for the first half of the series.

I actually recommend starting right at the very beginning with RE1 remake, which nowadays got re-released on all the modern platforms as Resident evil 1 HD remastered. This version of the game even has a control method where you don't have to bother with tank controls if you don't want to.

This may sound like sacrilege as a guy who's favorite resident evil game to this day is still the original version of resident evil 2, but for a series newbie I say it is 100 percent fine to just play resident evil 2 remake instead. Us serious enthusiasts can easily point out things that are missing from the new version of resident eveil 2, but since you are a newbie you wouldn't even notice or care (which is not a bad thing at all). RE2 remake plays great and still tells the exact same story.

Same thing goes for resident evil 3. Its completely fine to just play resident evil 3 remake and get the story it tells.

I forgot if code veronica got released on the PC or the switch if you play on those platforms, but you can buy this game still on the playstation 5/4 or the xbox. (You'd be playing the PS2 version on the PS4 or 5, and the xbox version would be playing the BC code veronica HD that was released back on the 360. Its debatable on which version fans prefer, but either way code veronica in general is playable on the playstation or xbox easy enough).

Cap it all off with resident evil 4 remake. (Amazing game imo and easily my 2nd or 3rd favorite in the series at this point).

But yeah, my opinion for both resident evil 5 (which you will have to play at some point since this game is the finale for the first major antagonist), and resident evil 6 is that both of these should be co-op experiences only. They were made to be experienced in co-op what with the constant partner.

I have heard stories of just how bad resident evil 5's AI is, but luckily for me I have never experienced it myself since I have always had my best friend or my brother to play through that game with, lol. If you need to then grab someone from gamefaqs to play with ya'. Hell I'd play if you ever got around to these games one day.

it is a mindset common to japanese game devs to just set fire to their entire source code as soon as a game ships that they've only recently started to remedy (because they need the code to do live-service stuff)

this is why almost all of the PS1 game catalogue is essentially lost media when it comes to (legal) ports

UnsteadyOwl posted...

That's a shame. I wish Capcom would do a collection (or several) of the classic Resident Evil games like they've done for Mega Man and a bunch of their fighting games.

I would take a RE 1, 2, and 3 collection like GOG has, but that is most likely never going to happen. Oh, well I still have the original releases on PC.

PowerOats posted...

Do you think Capcom is brave enough to remake RE5?

Take it with a grain of salt, but the rumor is that the next remakes will be Zero then Code Veronica. If 5 happens it would be 2030 by the earliest.

Xerun posted...

Ive never played any Resident Evil.

where is the best place to start?
(I have PS5, PC and Switch)

and do the games have a continuing storyline?

1 is my favorite of the series. 2 is one of the best. 3 is good. 0 is awful and badly needs a remake. 4 is good but it was not my cup of tea. I enjoyed 5 more than 4. 6 is dreadful. Never played 7 or 8. Code Veronica was meh. It could also benefit from a remake.

Xerun posted...

Thanks! Are any of the Pre-7 games considered must plays?

Most of them, to be honest. Id skip 6, Village and the remake of 2, personally. But most people would disagree with me about 2.

chris1001_the_sequel posted...

If you have a friend to play with (The partner AI is awful), RE5 may end up being one of the most fun co-op games you ever play.

I played RE5 both on my own and in co-op. It's definitely a lot more fun in co-op. That's clearly what that game was made for.
Playing solo I found it was a good idea to give my partner a sniper rifle. Then they don't run into danger as much.

KFHEWUI posted...

I would take a RE 1, 2, and 3 collection like GOG has, but that is most likely never going to happen. Oh, well I still have the original releases on PC.

Yeah, I don't expect it to happen either. From what I understand with the GOG releases, the people at GOG were the ones who had to do the optimization to get the games running correctly on modern PCs. Capcom didn't care enough to do anything like that. Even though I'm sure they could with how good their recent fighting game collections have been. But it's going to take somebody at Capcom with some influence who cares about the classic RE games.

I think it's wonderful that GOG has the original version of RE1, but there is absolutely zero reason to ever play that version.

Voidgolem posted...

it is a mindset common to japanese game devs to just set fire to their entire source code as soon as a game ships that they've only recently started to remedy (because they need the code to do live-service stuff)

this is why almost all of the PS1 game catalogue is essentially lost media when it comes to (legal) ports

outside of nintendo yeah it seems to be standard

nintendo dont seem to throw out anything

I think it's great people are buying these. For 10 bucks you cant beat it. I just cant see myself dropping 30 bucks for 3 games I already have on Playstation. Same with the tomb raider remasters.

Turbam posted...

I think it's wonderful that GOG has the original version of RE1, but there is absolutely zero reason to ever play that version.

It's worth it for the writing and acting alone.

Heck, Square Enix did compilation of Dragon Quest I-III back in the 2000s on the Wii at least in Japan. Which versions? Both the Famicom and Super Famicom ports.

Incidentally it makes me think of the iffy Super Mario All-Stars release Nintendo did on the Wii. I'd say if they released the version with Super Mario World, plus I-III (Both IIs) in 8 bit form, it would have been deemed a must have.

SauI_Goodman posted...

I think it's great people are buying these. For 10 bucks you cant beat it. I just cant see myself dropping 30 bucks for 3 games I already have on Playstation. Same with the tomb raider remasters.

I liked the fact that since I bought the old RE games years ago back on my PSP that I was able to get them as freebie downloads on the PS5.

I wouldn't have dropped the 10 dollars otherwise, but it was nice booting up OG RE2 for another round of nostalgia since I was able to just download it.

Turbam posted...

I think it's wonderful that GOG has the original version of RE1, but there is absolutely zero reason to ever play that version.

Says you.

https://youtu.be/pVyOCssIXgQ?si=qSRj3_VfceIbP9Tg

even tho i dont care much for the old Resident Evil games and would rather play these remakes, there's still a lot of people who have fond nostalgic memories of the originals and would like to continue having access to them. denying it by not releasing them would be outright stupid...

Id love to get a remaster for the original trilogy like how they did with the original Tomb Raider games.

Capcom has been diligently releasing old games on eShop, Steam, XBLA, and PSN in the digital storefront era for the past two decades. This is a smokescreen and there's probably some other reason they were giving GoG a hard time like they wanted a bigger cut, or they wanted the remakes to be the easiest available jumping-in point for the franchise if someone wanted to start at the "first game", or something.

I'm not buying the given reason.