The remakes of Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 4 were daunting to develop

Yasuhiro Anpo, director of the Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 4 remakes, revealed that the decision to revisit Resident Evil 2 stemmed from overwhelming fan demand. As Anpo stated, "We realized: people really want this to happen," prompting producer Hirabayashi's simple response, "Alright, we'll do it."

Initially, Resident Evil 4 was considered the starting point. However, discussions led the team to believe that its already high acclaim meant significant changes risked damaging a near-perfect game. Instead, they focused on the older Resident Evil 2, recognizing its need for modernization. To better understand player desires, the developers even studied fan-made projects.

The decision wasn't without internal debate at Capcom. Even after the release of two remakes and the announcement of a third, some fans questioned the need for an RE4 update, unlike its predecessors.

While the 1990s PlayStation originals, Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3, undeniably suffered from outdated fixed camera angles and clunky controls, Resident Evil 4's 2005 release revolutionized the survival horror genre. Despite initial reservations, the remake successfully preserved the original's essence while significantly enhancing gameplay and narrative.

The remake's commercial triumph and critical acclaim validated Capcom's decision, proving that even seemingly untouchable classics can be respectfully reimagined with creativity and a keen understanding of the original's legacy.