Fresh from the triumph of Resident Evil 4’s remake and its subsequent support, the series now has the option to proceed with either Resident Evil 9 or another remake. Titles like Resident Evil 5, Resident Evil 6, and CODE:Veronica could all be brought back, along with earlier entries such as RE1 and RE0. The prospect of remaking these games, particularly the controversial Resident Evil 6, is undeniably intriguing.
The idea of a Resident Evil 6 remake is particularly compelling, given its status as the most poorly received entry in the series. The game marked the series' transition from horror to action but lacked the charisma and innovation that made Resident Evil 4 a highly acclaimed shooter. Even the full campaign co-op, which redeemed the equally divisive Resident Evil 5 for many players, failed to salvage RE6. If the Resident Evil remakes eventually reach this installment, extensive changes will be imperative, although it wouldn't be the first time an RE remake underwent a radical transformation.
Resident Evil 3 Remake's Lesson in Loss
While Resident Evil 6 generally ranks as the least popular mainline title, Resident Evil’s remakes also have their own missteps. Following the success of the Resident Evil 2 remake, Jill made her highly anticipated return to the franchise in 2020's Resident Evil 3. This remake aimed to adapt the often-overlooked third game in Resident Evil’s PS1 trilogy, a cult classic primarily known for not reaching the heights of RE2 but possessing its unique allure.
Removal of Essential Elements Diminished RE3 Remake
Regrettably, the Resident Evil 3 remake might be overshadowed by its predecessor due to the substantial content it omitted. Nearly half of the campaign areas were absent, the original Mercenaries mode was replaced by the unsuccessful Resident Evil: Resistance multiplayer spin-off, choice-based story paths were eliminated, and the no-longer-titular Nemesis was a far less dynamic pursuer than before. Longtime fans were outraged by how RE3 was handled, especially considering that its concepts directly contributed to the successful redesign of Mr. X in the Resident Evil 2 remake. However, the likelihood of a second attempt is unfortunately slim.
Embracing Cut Content for the Resident Evil 6 Remake
Nevertheless, the approach taken with Resident Evil 3's remake was not inherently flawed, just misplaced. A remake of Resident Evil 6 treated similarly to RE3’s remake could result in a significantly improved outcome for both games. Resident Evil 6’s four campaigns were notoriously bloated, with little more than a vague virus, convoluted evil organization, and a few scenes shared among them. Additionally, the forced incorporation of co-op features, introducing newcomers Jake, Piers, and Helena as prominent figures alongside familiar Resident Evil characters like Sherry, Chris, and Leon, further compounded the issues. Ada Wong's post-launch epilogue campaign further underscored this redundancy by employing a generic agent as its co-op partner, leaving potential remakes in an awkward position.
Adopting RE3 Remake's Approach for RE6
While numerous issues in Resident Evil 6 demand attention, emulating RE3’s remake and excising its superfluous elements should take precedence. Co-op elements can be retained if a remake of RE5 has already laid the groundwork, but they need to be toned down. A revamped Resident Evil 6 would benefit from a storyline centered on Chris and Leon, providing the most prominent Resident Evil protagonists the opportunity to share the spotlight, with Ada intermittently woven into the narrative. Sherry’s campaign, featuring Jake as an enigmatic figure, could be exchanged with Ada's epilogue as post-release DLC. These changes would transform a Resident Evil 6 remake into a completely fresh addition to the series, potentially unearthing the hidden potential buried within it.