Capcom appears to be recalibrating its Resident Evil remake strategy, with plans for a Resident Evil 5 remake now seemingly shelved in favor of revisiting a classic title: Resident Evil Code: Veronica. Recent developments, including ESRB ratings and statements from a prominent leaker, paint a clearer picture of the company’s priorities for the iconic survival horror franchise.
Speculation surrounding a Resident Evil 5 remake intensified recently following a new rating appearing on the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) website for the Xbox Series X|S. This sparked hope among fans that an announcement was imminent, particularly given Capcom’s successful track record of remaking earlier entries in the series – Resident Evil 2, Resident Evil 3, and Resident Evil 4 – in recent years. The logical progression, many assumed, would be to tackle Resident Evil 5 next.
However, those expectations have been tempered by information shared by Dusk Golem, a well-known and generally reliable leaker within the Resident Evil community. Golem addressed the ESRB rating, explaining that it wasn’t a new development and didn’t solely pertain to Resident Evil 5. “Both Resident Evil 5 and Revelations and Revelations 2 received strange new ESRB ratings last year and nothing has materialized from it yet,” Golem stated in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
The leaker further clarified that Capcom is not currently greenlighting a remake of Resident Evil 5. Instead, the focus has shifted to Resident Evil Code: Veronica. “I assure you Resident Evil 5 did not get the go ahead for a remake. The next one will be the Code: Veronica remake,” Golem asserted. This claim aligns with previous reports suggesting that Code: Veronica is further along in development than a potential Resident Evil 5 remake.
This shift in focus isn’t entirely unexpected. Resident Evil Code: Veronica, originally released in 2000, holds a special place in the hearts of many long-time fans. It’s often cited as a crucial entry in the series, bridging the gap between the classic PlayStation titles and the more action-oriented entries that followed. Its complex narrative, challenging gameplay, and memorable characters make it a prime candidate for a modern remake.
The decision to prioritize Code: Veronica also potentially avoids some of the narrative challenges that a Resident Evil 5 remake might present. Resident Evil 5, while commercially successful, has faced criticism in recent years for its portrayal of Africa and its reliance on cooperative gameplay. Remaking the game would require careful consideration of these issues, potentially adding complexity and controversy to the project.
Golem also suggested that the recent ESRB ratings for multiple Resident Evil titles – including Resident Evil 5, Revelations, and Revelations 2 – may be related to Capcom’s plans for the franchise’s 30th anniversary. However, Golem emphasized that these ratings do not indicate imminent remakes. “I believe they are preparing something for the 30th anniversary of Resident Evil, but it’s not remakes, I assure you,” they stated.
The timing of the Code: Veronica remake announcement is also becoming clearer. Reports indicate that Capcom is planning to reveal the project later in . This timeline suggests that fans won’t have to wait too long to see what Capcom has in store for this beloved classic. The leaker also noted that Code: Veronica is in an advanced stage of development, further supporting the expectation of a relatively near-term announcement.
While the news may disappoint those eager for a Resident Evil 5 remake, the prospect of a faithful and modernized Code: Veronica is undoubtedly exciting for many in the Resident Evil community. Capcom’s commitment to revitalizing its classic titles continues, and Code: Veronica appears to be the next chapter in that ongoing effort. The company’s strategy of alternating between numbered titles and fan-favorite spin-offs seems to be continuing, ensuring a steady stream of content for fans of the franchise.
