Game review: Resident Evil remake - still wicked after 19 years

Capcom

Some classics never die. The original Resident Evil is a frightening masterpiece, an iconic game that debuted on PCs in 1996 and all but created the survival horror genre. Nearly two decades later, the series is still lumbering along zombie-like through inferior sequels and spinoffs, never managing to regain its initially startling composure.

It's little surprise that developer Capcom has bestowed upon us another remake of the never-bested original. Available on the PS4, PS3, Xbox One, Xbox 360 and PC, this edition is in fact a remake of a remake, and obsessive fans will recall the then-impressive 2002 Gamecube update of the game.

The Nintendo exclusive came at a time when remakes were a rare occurrence in the game world, made all the more impressive that it was fully spearheaded by Evil's original architect, Shinji Mikami.

The appropriated concept was kept intact, where a team of cops encounter zombie attacks in a haunted mansion, but the Gamecube edition was no mere graphical update.

It broke down the already-pioneering game to its very core. Gameplay mechanics were rebuilt from the ground up, with a fresh focus on resource management, new areas to explore and borrowed elements from the other sequels. There was also a complete overhaul of the surface-level details, with inspired B-movie visuals and sound.