We’ve known for a while now that Capcom is planning a remake for one of its most popular survival horror games ever, Resident Evil 4, but fans may have to wait a lot longer before they can step back into the boots of Leon S. Kennedy and blow the heads off of Ganados again.
According to sources with VGC, Osaka-based studio M-Two (which has been working on the Resident Evil 4 remake since 2018) has been kicked off the project due to disagreements over its direction and mishandling of last year’s Resident Evil 3. Resident Evil 4 is reportedly now in the hands of Capcom’s Division 1, the internal studio that was responsible for the critically acclaimed Resident Evil 2 remake.
“[…] multiple sources have indicated that, following a key project review late last year, it was decided that M-Two’s role on RE4’s remake would be significantly reduced,” VGC reported. “Capcom’s Division 1 – the internal team responsible for Resident Evil and Devil May Cry games – has now been brought in to lead the RE4 project.”
“It’s believed that the disagreements that led to M-Two’s reduced role involved the studio’s desire to stick faithfully to the template of the original Resident Evil 4, partly influenced by backlash to Resident Evil 3’s remake, which did not include significant portions of the original PlayStation game, much to fans’ disappointment.”
While the delay is unfortunate, we do like the idea of a Resident Evil 4 remake that follows more closely on the heels of 2019’s Resident Evil 2, which has been thoroughly applauded for its faithfulness to the original despite various changes such as revised maps and new characters/story elements. In contrast, Resident Evil 3 has been criticized for removing entire sections of the original game, as well as a number of iconic moments (e.g., Brad Vicker’s death at the hands/tendrils of S.T.A.R.S. stalker Nemesis).