[OPEN LETTER] Capcom, Please Treat Resident Evil With Respect

Within a week, we've seen a rumor turn into reality nearly instantly with Capcom unveiling Resident Evil: Revival Selections in Japan, with each game in that collection - Resident Evil 4 and Code: Veronica X - coming as downloadable titles to the US, later this year.

However, both games are being given the same treatment that Sony's many "HD Classics" series are receiving: updating textures, Achievements/Trophies, leaderboards, and just about everything else that this generation takes for granted, minus one thing in particular:

Updated polygon counts and a better camera system.

When Capcom first unveiled that Resident Evil was receiving a remake (quickly earning the nickname "REmake" or "REbirth", with the prefix "re-" being capitalized on purpose), in part of the "Capcom 5" deal they struck with Nintendo, fans were dumbfounded by the level of detail the remake received, and even some added bonuses as well. Considering the fixed camera angles, the background were pre-rendered - essentially Final Fantasy-level detail, but in-game, not in a cutscene - which allowed a much higher level of detail one could imagine in the previous generation. Capcom quickly followed this up with Resident Evil Ø, a prequel to the entire trilogy, taking place the night prior to the Spencer Estate with Jill and Chris. Minds weren't blown. They were blasted.

Later down the GameCube's life, Capcom announced they were bringing the rest of the Resident Evil franchise to the little lunch box, but when they denounced the games - Resident Evil 2, 3 and Code: Veronica X - would not be receiving the same treatment as REmake and REØ, fans were pissed. I was pissed. Everyone was pissed. Why would they just port the games over, rather than give fans - and those games - the treatment they deserved?

Resident Evil 4.