Resident Evil 1 Remake Reportedly Begins Early Development

Capcom has quietly started early work on a modern remake of the original Resident Evil, potentially bringing the series back to where the nightmare first began.

Everything started inside a creepy mansion, and now it looks like players could be heading back there once again. Capcom has reportedly begun early development on a full remake of the original Resident Evil. The project is said to have entered pre-production around August or September last year, which means it's still likely a long way from release. Even so, the news has already sparked plenty of excitement among fans of the legendary survival horror series.

If the claim proves out to be accurate, it would finally bring the first Resident Evil up to date like Resident Evil 2, Resident Evil 3, and Resident Evil 4 have been brought up to date over the last few years. Those remakes were acclaimed for reviving the gameplay while keeping the core that made the originals so memorable, and many fans question why the game that started the franchise never got the same treatment.

Here is where it all began. The first Resident Evil. It introduced gamers to the enigmatic Spencer Mansion, memorable characters such as Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine, and a breed of survival horror that would shape the gaming industry for decades to come. While the game did receive a well-loved remake on the Nintendo GameCube years ago, it has never been rebuilt using Capcom's RE Engine, which powers the studio's recent Resident Evil games.

That makes this reported remake feel like a natural next step. New players would get to experience the roots of the series with modern visuals and gameplay, while longstanding fans could return one of the most iconic horror settings in gaming in a whole new way.

The report also noted how significant remakes have become for Capcom.

Rather of waiting years between brand-new entries, the firm has discovered a great rhythm in mixing fresh games like Resident Evil 7, Resident Evil Village and Resident Evil 9 with enhanced versions of classic classics. It’s a method that’s kept the franchise alive, and brought previous storylines to a new audience. But here's the big question: what happens after Resident Evil 1?

With Resident Evil Code: Veronica also expected to receive a remake, fans are already looking ahead. One of the biggest possibilities is Resident Evil 5. The game remains one of the best-selling entries in the franchise, but it also marked a major shift toward action and co-op gameplay. That worked well during the PlayStation 3 era, but the series has since returned to slower, more suspenseful horror.

So if Capcom ever does decide to recreate Resident Evil 5, will it be true to the original action-heavy experience or will it take a little more of a survival horror approach like the recent remakes? Finding the right balance won't be easy, and that's exactly what makes the idea so interesting.

There's also another name that keeps popping up whenever Capcom remakes are discussed: Dino Crisis. Fans have spent years asking for the classic dinosaur survival horror series to return, and many believe the RE Engine would be the perfect technology to bring it back.

While there's no indication that such a project is happening, the possibility continues to fuel speculation.

But for now, the focus remains squarely on Resident Evil.  According to reports, the remake is still in its infancy thus fans should not expect an announcement anytime soon. Still, the thought of exploring the Spencer Mansion again with today's graphics and gameplay is enough to get longtime players excited.

Capcom has spent the last few years proving it knows how to bring old classics back to life. If the original Resident Evil is truly next in line, the company could be revisiting the very place where survival horror became a gaming phenomenon. Now the only question is, once the mansion doors reopen, which classic horror adventure should Capcom bring back after that?