Ever closer we tread to the release of Resident Evil 3, (I mean, it's 3 months aways but that's still technically closer than last time.) and the excitement is positively tangible. However, due to Capcom's decision to keep this title under wraps until the last possible moment, there are no more big trade shows between now and it's release, meaning that we have to rely on infrequent interviews and news drops to ascertain any idea of what this game will finally look like. Capcom seem to enjoy holding this power over us too, or at least that's the impression that I've got from the way that they've incessantly teased us these past few days. But I understand that it's all part of the theatrics and a small part of me does actually enjoy it, albeit in a begrudging manner.
It is through this irregular channel of reveals that the Resident Evil fandom received some information from a Capcom TV Interview. (Which had to be translated, of course.) Here we learnt that the key driving goals behind the premises of this remake and the Resident Evil 2 remake are actually different in that this time around they aren't trying to be as faithful. When the original Resident Evil 2 first launched, it followed a very successful initial zombie outing, only to promptly eclipse that and, incidentally, everything else that Capcom had ever made before. The original Resident Evil 2 is revered as a classic for good reason, everyone played it and agreed that it did everything right to up-the-ante from the first title. It was the 'Aliens' to Capcom's 'Alien'. With that in mind, it didn't make sense for the remake to stray too far away from the formula that made the original game so special because that's the kind of thing a clueless Disney rep would approve, not a Capcom Developer who cares about their product.
In Resident Evil 3: Nemesis' case, however, the praise wasn't nearly as profound. Don't get me wrong Resident Evil 3 wasn't trashed on by any means, in fact, it's considered the last 'pure' outing in the mainline series before the games started becoming... weird. (I love you, Resident Evil 4, but we both know you ain't all there.) That being said, Resident Evil 3 was not the 'revolutionary step-up' that RE2 was to the original, and that led to the title becoming largely forgotten. It was mostly just a remix of Resident Evil 2 (Which, funnily enough, is how it was made so expediently) and that meant that folk merely looked at this title like an addendum to that game. (A matter not helped by the fact that the entire story occurs concurrently to Resident Evil 2 and seems to follow what can be charitably described as "The B-Plot".) This perception has been perpetuated all the way to modern day with many folk, including myself, believing that Resident Evil 3 should have been slapped onto the Resident Evil 2: Remake package as DLC. Capcom have come out and confirmed that this isn't their plan, and now they're seeking to justify that decision by making a few key alterations to Resident Evil 3's fundamental story, ideally earning it's independence.
The most obvious departure from the original is the way in which the lead stars have been envisioned. They have been spruced up to meet with modern design standards, (And, I'd imagine, to resemble a couple of unnaturally beautiful models that Capcom hired) as well as to fit a more action-oriented theme. That means Jill has been deprived of her iconic tube-corset-top-thing from the original and given a breathable tank top. (She might actually be able to turn her torso in that!) Carlos has also been given a redesign with his hair now resembling something that you might find squashed in the middle of a highway (So that's an improvement, I guess.) Carlos is also said to hold a much more important role in this title, becoming a worthy partner to help Jill through this nightmare. (Hey, maybe that means he'll actually be memorable as a character this time around.)
Capcom also want to expand the spotlight of characters who aren't narratively essential, those who's story could prove insightful for the larger world, such as Dario. If you remember Robert Kendo from the first game, the gun store owner who has the heartbreaking task of looking after his infected daughter, then you likely don't remember Dario as Kendo completely outshines him. Dario is the only civilian in Resident Evil 3 and is supposed to serve as the audiences indication of how Raccoon City is falling apart (on a budget, seeing as how he is only one guy.) Honestly, I don't remember this guy much even though you actually interact with him more than Kendo in the original, this could really use with a remodelling in this remake. Perhaps this time around he'll become as well-remembered to audiences as Remake Marvin was, but we'll have to wait and see.
Another more practical revision for this time around is the return of one of the most deadly non-boss enemies in this franchise; The Hunter. back in the original Resident Evil, the amphibious Hunter was one of the most terrifying monsters in the mansion, not for appearance but for pure deadly potential. Resident Evil 3 originally bought these monsters back as Hunter Beta, which was essentially the exact same creature with a different name. However, in the years since their powerful mythos has been sullied by numerous low-power appearances in the plethora of rail-shooter Resident Evil titles. (There were like, three.) This Remake intends to rethrone these killing machines as the worst things to come across in a narrow alley way, whilst giving them an update which will be 'Appropiate considering the new style of movement'. Whatever that means.
Finally, of course, there are the changes that are coming to the big bad himself, Nemesis. Although we've yet to actually see the fellow in action, the leaked boxart is enough for us to see that his design has varied significantly from his original outing. Instead of the patch-work Frankenstein look from the original, Nemesis has a 'stretched-face' dynamic that works better in accentuating the 'body-horror' vibes of Resident Evil. Once again the team has teased some fundamental changes to the way that Nemesis operates that they are unwilling to go into, only highlighting that he will be more aggressive than Mr.X from the RE2 Remake. I'm not entirely sure what we can derive from this, but I have a feeling that it might have something to do with the multiple boss encounters that we are destined to face throughout the main story. Perhaps this time around there is no way to 'defeat him' like in the original, only to slow him down for a few moments whilst you make an escape. (Similar to how Mr. X worked.) I think that would certainly help retain the 'fear-factor' that the original lost from having you slay the Nemesis over and over.
The art of the remake is an unspecific science, but I've always approached it from the camp that "Change is good, as long as it keeps the spirit of the original." Many recent Disney remakes have been blasted for forgetting key themes of it's source material and even the Final Fantasy 7 remake is facing backlash for the way they've cut up the story for no good reason. Capcom have proved themselves before, however, so I'm more inclined to believe them when they say that they know how to change this title for the better. My worries, therefore, are not on their continuing efforts but now on the rumored 'secret new game' that Capcom are currently recruiting their 'Ambassadors' to playtest. The obvious guess would be Resident Evil 8, but a recent trade filing could indicate the return of a franchise that is a lot more... prehistoric. (Actually 'Dino Crisis' is set in the future, but you get what I'm hinting at.) More on that as the situation develops.
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