Capcom’s Resident Evil 4 Remake has taken the gaming world by storm, earning praise from both die-hard fans and critics. However, behind this success story is an intriguing admission by Shinji Mikami, the original mastermind behind Resident Evil 4. Let’s just say, his approach to the original story wasn’t exactly a labor of love.
The Original: A Two-Week Sprint
In a recent interview, Shinji Mikami candidly revealed that the original storyline for Resident Evil 4 was, in his words, “half-assed.” And no, he’s not being overly critical of himself—he’s owning up to the fact that he slapped together the plot in just two weeks! This quick-and-dirty approach might sound shocking, but it’s even more impressive to think about how the original game became such an iconic entry in the franchise.
So, when Capcom announced they were remaking Resident Evil 4, fans couldn’t help but wonder: Would the new developers stay true to Mikami’s rushed plot or take it to the next level?
Remaking the Classics: A Whole New Level
Mikami admits he wasn’t just satisfied with the remake—he was genuinely impressed. Speaking with IGN, he emphasized that the key to a great remake lies in understanding the fundamental elements that made the original a success. This isn’t just about recreating characters or settings, but capturing the spirit of the original game and rebuilding it from the ground up
He noted how the remake team went beyond just polishing what was there. They dove deep into the game’s DNA, fleshing out the characters and reworking the dialogue. Mikami specifically highlighted how they expanded his bare-bones plot and breathed life into the characters’ relationships, refining their interactions in ways he hadn’t originally envisioned.
“Another thing I thought was really well done was the way they took the half-assed scenario that I just wrote up in two weeks and really built up on that and really fleshed it out,” Mikami shared in the interview. This attention to character dynamics and understanding the backbone of each figure in the game is what he believes truly set the remake apart.
What’s Next for Resident Evil Fans?
While Mikami seems thrilled with the Resident Evil 4 Remake, the big question now is: What’s next for Capcom and the Resident Evil series? Rumors are already circulating about potential remakes of earlier games, though these might not have quite the same grand ambitions as the RE4 remake. Meanwhile, fans are holding their breath for the next mainline installment—yes, we’re talking about Resident Evil 9.
Capcom hasn’t spilled the beans just yet, but one thing’s for sure—if the Resident Evil 4 Remake taught us anything, it’s that Capcom knows how to honor the past while raising the bar for the future.
If you’re still on the fence about diving into the remake, think of it like this: Even the original creator, the guy who slapped together the plot in two weeks, says Capcom knocked it out of the park. And if that’s not a glowing endorsement, I don’t know what is!
Amy Barenger helped bring Game Nerd from a weekly newsletter to a full-fledged news site by creating a new website and branding. She continues to assist in keeping the site responsive and well organized for the readers. As a contributor to Game Nerd, Amy mainly covers PC gaming and and mobile gaming stories.
