Xbox Game Pass reignites the Resident Evil renaissance
We're back in bioweapons, baby. Not that Capcom's Resident Evil series went away, but 28 years after we first stepped inside the Spencer Mansion, the shuffling series is having a resurgence. 2024 might be looking a little bare for the Resiverse, but still, that hasn't stopped players old and new from taking a bite out of it...all thanks to Xbox.
While the OG Resident Evil is held as THE defining zombie game, it wasn't alone in this world for long. There's no escaping the legacy of the Resiverse, but as others like The Last of Us, Left 4 Dead, and Dead Space have joined them, the genre is constantly evolving. Still, do any come close to topping Resident Evil 2?
The 'best' Resident Evil game lands on Game Pass
The original Resident Evil 2 released in 1998 and showed us what the series could do. Letting us explore the much larger Raccoon City, Claire Redfield stepped up to the plate and was stalked around the RCPD by Mr. X. Even though Resident Evil 2 was already beloved, no one was prepared for the critical acclaim of 2019's remake.
The Resident Evil 2 remake is not only held as arguably the best Resident Evil game, but as one of the best horror games of all time. With it now live on Xbox Game Pass as part of its January offerings alongside Those Who Remain, the internet is going wild for the zombie shooter.
Resident Evil games have been on Game Pass before, but at the time of writing, the RE2 remake is the only one you can find on there. Considering many use their Xbox Series S as a Game Pass machine, the addition of RE2 is a major win.
Newcomers and veterans are flocking to it, with one fan cheering, "4hrs into RE2…it’s amazing!! Never really played the series before. The game looks amazing on the Series X 🧟♂️." Another added, "Daaaamn.... RE2? I've been rocking my ps5 for a hot minute. Time to get back on my SX....," and a third said, "Hope everyone has fun on RE2, one of the best remakes to exist imo."
The future of the Resiverse
Click to enlargeCapcom has found itself between a rock and a hard place, looking forward but also getting a crick in its neck for looking backwards. After the disappointments of 2012's Resident Evil 6, an extended hiatus took things back to basics for Resident Evil 7. Honouring the franchise's horror roots, it's still dubbed one of the scariest games ever made.
The release of Resident Evil Village in 2021 was another pillow-grabbing affair, and while there were plenty of wins (House Beneviento still terrifies us), some segments let it down. Ultimately, the whole thing was largely overshadowed by the towering Lady Dimitrescu.
Resident Evil 9 was originally tipped to be the third and final chapter in the "Winters Trilogy", but with the underwhelming Shadows of Rose DLC apparently closing that book, all bets are off on where we go with the next game. Facing another potential reset, we've got high hopes that RE9 will be the wildest outing yet.
Thankfully, the remake roster is offering up some tantalising teases until we get to Resident Evil 9. We know Capcom is keen on more remakes, and with the revamped ending of 2023's Resident Evil 4 remake neatly cueing a Resident Evil 5 remake, the controversial game is ready for a blood-soaked revamp.
