Capcom Discusses the Significance of Resident Evil Veronica and What to Anticipate from Its RE2-Style Remake

Capcom is bringing back Resident Evil: Code Veronica, a classic that originally launched on the ill-fated Dreamcast, as a remake. The first glimpse of this project, now titled simply Resident Evil Veronica, was unveiled during Summer Game Fest, with a release anticipated as early as 2027. Capcom is eager to emphasize that this isn’t just a minor spin-off but a significant entry in the Resident Evil franchise.

Producer Yoshiaki Hirabayashi shared this message during a private presentation and Q&A session. The event kicked off with a detailed timeline video that connected the dots between the first four Resident Evil games, highlighting how integral Code Veronica is to the overall narrative. Set three months after Resident Evil 2, the game follows Claire and Chris Redfield as they navigate a viral outbreak on Rockfort Island, coinciding with the collapse of Raccoon City depicted in Resident Evil 3.

Hirabayashi explained, “The reason we created the video was to communicate how we at Capcom and the development team view the original Code Veronica. It’s as important to the series as any numbered title.” He added, “Any game or part of the Resident Evil saga featuring major characters is a crucial point in the series. That’s how we approach its development.”

The remake is being crafted by the same team responsible for the remakes of Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 4. While Capcom is keeping details under wraps, Hirabayashi offered some hints about the direction the developers are taking and what fans can look forward to.

One key point he made clear is that Veronica will not feature a first-person mode like some of the more recent entries in the series. “Only third-person,” he stated. “There is no toggle, no switching.”

As for what changes will be made to the original 2000 game, Hirabayashi mentioned that remakes necessitate the addition of new elements to refresh the survival horror experience, including both gameplay mechanics and story enhancements. He indicated that Veronica will delve deeper into the lore and mechanics of the original.

When asked if Claire would receive a new parry mechanic similar to Leon Kennedy’s in Resident Evil Requiem, Hirabayashi noted that since Veronica takes place just months after RE2, Claire hasn’t had the opportunity to significantly expand her combat skills. “She survived some very extreme circumstances,” he said, “but in three months, she hasn’t become a government agent or anything like that. The game will reflect where she is in her life at that point.”

Another significant improvement for Veronica, which originally released during a less refined era of Resident Evil, will be the overall quality of life and playability. Hirabayashi hinted at a focus on usability and the overall game feel. “We’ve gained a lot of knowledge from creating games, including Requiem, and we’re applying that to Veronica as well,” he explained.

The takeaway from the presentation is that fans can expect a remake of the same caliber as Resident Evil 4, tailored to the characters and events of Code Veronica. The mechanics and feel will align more closely with the Resident Evil 2 remake, which Code Veronica was originally associated with. “It’ll feel like certain elements of the Resident Evil 2 game feel matched up with Code Veronica,” Hirabayashi noted.

Resident Evil Veronica will also be available on Switch 2 upon its release next year. The original game is currently accessible as a PS2 classic on PlayStation 5 and through backward compatibility on Xbox Series X/S. When asked about the possibility of the GameCube version of Veronica coming to Switch Online’s Expansion Pack, Hirabayashi stated there are “no plans for that,” but he did express a desire to see an amiibo of Claire Redfield released alongside the game on Switch 2.