Resident Evil Code: Veronica Remake Wish List

Good news for fans! A remake of Resident Evil Code: Veronica is rumored to be announced this year. The game is considered a classic example of ambitious early 2000s survival horror, making it a strong candidate for a modern update. If a remake does happen, it’s worth considering what changes would best serve the game today.

Capcom’s recent remakes have been a learning process, with each one showing more clearly what the company is willing to update and what it wants to keep the same. So, when thinking about a potential remake of Code: Veronica, it’s important to first look at how Resident Evil remakes have evolved. This game, perhaps more than any other in the series, needs a solid understanding of what ‘modernization’ has meant for the franchise so far.

Code: Veronica Remake Has to Remember These Lessons From Capcom’s Prior Remakes

The 2019 remake of Resident Evil 2 showed that Capcom was willing to take risks and successfully modernize a classic. While some parts of the game felt a little long and some longtime fans missed certain details, it worked because it kept the core experience intact. The 2020 remake of Resident Evil 3 pushed this approach too far, and unfortunately, didn’t quite succeed.

The remake of Resident Evil 3 focused more on fast-paced action, but it significantly cut content, going beyond simply reimagining the story. Fortunately, Capcom’s Resident Evil 4 remake successfully rebuilt trust in these remakes. It clearly showed a careful and detailed re-evaluation of the original game. While it toned down some of the campiness, it still retained humor, and it remained dark without being overly gloomy. Characters like Ashley, Krauser, and Luis were all noticeably improved with these updates.

What the Remakes Imply for Code: Veronica

These previous remakes make it clear that Capcom will:

Modernize characterization
Cut or rework levels
Cut or replace dated mechanics
Re-emphasize horror

However, remaking Code: Veronica will likely require a more careful approach. The Resident Evil 3 remake actually provides a good model. While Code: Veronica shouldn’t be drastically altered like that remake, it could benefit from the same clear, focused artistic direction and consistent tone.

Mechanically, Code: Veronica Is a Gifted Student Turned Problem Child

Playing Code: Veronica now, after so many years, highlights some frustrating issues. The game is mechanically difficult, but often in ways that don’t feel intentional – like running out of resources because of minor oversights, or the demanding Tyrant boss fight. While there are moments where the limited resources and slow pace create genuine tension, something is clearly off. This is likely why recent Resident Evil games have moved away from Code: Veronica‘s approach to boss fights and overall difficulty.

The game Code: Veronica frequently revisits areas, which makes it easy to get stuck, particularly because its environments aren’t as cleverly designed and interconnected as those in the Resident Evil 2 remake’s Raccoon Police Department.

I really love the idea of sharing a stash and switching between characters – it’s so unique and ambitious! But honestly, it gets really annoying having to constantly pass items back and forth. And the way your inventory just resets when you switch feels really clunky. It totally breaks up the flow of the game, and it feels like two separate experiences instead of one cohesive whole. It’s a shame, because the concept is brilliant, but it’s overshadowed by this frustrating mechanic. They really need to smooth out that transition between characters, because right now it just feels like a harsh penalty for using the system.

Code: Veronica Has a Giant, Man-shaped Narrative Problem

Melodrama has always been part of the Resident Evil series, but Code: Veronica takes it to an extreme, awkwardly mixing gothic horror with over-the-top, unbelievable plotlines. The game’s gothic horror elements already provide a dramatic backdrop, and its themes of a declining, isolated family would be much stronger if they weren’t overshadowed by unnecessary melodrama. A remake should focus on the inherent drama of the gothic horror genre, rather than adding extra, and ultimately distracting, emotional complications.

Resident Evil Code: Veronica’s story and overall feel will continue to be flawed as long as the character Steve Burnside remains part of it.

Steve Burnside Is Code: Veronica’s Scariest Monster

Steve Burnside is a particularly unpleasant character in the Resident Evil series, which is saying something for a franchise known for its villains and troubled individuals. He’s consistently hostile and annoying, constantly switching between being antagonistic towards Claire and declaring his love for her. Any potential sympathy he might earn is ruined by how bluntly his backstory is explained, and by his generally unhelpful and poor behavior. Even more problematic, his intense and unsettling obsession with Claire feels particularly awkward and dated now. While Capcom could update his problematic dialogue, similar to what they did with Ashley in RE4, it might be better to simply remove the character altogether, as decisively as they handled the RE3 remake.

The Code: Veronica Remake Has to Nail Tones and Characters

Now that recent remakes and the issues with the original Code: Veronica are behind us, we can start thinking about what a perfect remake would be like. Ideally, it would update the story with a more serious tone, reducing unintentional silliness, but not eliminate camp altogether. The game’s biggest, most shocking moments should be saved for characters like the Ashford twins, who truly represent the worst excesses of the Umbrella Corporation.

The game will also feature a fresh take on the relationship between Steve Burnside and Claire Redfield. Steve will be a very different character, while Claire will resemble her portrayal in the Resident Evil 2 remake. This is crucial, and it would also be beneficial to revisit Wesker’s character. While Code: Veronica establishes him as a full-fledged villain, toning down his over-the-top behavior could make him genuinely frightening and help the series return to its horror origins, which Capcom seems keen on exploring.

More Than Wishful Thinking

Image via Capcom

Honestly, I’m feeling pretty optimistic about all this. Resident Evil 4 showed us they can balance over-the-top action with genuinely scary moments, and I think they can pull it off again. Even characters that seem tricky – like Steve – can be done right. We’ve seen it before with recent Resident Evil games! New Luis was awesome before things got sad, Carlos felt reliable because he was good at his job, and even Ashley actually became a useful teammate. The only thing I’m not sure about is Wesker – he might be a bit too much to ask for, but everything else feels totally achievable.

The Code: Veronica Remake Has to Get Difficulty Right

One key area for improvement is making the game’s difficulty more fair. This includes things like clearer signals before boss attacks and a less frustrating inventory system. The character switching mechanic also needs refinement. While Code: Veronica should still require planning and strategy, the game shouldn’t overly punish players for not knowing exactly what’s coming. These changes are likely, though the specifics are still uncertain.

The Respect Code: Veronica Deserves

While a remake of Resident Evil Code: Veronica could be amazing, it doesn’t need to be completely polished and streamlined. A lot of the game’s original quirks are actually what made it special, and updating the graphics shouldn’t mean losing those unique elements – except perhaps for the character Steve. Code: Veronica always felt a bit separate from the main Resident Evil series, and a successful remake could finally solidify its place as a core part of the franchise.

2026-02-06 23:07