Video game developers revel in striking while the iron is hot, and perhaps no company is searing quite like Capcom. From reviving dormant franchises like Mega Man to expounding upon fan favorites, such as Devil May Cry and Monster Hunter, the Japanese-based studio is basking in recent success. But perhaps no Capcom franchise is riding quite as high as Resident Evil. After successful remakes of the second and third games, the Resident Evil franchise is ready for expansion. During the Tokyo Game Show, Capcom revealed a Resident Evil series on Netflix that features Leon and Claire. Let’s dive in.

A Fresh Approach

The Resident Evil series is no stranger to the big screen. Released in 2002, the original action-horror film grossed over $100 million worldwide and became a catalyst for future movie adaptations. Capcom agreed to five sequels; however, each new movie performed worse than the last on Rotten Tomatoes. Although the final movie grossed over $300 million at the box office, Resident Evil: The Final Chapter had an average review score of 4.5 out of 10. Critics attacked the CGI art style, the lackluster story, and pointless character arcs. Despite its financial success in theaters, Resident Evil movies needed a fresh approach.

After fans applauded the Resident Evil 2 remake with a 91 Metacritic score, Capcom decided to expand the story by partnering with Netflix. But instead of another movie release, the story of Resident Evil 2 will play out in episodic fashion. Although Netflix and Capcom have yet to reveal specific details, Resident Evil Infinite Darkness will focus on the stories of Leon and Claire. Dubbed an “original Netflix anime series,” the art style is entirely CGI, which is equally captivating and controversial.

Choosing the backdrop of Resident Evil 2 for an episodic television show is clever. The “Zapping System” of the base game allows Claire and Leon to witness the story through their own perspective. This method of storytelling best suits a multipart experience; however, an indefinite television show is unwarranted. By labeling the project as “episodic,” Capcom and Netflix have maximum flexibility to shape the length of the narrative. Although Infinite Darkness will likely be a mini-series, fans of Resident Evil should be excited for the future. Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness arrives to Netflix in 2021.

Conclusion

While fans are likely skeptical of another television adaptation of Resident Evil, the premise of Claire and Leon is promising. But we want to know what you think. Do you believe that Capcom is smart to release an episodic rendition of Resident Evil 2 on Netflix? What do you think about the CGI art style? Let us know in the comments below or the social media links on the right. Also, be sure to check out our other news items on Mario, Zelda, Modern Warfare, Blizzard and more.

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