Capcom's upcoming remake of Resident Evil Code: Veronica is generating considerable interest, primarily because the 2000 original is considered a flawed but important installment in the survival horror series. While Resident Evil 2, 3, and 4 have aged gracefully, Code: Veronica is often criticized for its tedious backtracking, bullet-sponge bosses, and a cumbersome shared inventory system that could lead to the loss of crucial items.
The original game, released for sixth-generation consoles, presented a narrative that, while significant to the series' lore, is noted for its peculiarities. It begins with Claire Redfield imprisoned on an island fortress following a mission in Paris. The island is controlled by Alfred Ashford, a character with dissociative identity disorder who impersonates his cryogenically frozen sister, Alexia, the subject of the T-Veronica virus experiments. The narrative includes problematic depictions of the Ashford siblings that are expected to be re-examined in the remake.
Claire is joined by Steve Burnside, a companion who is frequently cited as one of the series' most irksome sidekicks. His character, known for his constant complaining and dialogue reminiscent of early anime dubs, is a point of contention that fans hope the remake will address, drawing parallels to the successful rehabilitation of Carlos Oliveira in the Resident Evil 3 remake.
The game's climax sees Claire and Steve escape the island only to encounter Albert Wesker at an Antarctic military facility. This portion of the game is noted for its Matrix-inspired elements, including Wesker's formidable powers. Code: Veronica also marks the only mainline Resident Evil title where siblings Chris and Claire Redfield share significant screen time, with Chris arriving to search for his sister.
Code: Veronica played a crucial role in developing plot threads from Resident Evil 2 and 3, which hinted at Umbrella's European headquarters as a final target for Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine. While the intended game where protagonists would dismantle Umbrella's European operations never materialized, Code: Veronica served as the closest approximation, despite its unconventional ending.
The remake is expected to leverage Capcom's RE Engine and potentially reintroduce elements hinted at in earlier games. Speculation exists about the inclusion of characters like Hunk, though the exact narrative direction and character portrayals remain subjects of fan discussion. The development is also likely to benefit from asset reuse, with elements from Resident Evil: Revelations likely informing the creation of enemies and environments for the Code: Veronica remake.