Resident Evil’s unofficial lore grasp has weighed in together with his ideas on Resident Evil Veronica, and the 5 largest questions that Capcom’s upcoming remake will want to reply.
Set to launch in 2027 as a ground-up reimagining of the unique Resident Evil: Code Veronica, our spectacular first peek on the recreation felt like a press release of intent from Capcom — which now appears to be elevating this former side-story to full foremost collection standing.
In fact, Code Veronica featured a number of the collection’ largest stars (Claire Redfield! Chris Redfield! Albert Wesker!) in a canon story set following the occasions of Resident Evil 3. However the entry has all the time felt a bit of indifferent from the remainder of the franchise’s core, numbered entries. Not, maybe.
Nonetheless, with this stronger hyperlink to the remainder of the collection — and a launch lengthy after subsequent video games have already stuffed in some plot holes — there’s potential for Capcom to go additional, and use Resident Evil Veronica to actually tie the unique recreation into the franchise’s wider narrative. However how might Capcom do that? How a lot will doubtless change? And what ought to keep the identical?
For solutions, I turned to Resident Evil Podcast host TheBatman, the architect of an exhaustive timeline document that charts all Resident Evil lore (starting round 4.5 billion years in the past) — a superfan who appears to know extra concerning the collection and its characters than anybody else on the planet.
Honest warning, this text discusses plot factors from the unique Resident Evil: Code Veronica. Whereas these could change within the remake, anybody who needs to go in utterly unspoiled ought to look away now.
1. Who’re the mysterious rival firm/H.C.F. that employs Albert Wesker?
“This organisation was launched within the authentic Code: Veronica and was lively behind the scenes in a number of different video games together with RE4 earlier than mysteriously vanishing,” TheBatman begins. “Since then we’ve had one stunning reference in RE7 and some teases in Requiem, however Capcom have all the time kept away from going into any main element about them. Idea artwork refers to H.C.F. as Hive/Host Seize Power in reference to Wesker’s mission to seize Alexia Ashford and the t-veronica virus, so there’s some suggestion they’re a particular forces staff belonging to a bigger organisation. RE: Veronica is the best alternative to actually make clear who they’re and solidify any hyperlinks to The Connections from the newer video games as we all know they labored collectively on the Mutamycete venture.”
A global crime syndicate to which Requiem’s villain Zeno belongs, The Connections had been launched in Resident Evil 7, although retroactively revealed to have had an affect on the downfall of Umbrella, plus hyperlinks to Tricell and the U.S. authorities. They’re presently considered as being the collection’ overarching enemies, post-Umbrella.
“It would not shock me if Capcom retcon the rival firm as being The Connections all alongside,” TheBatman continues. “On the floor it appears logical however diving into the deeper lore that concept additionally creates a number of issues. I simply hope this remake offers a clearer image and background about who they’re, why Umbrella perceived them as a such a risk and why Wesker noticed the profit in defecting over to them.”
2. How will Alfred Ashford be dealt with on this reimagining?
“I do not need them to tone down Alfred,” TheBatman says. “I perceive sure traces within the authentic localised script are unlikely to be used at the moment, however his need to impersonate Alexia is a key a part of his character. He actually believes she remains to be by his facet and dressing as her and mimicking her voice is a coping mechanism for his loneliness and psychosis. It was a big plot twist within the authentic recreation so for a remake the place many gamers will already pay attention to this revelation, will probably be attention-grabbing to see how Capcom performs it. A few of these parts could also be scaled again however I personally hope they go all in because it might end in some actually creepy and memorable scenes.”
In an interview with IGN earlier this month, Capcom informed us that it might be adjusting Alfred by “attempting to dive a bit of deeper” and analyze the character “on a barely deeper stage” throughout the remake, although stopped wanting giving additional particulars.
“I additionally hope the remake expands on the historical past of the Ashford household. They initially had ties to the Nazis, however these references had been nearly utterly faraway from the unique recreation, so will probably be attention-grabbing to see if they’re reintroduced right here. I’d additionally love to see – on display screen – Alexander Ashford’s expression as he’s subdued and appeared down upon by his personal youngsters as they inject him with the t-veronica virus. That’s some terrifying imagery.”
3. The place are all our heroes?
“Code: Veronica takes place three months after Raccoon Metropolis however has little or no build-up – it form of simply occurs,” TheBatman explains. “RE3 supplied epilogues for all the important thing characters, however finally they didn’t actually go anyplace. I hope RE: Veronica actually expands on the again story on this three-month hole main up to occasions on Rockfort Island. What has Chris been doing all this time in Europe? How lengthy has Umbrella been watching him? Why didn’t Jill Valentine hyperlink up with him instantly after Raccoon Metropolis? There are such a lot of unanswered questions and now could be the precise time to handle them. Chris’s house within the teaser is ripe for exploration to get a few of these solutions, though witnessing a bit of previous girl stealing his biscuits was not on my bingo card…”
4. How will Steve Burnside be portrayed?
“Steve could be very polarising so I absolutely count on he would be the character that has probably the most modifications and his efficiency be considerably toned down,” TheBatman says of Code Veronica’s widely-disliked 17-year-old.
“He’s a sufferer of circumstance and at 17 years-old I nonetheless need him to retain a few of that immature bravado and naivety round Claire, however a few of his scenes from the unique will likely be modified considerably, most notably the place he makes a transfer on Claire while she is asleep. That may not go down nicely at the moment. He’s one other tragic character, and I hope they study in additional about his relationship together with his father and the occasions that noticed him introduced to Rockfort Island. I’m very eager to see how his relationship with Claire performs out right here.”
5. How will Capcom restructure the story?
“I believe it’s protected to say the primary story beats will stay unchanged however the finer plot factors will likely be considerably modified,” TheBatman says. “We’ve already seen within the teaser that Claire already is aware of Chris’ location in Europe earlier than she even will get to the island, which is a giant change from the unique. Capcom has mentioned it needs to make the collection really feel extra linked and cohesive. Audiences are already very aware of Hunk thanks to Requiem, so it’s logical to have him seize Claire and take her to Rockfort quite than Rodrigo, who may be launched later. Within the authentic, Hunk educated on Rockfort Island and was there simply prior to the occasions of the sport having transported a Tyrant. As he has a cause to be included and is recent within the reminiscence, why not make him entrance and middle this day out?
“Likewise, Wesker’s story arc finally leads to Uroboros, so I count on his position to be expanded and his motivations for buying t-veronica to line up extra clearly together with his need to cull humanity and depart solely the superior behind. Code: Veronica was the primary recreation to dive into the historical past of Umbrella so that may be expanded. One thing like including references to James Marcus within the recordsdata is such a straightforward factor to do that will instantly strengthen ties to RE Zero.”
Keep in mind, in fact, that Resident Evil Zero can also be due to get Capcom’s remake remedy. Whereas unannounced, leaks verified by IGN counsel a brand new model of the prequel will land in 2028, a 12 months after Veronica.
“There may be additionally the chance to clarify a number of the plight Umbrella are in following Raccoon Metropolis,” TheBatman concludes. “Within the authentic we had no context for 5 years till RE4 was launched however now we all know concerning the enterprise suspension orders, the Raccoon Trials and their face-off with the federal government. Including important backstory within the three-month hole between Raccoon’s destruction and the occasions of this recreation is the proper alternative to actually join the broader collection.
“We all know Claire finally joins TerraSave so can her position be adjusted barely to accommodate this? Maybe the organisation was established, and he or she joined prior to the occasions of RE: Veronica? These sorts of modifications can simply be implanted with out breaking canon.I additionally suspect Capcom will discover a method to get The Connections into this story. As I discussed above it may very well be a case of retconning them to be the rival firm, through which case that will by default put them in Resident Evil 4 and strengthen ties to the later video games. Not like Raccoon Metropolis, the occasions of Code: Veronica are fairly standalone so there’s lots of flexibility to restructure and remix the storyline while nonetheless preserving the core occasions that ensures continuity with the later sequels.”
Wrapping up, TheBatman says he hopes Veronica is used to reveal extra about Edward Ashford, the third founding member of Umbrella whose backstory stays comparatively unexplored. However for him — and lots of extra followers, probably — Veronica will present an much more attractive oppurtunity to function extra particulars on Albert Wesker.
The authentic Resident Evil baddie’s return in Code: Veronica was left considerably unexplained, with extra element added later, in Wesker’s Report and Umbrella Chronicles. Might Veronica add extra data, and probably tie the sport right into a future Resident Evil 5 remake as nicely? As TheBatman himself says, “the chance is definitely there.”
Tom Phillips is IGN’s Information Editor. You’ll be able to attain Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or discover him on Bluesky (*5*)