Resident Evil 4 that never was. Five lives of Capcom’s bestseller

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Resident Evil 4 significantly shaped the course of the Resident Evil series and survival horror genre. In essence, the journey of Leon S. Kennedy paved the way for future titles to follow suit. It’s plausible that the fifth and sixth installments in the series might have been different if not for Resident Evil 4, and we may never have enjoyed games like those in the Dead Space franchise without it.

Despite not having an immediate vision for the game’s appearance, the developers took time over the years to refine it through five different versions. While we are familiar with the latest edition, delving into the history of the earlier versions can provide insight into what potential changes or features might have been incorporated in the final product.

Resident Evil 4, which turned into Devil May Cry

The initial work on what we now know as Resident Evil 4 began in 1998. Originally, it was conceived as a different game, referred to as Resident Evil 3, but later, it was decided to call the project by its original name, Resident Evil 1.9. However, the project underwent significant changes and eventually became Resident Evil 4, a game specifically designed for the PlayStation 2 console. This is just the start of the many intricate developments that this project would go through.

As a gamer, I’d say: In my gaming world, the initial iteration of Resident Evil 4 was shaped by Hideki Kamiya’s creative vision, aiming for a game that oozed coolness and style, with an emphasis on pulse-pounding action. Originally, the main characters were designed to be brothers, Tony and Paul Redgrave, scions of Oswell E. Spencer, who were meant to acquire extraordinary powers from the progenitor virus.

The previously mentioned “cool” and “stylish” aspects of Resident Evil 4 encompassed various elements, such as the camera following the main character and an impressive gunfight sequence. Moreover, the developers aimed to imbue the game with a distinct Gothic flavor by exploring and recording artistic and architectural works in Spain and the UK that embodied this style.

During the process of crafting this game, developers encountered an issue – a glitch that enabled players to lift their opponents off the ground with gunfire from pistols and keep them suspended in mid-air. Instead of addressing this bug, they decided to incorporate it into the fighting dynamics, finding that it enhanced the excitement and fluidity of battles.

Initially, Shinji Mikami, the creator of the Resident Evil series, found the concept for the fourth installment appealing. However, he felt it strayed too far from the original themes of the series. Eventually, he successfully persuaded the team to develop their new project as a standalone venture instead. This meant reworking the plot and characters, but in the end, it proved to be a wise decision. As a result, Dante and the Devil May Cry franchise came into being.

Resident Evil 4 – Castle, the second incarnation of the fourth RE

Following the rebranding of the initial “Resident Evil 4” as “Devil May Cry”, the development process was essentially restarted anew. The main character in this game was Leon S. Kennedy, who, post the series’ second chapter, became a member of the Anti-Umbrella Pursuit and Investigation Team, preparing for a raid on Oswald E. Spencer’s castle, the Umbrella Corporation’s headquarters.

During the assault, Leon was expected to contract a retrovirus, and the struggle against the virus-induced mutation (which originated in his arm) was intended to be a significant plot point. However, he wouldn’t have to embark on this journey alone, as he would encounter a young woman who is protected by her mutated pet along the way.

This version of the game aimed to switch from 2D backdrops to 3D settings, much like Resident Evil Code: Veronica X. Intriguingly, it was initially developed for the GameCube console but was later contemplated for other systems. Regrettably, these plans didn’t materialize, and the primary cause of the project’s abandonment was a proposed adversary called Black Fog. This entity was envisioned as a swarm of black tentacles, whose animation exceeded the capabilities of the contemporary platforms at the time.

Previously discussed character, who was meant to be Leon S. Kennedy’s partner, got her own video game titled Haunting Ground, which debuted on the PlayStation 2 in 2005.

Resident Evil 4 – Hallucination

In my excitement as a fan, I’d rephrase it like this: “It turns out, the creators at Capcom found themselves back at square one with their project for the third time. This time around, they envisioned Leon S. Kennedy succumbing to a strange illness that made him see monstrous entities, which apparently were just figments of his imagination. Some of these hallucinations included spooky ghosts and living dolls.

In my gaming experience, not only did I control the original character as intended, but this particular version of the game also retained two unique aspects throughout its turbulent storyline, linking back to the fourth installment of Resident Evil. Firstly, I found myself using a laser sight on Leon’s gun, adding an extra tactical edge to my survival. Secondly, I had a trusty flashlight in hand, illuminating my path through the game’s darkest corners and helping me navigate the fear-filled environments.

Eventually, it turned out that, once again, technical constraints prevented the developers from moving forward. The idea behind Leon’s hallucinations necessitated having two versions of the locations he visited available simultaneously in the console’s memory. While this goal was accomplished, it left insufficient resources to combat more than one adversary effectively.

A concern arose due to a considerable departure from the core theme of the Resident Evil series, which primarily revolved around physical perils for the main characters. Ultimately, it was determined that adjustments were needed to align with this concept.

Resident Evil 4 – zombie

There isn’t much information available on the fourth iteration of ‘Resident Evil 4’. The team working on it aimed to develop a traditional Resident Evil game starring Leon S. Kennedy. The main character was intended to encounter a new species of enemy, known as dabamen. However, that is all we know about this project in terms of specific details.

In a different phrasing, Shinji Mikami, the creator of Resident Evil 3: Nemesis, didn’t find the sequel appealing. Consequently, he chose to involve himself more deeply in the project, ultimately leading it as its director. This direction led to the game reaching its fifth and final iteration.

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2025-03-30 22:02