Summary
The RE engine is the foundation Capcom has been using to create a lot of their most recent games, or more specifically, many of their triple AAA titles released inResident Evil 7. Speaking of that game, the seventh mainline entry of the iconicsurvival horrorfranchise is the whole reason the RE engine was developed in the first place, allowing the game to feel drastically different from what came before through its upgraded visuals and smoother gameplay.
Considering how wellResident Evil 7performed commercially and critically, it only makes sense that Capcom would keep this engine in place as the building block for many of their future games, and that includes non-Resident Eviltitles too. Simply put, the RE engine has injected a new sense of style and realism into Capcom’s recent games, so it’s time to see how each of these titles stack up in overall quality and presentation.
While the RE engine may have looked nice and flashy on modern consoles, the real test would be how well it would manage to run on the Nintendo Switch. Capcom’s first attempt at this resulted inMonster Hunter: Rise, anaction RPGwhich, while smaller in scope than the likes ofWorldandWilds, still provides an addictive adventure that is a ton of fun to jump into, especially for short action-packed sessions.
The game is capped at 30FPS, but the graphics are some of the best on the entire system, with each and every grizzly monster looking immensely detailed and unique. Capcom may not have gotten wildly ambitious withMonster Hunter: Rise, but that wasn’t really the intent, as the game succeeds in being a short and sweet hunter game for fans of the series, and newcomers, to enjoy.
Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddessis an interesting action-strategy hybrid that, unfortunately, ended up going under the radar for many people. However, it’s well worth checking out, not just for the utterly unique gameplay which feels like a mix between the tower-defense and hack-and-slash genres, but also its visuals, which are truly a feast for the eyes.
The day and night cycle, which is at the center of the gameplay, allows the environments to feel vastly different thanks to theenhanced lighting, and of course, the combat also looks incredible due to the slick animations and enemy variety. Though the gameplay ofKunitsu-Gamiis somewhat of a refined taste, those looking for something in the strategy genre that is a little different from the norm will find plenty to enjoy here.
Thanks to the RE engine, Capcom was able to giveRaccoon Citya complete makeover for the remake of the secondResident Evilgame, making it a truly horrific environment filled with creepy enemies and tons of gory imagery. All of this feeds into the incredibly intense core gameplay, which is only amplified by the unnerving audio cues that ring throughout the RPD and the limited resources.
While there have been plenty of fan recreations of the RPD, Capcom truly perfected it thanks to their latest technology giving the iconic building a much-needed boost in realism. While the game does start to feel a bit repetitive after leaving the police department, there’s no denying that it still reaches some very high highs, and is a good showcase of the RE engine’s potential.
While the core2D gameplayofStreet Fighterhas remained intact since the very beginning, albeit with a plethora of new moves and characters added over time, one thing that changes constantly is the presentation. WhileStreet Fighter 5went for a rather unique and divisive art style, with the sixth game, Capcom decided to use their new engine to get as flashy as possible, resulting in a game that is breathtaking to watch in motion.
Another way the RE engine enhancesStreet Fighter 6is the animations. The fluid body motions of each character look so realistic that the fighters never feel stiff or game-like, and when paired with the accessibility options, such as Modern controls, and a lengthy DLC roadmap,Street Fighter 6’sfuture looks very bright.
The firstDragon’s Dogmaprovided an incredibly creative and unique open-world experience when it dropped in 2012, but there’s no doubt that it still felt a little rough around the edges to actually play. WithDragon’s Dogma 2, Capcom decided to keep the high-fantasy setting and aesthetic the same as what came before, but thanks to the new engine, everything, from the world to the combat, was all made to feel much bigger and more interactive.
The Pawns, referring to the AI companies players can recruit throughout their adventure, are much smarter this time around, allowing for a more easygoing and enjoyable gameplay experience. Of course, the kingdoms of Vermund and Battahl also look amazing from a visual standpoint thanks to the new lighting and graphics overhaul, and while it’s a little light on story, this is a small stain on an otherwise incredible game.
Devil May Cry 5would be the first time Capcom had used the RE engine outside of theResident Evilseries. Still, by that point, the engine had been the basis for two games that would be considered classics among many fans, so while excitement was high as can be forDMC 5, the game somehow managed to be even better than many expected.
The speed of the gameplay allows the game to move at a breakneck pace, allowing fights to feel chaotic but still fun, especially with how breathtaking everything looks in action. This game would also prove just how far Capcom can push the engine’s photogrammetry, with classic characters likeNero and Dantelooking better than ever, along with all the dreaded Demons having their own nightmarish designs.
At a time when theResident Evilseries was at an all-time low, Capcom decided it was time to take some risks. WithResident Evil 7, not only did they implement anFPS view, which was a first for a mainline game, but they also introduced the RE engine to the world, allowing the game to look far more gritty and realistic than anything the series had seen before, or even come close to.
Because the game is also able to make the environments feel much more believable thanks to the volumetric lighting, it allows players to be as immersed in the Baker Estate as possible. Though the game’s story is entirely disconnected from the rest of the series,Resident Evil 7arguably executes the traditional survival horror gameplay loop better than any game in the franchise; an absolute spine-chilling thrillride from beginning to end.
TheResident Evil 2 Remakemay have been a success for Capcom, but some were still skeptical whether the developers could truly improveResident Evil 4since it’s considered by many to be pretty close to perfect already. With a brand new engine in place though, Capcom managed to cook up an incrediblere-telling of the survival horror classicby amplifying the graphics, but most importantly, enhancing the gameplay.
Resident Evil 4is known for leaning into the action a lot more than the classic games, and with the animations being sped up and more responsive for this latest adventure, it makes every punch, kick, and suplex feel even more satisfying than they did before. However, the new lighting system and eerie audio still ensure that the game feels as creepy as possible when it wants to, resulting in what many have argued to be the best game in the whole franchise, which is certainly saying something.
