Resident Evil Requiem Director Asks For Less Scary Version

Resident Evil director Hideki Kamiya wants a less scary version of the new game, Resident Evil Requiem. This is surprising because he made scary games before.
By Newsroom | Gaming, Entertainment |

Kamiya's Plea for "Not Scary" Mode Highlights Shifting Perspectives on Horror

"I don’t need the scary stuff." - Hideki Kamiya

Hideki Kamiya, the director behind the seminal 'Resident Evil 2', has voiced a peculiar demand: a "not scary" version of the recently released 'Resident Evil Requiem'. Despite his own extensive history in the survival-horror genre, Kamiya, now in his fifties, professes a distaste for frightening games. This stance, originating from a creator deeply embedded in the mechanics of suspense and terror, presents a curious paradox regarding the enduring appeal and intent of horror in interactive media. He expressed a desire to engage with 'Requiem's' puzzles and combat without the unsettling elements, suggesting a desire to appreciate the game's structure divorced from its intended emotional impact.

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This peculiar request comes as 'Resident Evil Requiem' itself has been positioned by developers as an evolution, even an "upgrade," of the survival-horror formula established in titles like 'Resident Evil 2'. Developers at Capcom have, perhaps ironically, admitted to a degree of detachment from what constitutes "scary" in their own creations, given the sheer volume of such titles they have produced. This internal ambivalence from the creators, coupled with an external plea from a former key figure for a sanitised experience, casts a shadow of doubt on the very definition and effectiveness of 'Requiem's' horror elements.

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Kamiya, who also has a legacy with games like 'Devil May Cry' and 'Okami', has apparently been playing 'Resident Evil Requiem' with his colleagues at Clovers Studio. His sentiments, shared via social media, have sparked conversation, with some interpretations suggesting his comments might be in jest, while others take them at face value, questioning the viability of a horror game stripped of its frights.

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Background of a Genre Weaver

Kamiya's connection to the 'Resident Evil' franchise runs deep; he was instrumental in directing the highly influential 'Resident Evil 2' after an early role on the original. His current studio, Clovers, is seen as a spiritual successor to Clover Studio, itself a Capcom subsidiary. The latest installment, 'Resident Evil Requiem', released to critical acclaim in late February, is noted for blending the visceral first-person terror of 'Resident Evil 7' with the more bombastic action seen in 'Resident Evil 4'. The game is slated for future content, including a photo mode and story DLC, though a "gore-free" or "not scary" option seems a distant prospect, if ever to materialize.

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The very fabric of "Resident Evil" is intrinsically tied to its capacity to disturb and unsettve, making Kamiya's request for a fundamentally altered experience a significant point of reflection on the series' evolution and the audience's expectations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Resident Evil director Hideki Kamiya ask for a 'not scary' version of Resident Evil Requiem?
Hideki Kamiya, who is now in his fifties, said he does not like scary games anymore. He wants to play Resident Evil Requiem for its puzzles and fighting, not the scary parts.
Q: What is Resident Evil Requiem?
Resident Evil Requiem is a new game that mixes the scary first-person action of Resident Evil 7 with the action of Resident Evil 4. It was released in late February.
Q: Is a 'not scary' mode for Resident Evil Requiem likely to happen?
It is not likely. The game developers have not said they will add a less scary option. The game is known for its horror elements.
Q: What is Hideki Kamiya's history with Resident Evil?
Hideki Kamiya was important in making Resident Evil 2 and also worked on the first Resident Evil game. He now leads his own studio called Clovers.
Q: Why is Kamiya's request causing debate?
People are debating because Kamiya is a famous director known for making scary games. His request makes people question what makes a horror game scary and if it can be enjoyed without the fear.