With franchises like Monster Hunter, Mega Man, Resident Evil, and Devil May Cry at its disposal, Capcom has undoubtedly left its mark on the gaming industry. A lot of people grew up playing at least one of the company’s various licenses, so there is a lot of love for Capcom. However, the Japanese developer does not have the best track record when it comes to treating its esteemed properties with the care they deserve, especially during the late 2000s and the early 2010s.
In particular, Resident Evil and Devil May Cry fans have gone through a rollercoaster of emotions during the last decade. Luckily, memes are the perfect way for fans to share their opinions, be it positive or negative, about Capcom’s actions.
What’s The Catch?
Microtransactions and DLC have become a normal part of the gaming industry. While it is perfectly reasonable to be expected to pay extra for an expansion pack that offers hours upon hours of content, it can be frustrating to learn that something as basic as a costume is behind a paywall.
Capcom has generally handled this practice better than most, offering a decent amount of free DLC. Resident Evil 7‘s Not A Hero was made available at no additional cost, while the Resident Evil 2 remake got Ghost Survivors for free.
Five Years
In 2013, DmC: Devil May Cry was released to a respectable critical reception. However, fans were considerably more split on the reboot, which was handled by Ninja Theory rather than Capcom. Considering it had already been five years since Devil May Cry 4 was released and there was no word on a fifth entry, DmC: Devil May Cry poking fun at Dante’s white hair crossed the line.
The reboot was not as commercially successful as anticipated, prompting Capcom to revive the old Dante for another adventure.
The True Return
Resident Evil 7: Biohazard was simultaneously a return to the franchise’s roots and a complete departure. Although Capcom reverted back to the survival horror genre that put the series on the map, the first-person perspective made it clear that Resident Evil 7 was still something new for the license.
Even though the seventh entry was well-received, it was not what everyone necessarily wanted from Resident Evil. 2019’s Resident Evil 2 remake would rise up to answer that call with style and confidence.
Everyone Remembers Their First Time
Putting aside the reboot, it had been more than a decade since a standard Devil May Cry game had been released. For a while, Capcom seemed more than happy to let some of its most popular licenses rot away; thankfully, Devil May Cry 5 eventually arrived on the scene.
Despite the debut trailer initially garnering a somewhat mixed reception, Devil May Cry 5 was still one of the most hyped games of 2019. Fans waited so long to play as Dante (and Nero, presumably) that the anticipation was unbearable at times.
Capcom’s Evolution (Illustrated Through Chris Redfield)
Chris Redfield has gone through quite a growth spurt since originally debuting in 1996, and that looks set to continue with the upcoming Resident Evil 8: Village. In some ways, the character’s changes represent Capcom’s desire to shift the license away from horror towards action.
By the time Resident Evil 5 rolled around, Chris had to look like an action star. After all, beefy muscular heroes rocking stubble beards who can dropkick zombies are better suited for blockbusters than average guys.
Capcom Goes West
Capcom is not afraid to take risks with its properties, although they seldom seem to reward fans. Was there any reason to reboot Devil May Cry in the early 2010s? While rushed, Devil May Cry 4 was still a solid game and an even better sequel could have put the franchise back on top of the world.
This era was defined by Capcom making frustrating decisions that saw a number of its biggest licenses stagnate.
A Remake But Less
Following the success of the Resident Evil 2 remake, it only seemed natural that Capcom would turn its attention to its sequel. Released a year later, the Resident Evil 3 remake did not quite manage to recapture the magic of its predecessor. At times, it felt lacking even in comparison to the 1999 original.
As illustrated by this meme, the remake ignored quite a bit of content. Considering one of the biggest criticisms of the game was its short length, Capcom probably should have thought twice before cutting out content from the original game.
Cooler Than Nero
Devil May Cry 4 did the unthinkable and replaced Dante as the protagonist. Although the veteran Devil Hunter still makes an appearance as a playable character, the focus is squarely on Nero, a younger fighter with a cool arm and a divisive personality. Nero and Dante both returned in Devil May Cry 5, with the former once again taking center stage for the majority of the game.
This meme makes it crystal clear who the iconic Devil Hunter truly is. Nero is more likable in 2019’s entry than in his debut, but Dante is Devil May Cry.
There Has To Be One
Released during a period when Capcom could not seem to get anything right, Umbrella Corps marked one of the lowest points in the history of Resident Evil. A budget spin-off title that barely had any similarities to the core games, at the time, Umbrella Corps felt like it could spell the end of Resident Evil.
Looking back, it is amazing to see just how far Capcom has come since 2016. Resident Evil is once again a hot commodity, something that seemed almost impossible after the release of Umbrella Corps.
The Dark Days Are Over
It is a great time to be a Capcom fan. Resident Evil 7, 2019’s Resident Evil 2, Devil May Cry 5, Mega Man 11, and Monster Hunter: World all proved to be huge successes. Even more impressive was the fact that three of those games were released just a couple of months apart. Capcom redeemed itself in a huge way over the course of two years.
Capcom does not always get it right, but when it does, the company can produce magic. Hopefully, this run will continue into the next console generation as the gaming industry needs an in-form Capcom.
