Despite the name, Resident Evil: Resistance doesn’t actually fit within the series canon according to Capcom. The asymmetrical multiplayer survival game was first teased in August 2019 before debuting in full during the 2019 Tokyo Game Show that September.
Formerly known as Project Resistance, the Left 4 Dead-style game pits four players controlling Raccoon City teenagers against another human-controlled antagonist dubbed The Mastermind. As the name suggests, The Mastermind is responsible for throwing waves of zombies and other monstrosities at players to prevent them from escaping their secret lab. The Mastermind can even take direct control of Resident Evil 2’s terrifying Mr. X. Meanwhile, the job of the four teenagers is simple: survive and escape. The game was originally thought to be a stand-alone spin-off or even the next mainline entry. However, Capcom later confirmed that Resident Evil: Resistance will serve as a separate multiplayer mode included with the upcoming remake of Resident Evil 3.
Despite its narrative similarities with the franchise, an interview with Resident Evil 3 remake producer Chris Fabiano reveals Resistance is a non-canon spin-off. Speaking to Official PlayStation Magazine (via PC Gamer), Fabiano clarifies that Resistance’s scenarios “make it impossible to fit within the actual timeline.” Rather, Resistance and RE 3 both share thematic themes of escape and that’s a primary factor in why they’re being bundled together. Fabiano elaborated:
Resident Evil is no stranger to online multiplayer games. Capcom has had mixed results with the idea between games like the Resident Evil: Outbreak series during the PlayStation 2 era and, most recently, 2016’s critically panned Umbrella Corps. Resistance will be the series first stab at crafting an asymmetrical multiplayer which has most famously been template for games like Evolve and the cancelled Fable Legends.
“You’ll remember that the Japanese subtitle for RE3 was Last Escape. Both of these titles have characters that are trying to escape somewhere or something, so thematically it made sense. We also wanted to take up the challenge of building out an online game set in the RE universe.”
Resistance always seemed like a wacky spin-off so this clarification isn’t completely surprising. Unfortunately, fans will now have to accept the hard truth that Resistance’s Martin Sandwich doesn’t count in the grand scheme of the series. On the bright side, Resident Evil 3 as a whole looks to be shaping up nicely. A recent trailer showed off Nemesis’ terrifying modern facelift and it’s also been one of the remaining big titles that hasn’t yet been delayed out of the spring. With Resident Evil: Resistance in tow, fans will have two very different survival horror experiences to dive into when Resident Evil 3 launches this April.
Next: Resident Evil: 10 Hidden Details You Never Knew About Claire Redfield
Resident Evil 3 launches April 3rd for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC.
Source: Official PlayStation Magazine (via PC Gamer)
