Decoding the Canon: Unraveling the Resident Evil Remake Endings
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
The question of which Resident Evil remake ending is considered canon is a thorny one, much debated by fans. The short answer is: None of the individual in-game endings perfectly align with the officially accepted canon. The overarching, agreed-upon storyline involves Chris Redfield, Jill Valentine, Barry Burton, and Rebecca Chambers all surviving the events of the Arklay Mansion incident, with Wesker seemingly killed by the Tyrant, and the team activating the lab’s self-destruct mechanism before escaping. This perfect scenario isn’t achievable within a single playthrough of the original or its remake. Instead, the canon pulls elements from multiple playthroughs and supplementary materials. The definitive canon is a hybrid narrative, pieced together from various sources, not a single, readily accessible in-game ending.
Navigating the Murky Waters of Resident Evil Canon
The Resident Evil series, while beloved for its intense gameplay and terrifying creatures, has a notoriously fluid sense of canon. What’s “officially” happened often requires a bit of mental gymnastics and acceptance that some inconsistencies will exist. Remakes only further complicate things, reinterpreting events and character motivations.
The Problem with In-Game Endings
The crux of the issue lies in the fact that the original Resident Evil and its remake offered multiple endings based on player choices. The survival of Barry Burton and Rebecca Chambers is often contingent on specific actions taken during the game. It is simply not possible to create a reality where ALL characters listed in the definitive story line can exist by playing just one game. Some endings see Barry betraying Jill, while others see Rebecca falling victim to the mansion’s horrors. None of these endings reflect what’s considered canon, which features them as survivors.
Supplemental Material: Filling the Gaps
The key to understanding the canon often lies outside the games themselves. Novels, like S.D. Perry’s adaptation of the first Resident Evil, attempted to bridge the gap between the Chris and Jill storylines, though they’re not considered definitive canon these days. Later games and supplementary material, such as files found within other Resident Evil titles, offer additional context and hints about the “true” sequence of events. It is these clues, combined with developers’ statements, that helped shaped the accepted timeline.
Remakes and Reinterpretations
Remakes have a habit of tweaking events to allow different events in the future canon Resident Evil installments. This opens up interesting theories, but makes understanding where the story is going more difficult.
Resident Evil Canon: A Patchwork Quilt
Ultimately, the Resident Evil canon resembles a patchwork quilt more than a single, seamless narrative. The developers have woven together elements from various sources to create a cohesive, albeit complex, storyline. While chasing a “perfect” ending that encapsulates everything is futile, recognizing the core elements of the story allows fans to appreciate the overall narrative.
Why this Matters to the Games Learning Society
Understanding the convoluted canon of Resident Evil, is crucial for anyone studying narrative design and interactive storytelling. The series showcases how player agency, branching narratives, and the interplay between game mechanics and lore can create a rich, albeit sometimes confusing, experience. You can find more information about game studies and narrative design at the Games Learning Society website: https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. Further insights into complex gaming narratives can be found at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Resident Evil Canon
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to dive deeper into the topic of Resident Evil canon:
1. Is the Resident Evil 2 Remake canon?
Yes, the Resident Evil 2 Remake is considered part of the overall canon. However, much like the original, it presents two interwoven but distinct scenarios (Claire A/Leon B and Leon A/Claire B). The widely accepted canon is Claire A/Leon B, further evidenced in games like Umbrella Chronicles’ “Death’s Door” scenario.
2. Which Resident Evil movie is canon?
None of the live-action Resident Evil movies are considered part of the game’s canon. The animated films, however, are generally considered canon and often feature characters like Leon S. Kennedy.
3. Is Alice from the Resident Evil movies canon?
No, the character Alice, played by Milla Jovovich in the live-action films, is not part of the Resident Evil game canon. She was created specifically for the film series.
4. What happened to Wesker in the original Resident Evil?
In the original Resident Evil, Wesker seemingly died after being impaled by the Tyrant. He was presumed dead at the time but it was later revealed he injected himself with an experimental virus which revived him and granted him superhuman abilities.
5. Is Resident Evil 7 canon?
Yes, Resident Evil 7: Biohazard is absolutely canon. While it features a new protagonist and setting, it contains numerous references to the Umbrella Corporation and other established elements of the series.
6. Is Resident Evil Village canon?
Yes, Resident Evil Village is a direct sequel to Resident Evil 7 and is firmly entrenched in the canon. The game continues Ethan Winter’s story and explores themes and characters connected to the wider Resident Evil universe.
7. How did Wesker survive RE1?
Wesker survived his apparent death by injecting himself with a prototype virus developed by Umbrella, as mentioned earlier. This virus revived him, granted him superhuman abilities, and set him on his path to become the series’ primary antagonist for a time.
8. Is Barry Burton dead in the canon?
No, in the canon storyline, Barry Burton survives the events of the first Resident Evil. However, his survival depends on Jill Valentine’s actions during her playthrough.
9. Is Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine’s relationship canon?
Their relationship is presented as a strong friendship and professional partnership rather than a romantic one. Some hints throughout the games suggest mutual respect and camaraderie.
10. Why is the Resident Evil canon so confusing?
The Resident Evil canon is confusing due to multiple factors: branching narratives, character-dependent endings, retcons (retroactive continuities), and the influence of supplemental material (novels, films, etc.). The developers have also prioritized creating engaging gameplay over strict adherence to a rigid timeline.
11. Which scenario is considered canon: Leon A/Claire B or Claire A/Leon B?
The widely accepted canon is Claire A/Leon B. This scenario is supported by later games and supplemental materials, such as Umbrella Chronicles’ “Death’s Door” scenario.
12. Will Resident Evil 5 get a remake?
While Capcom hasn’t officially announced a remake of Resident Evil 5, rumors and fan speculation are rampant. Given the success of previous remakes, it’s highly plausible that a Resident Evil 5 remake is in development.
13. Are Resident Evil and Devil May Cry connected?
Originally, Devil May Cry was conceived as a prototype for Resident Evil 4. Developers decided the gameplay and story elements were too divergent from the Resident Evil franchise, and it was spun off into a separate series.
14. What does the future hold for Resident Evil remakes?
Given the consistent success of the remakes, it’s safe to assume Capcom will continue revisiting classic Resident Evil titles. Obvious candidates include Resident Evil 5 and potentially Resident Evil 0 and Code Veronica.
15. What are the core elements of the canon Resident Evil 1 story?
The core elements of the canon Resident Evil 1 story include:
- Chris, Jill, Barry, and Rebecca are dispatched to investigate the Arklay Mountains.
- The team discovers the Spencer Mansion and Umbrella’s dark secrets.
- Wesker’s betrayal is revealed.
- The four main characters escape the mansion with their lives.
- The Umbrella lab is destroyed.
These elements are the bedrock of the Resident Evil canon.
Understanding the ever-evolving Resident Evil canon requires fans to accept a certain degree of ambiguity. Embracing the patchwork nature of the narrative, rather than seeking a single, definitive answer, allows for a richer appreciation of the series’ enduring appeal.