The original trilogy of Resident Evil games has finally been added to Steam, but without achievements and with DRM (Digital Rights Management). Resident Evil was released on the original PlayStation and PC in 1996. Capcom’s survival horror game was an immediate success, quickly spawning multiple sequels. The series has also inspired live-action movies, tons of merchandise, and even Fortnite crossovers.
This year’s Resident Evil Requiem has already sold more than 6 million copies, and fans are speculating about what Capcom plans to do next with the series. There are still multiple Resident Evil games that have not received a remake, including Resident Evil Zero and Resident Evil — Code: Veronica. The publisher has remained quiet about what’s up next for the series, but it’s a safe bet that fans will have plenty to look forward to in the future.
The Original Resident Evil Games Come to Steam
Capcom’s first three Resident Evil games can now be purchased on Steam, alongside their more recent remakes. Resident Evil (1996), Resident Evil 2 (1998), and Resident Evil 3 (1999) have all been added to the platform and will be priced normally at $9.99. There’s a special discount available at the moment, which cuts that price down to just $4.99 each. GOG brought the original Resident Evil trilogy back to PC in 2024, but this marks the first time these games have been available through Steam. The news should be exciting for fans of the series, but there are some caveats: none of the games have achievements, and all three releases have DRM.
Balance the critic averages
Balance the critic averages
Easy (6)Medium (8)Hard (10)
DRM has long been a source of controversy among gamers, and there are horror games on Steam that are DRM-free. Unfortunately, the original Resident Evil games all have DRM, which means Steam users will need an active connection to play them. So far, it doesn’t seem like most people care, as all three games have a “very positive” rating on the platform. It’s possible many Resident Evil fans are just happy to have these games playable again on their platform of choice, and that they’re willing to make some compromises if it means being able to do so.
Capcom has been somewhat stubborn about making these games playable on modern platforms; the original Resident Evil trilogy remains unavailable on both Nintendo Switch and Xbox Series X/S, despite many other games in the series being available on both. The publisher has made a habit of offering physical collections of its older games lately, including the recently released Mega Man Star Force Legacy Collection. A similar option for the original Resident Evil games would seem like a natural continuation of this pattern, especially given the franchise’s enduring popularity. It’s possible the Steam release could indicate that Capcom is open to bringing these games to more players, but there’s no way of knowing for certain.
This year is the 30th anniversary of Resident Evil, and the release of these games on Steam is a pretty good way to celebrate the occasion. While all three games have seen superior remakes released over the years, that doesn’t negate the importance of the originals. There’s a reason the original trilogy found so much success, and this should make it easier for new fans to see how far the series has come since the early days. The developers have moved beyond the “tank” control schemes in those games, and the cheesy acting prominent in the original Resident Evil. However, it’s easier to appreciate the current era of the series when players can see how far things have come.
