In a significant twist, Resident Evil: Outbreak – a spin-off game, has made its return after more than 20 years on the PS2 platform, amidst the excitement generated by Capcom’s first trailer for Resident Evil 9: Requiem at the Summer Game Fest.
In just a short time, over 5,600 players have eagerly revisited the classic multiplayer experience, igniting interest in this beloved game once again.
A key highlight in the Requiem trailer is the introduction of a new character, Grace Ashcroft – an FBI agent and the daughter of Alyssa Ashcroft, a survivor from the infamous Raccoon City incident featured in Resident Evil: Outbreak. Almost immediately, the fan community began diving into Alyssa’s backstory, making the game’s return feel “hot” again.
Outbreak remains a pioneering multiplayer installment in the Resident Evil series, placing players in the roles of ordinary citizens of Raccoon City as they fight to escape the zombie-infested metropolis while avoiding the horrors unleashed by the viral outbreak. Although it sold over a million copies, the game was limited by the PS2’s hardware and has never been ported to modern platforms, leaving many players without the chance to experience this classic.
In the wake of Requiem’s buzz, many enthusiasts have sought ways to revive Outbreak. Fortunately, the game isn’t too hard to find. Prices on eBay range from $15 to $55 – with some copies even being sold alongside other Resident Evil titles like RE4. However, if you choose to buy a Japanese copy to play online, keep in mind that you will need a Japanese PS2 and a specialized network adapter. To easily rejoin the Outbreak community, players can refer to the detailed guides and receive support from the Outbreak Server Resurrection community on Discord.
The Requiem event raises a big question: will Capcom plan to remake Resident Evil Outbreak? The inclusion of a new main character being the daughter of a supporting character from a forgotten spin-off is a unique move that hasn’t previously been noted in the game’s historical timeline. With the community’s fervor, Outbreak might have the opportunity to thrive in the online environment – as the gameplay experience has been rated as not very appealing. Given that Capcom has previously released several older titles on PS5 and PC over the past year, many Outbreak fans are hopeful for a revival. Some have even suggested that Capcom should bundle a port of Outbreak with Requiem, similar to how Resident Evil Village was bundled with RE:Verse.
