The critically acclaimed remake of Resident Evil 2 is making its way to Apple devices, launching on December 31. Originally released in 2019, the remake of the beloved survival-horror classic is now available for pre-order on the App Store, bringing the intense, heart-pounding action to iPhone, iPad, and Mac devices.
It follows the earlier announcement from Capcom, which revealed that the game was in development for Apple’s ecosystem after confirming Resident Evil 7: Biohazard for similar platforms. Resident Evil 2 will be the fourth game in the franchise to arrive on Apple’s devices, marking another milestone in the company’s push to deliver more AAA gaming experiences to its users.
Launch Details and Device Compatibility
According to the App Store listing, Resident Evil 2 will be available on December 31, with compatibility across the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 16 series, as well as iPad and MacBook models equipped with the M1 chip or newer. Players will have a chance to dive into the chilling world of Raccoon City with a free-to-play segment of the game. However, access to the complete experience will require an in-app purchase.
The game’s Universal Purchase feature allows players to enjoy it on multiple Apple devices without having to buy it separately for each platform. However, one caveat is that saved data cannot be transferred between macOS and iOS devices, as confirmed by the App Store. The remake will demand a hefty 31GB of storage space, and users should be prepared for an installation process that requires twice the available storage. While the game can be played with touch controls on iPhone and iPad, Apple highly recommends using a controller for a more immersive and seamless experience.
Capcom’s Growing Presence on Apple Devices
The Resident Evil 2 remake marks another significant release for Capcom on Apple’s devices, following the success of Resident Evil 4, Resident Evil: Village, and Resident Evil 7: Biohazard. These launches are part of a broader effort by Apple to introduce more AAA titles to its hardware, with a focus on attracting gamers who are looking for console-quality experiences on mobile platforms. In addition to Capcom’s popular franchise, other major titles like Assassin’s Creed Mirage from Ubisoft and Hideo Kojima’s Death Stranding have also debuted on iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
However, despite the excitement around these releases, the financial performance of AAA games on Apple’s platform has been underwhelming. Reports suggest that while the Resident Evil 4 remake garnered around 357,000 installs on iPhone, only about 7,000 players actually paid to unlock the full game. This raises questions about the viability of premium-priced AAA games in the mobile gaming market, which tends to lean more toward free-to-play and microtransaction-driven models.
The Future of Resident Evil on Apple
Capcom’s relationship with Apple seems to be growing despite these challenges. In July, the company confirmed that a new Resident Evil game is currently in development under the leadership of Resident Evil 7: Biohazard director Koshi Nakanishi. With the continued evolution of Apple’s hardware and its efforts to attract major developers, it remains to be seen whether the upcoming titles will resonate more with mobile audiences or if Apple’s AAA gaming push will need to pivot toward more casual experiences.
As Apple gears up for the launch of Resident Evil 2 on its devices, fans of the franchise can look forward to another spine-chilling adventure that’s just a tap away, but only time will tell if the game’s arrival will translate into a broader success for AAA gaming on the platform.