Capcom Enhancing RE Trilogy on iOS for Seamless Online Play

TouchArcade Rating: While updates for premium mobile ports are usually welcome for optimization or compatibility, Capcom's recent update (released an hour ago) for Resident Evil 7 biohazard (Free), Resident Evil 4 Remake (Free), and Resident Evil Village (Free) on iOS and iPadOS introduces an unwelcome online DRM. This DRM checks purchase history upon game launch, verifying ownership of the game and any DLC before proceeding to the title screen. Rejecting the check closes the application. This requires an internet connection for every launch, adding a delay before accessing saved games and eliminating offline play, a feature previously available. This is a significant drawback, rendering the games less convenient than before.

Pre-update testing confirmed offline functionality. Post-update, the DRM prompt appears, and refusing it terminates the game. While this may not bother all users, the forced online check for already-purchased games is concerning. Hopefully, Capcom will implement a less intrusive purchase verification method, perhaps checking less frequently. This update negatively impacts the recommendation of Capcom's premium mobile ports.

For those undecided, free trials are available. Download Resident Evil 7 biohazard on iOS, iPadOS, and macOS here. Resident Evil 4 Remake is available on the App Store here, and Resident Evil Village here. Read my reviews here, here, and here. Do you own these Resident Evil titles on iOS? What are your thoughts on this update?