Capcom Updates ‘Resident Evil 4′, ‘Resident Evil Village’, and ‘Resident Evil 7’ on iOS With Online DRM

TouchArcade Rating:

Capcom's recent update to its iOS and iPadOS ports of Resident Evil 7 biohazard, Resident Evil 4 Remake, and Resident Evil Village has introduced a controversial change: mandatory online DRM. While updates often improve optimization or compatibility, this update requires an internet connection to verify game ownership upon launch. This means offline play is no longer possible. The game checks your purchase history before allowing access to the title screen. Rejecting the verification closes the application. While the verification process is relatively quick with an active internet connection, the inability to launch the games offline is a significant drawback for many players. This is a regrettable step backward, as these titles previously functioned perfectly offline.

Prior to this update, all three games were playable offline. This change makes the games less convenient and less appealing, particularly for those who purchased them outright. While some players may not be affected, the addition of this always-on DRM is a concerning development. Hopefully, Capcom will reconsider this implementation or at least reduce the frequency of these checks. This update unfortunately impacts the recommendation of these premium-priced mobile ports.

For those who haven't purchased the games, they are available as free trials. You can download Resident Evil 7 biohazard here, Resident Evil 4 Remake here, and Resident Evil Village here. My reviews of these games can be found here, here, and here.

What are your thoughts on this update and Capcom's decision to implement always-on DRM for these already purchased games? Do you own these Resident Evil titles on iOS?