TouchArcade Rating: 
While updates for premium mobile ports often improve optimization or compatibility, Capcom's recent update (released an hour ago) for Resident Evil 7 biohazard, Resident Evil 4 Remake, and Resident Evil Village on iOS and iPadOS introduces an unwelcome change: mandatory online DRM.
This DRM checks purchase history upon game launch, verifying ownership of the game and any DLC before accessing the title screen. Rejecting the verification results in the game closing. Even with an internet connection, this adds a delay before resuming gameplay. Critically, offline play is now impossible. Prior to this update, all three games functioned offline.
Pre-update testing confirmed offline functionality. Post-update, the verification prompt appears, and selecting "no" terminates the game. This forced online check is a significant drawback for players who purchased the games previously. While some may not be bothered, the addition of this DRM negatively impacts the user experience. Ideally, Capcom should implement a less intrusive purchase verification method, perhaps checking less frequently. This update makes recommending Capcom's premium iOS ports more challenging.
The games remain free to try. Download Resident Evil 7 biohazard for 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, and what are your thoughts on this update?
