Expectation vs. Reality: When a Classic Horror Game Visits the Pocket Screen
As a techno freak who’s always curious about the boundaries of technology, I was really excited when I heard that Capcom was going to port Resident Evil 7 to iOS. Seriously, a horror game as iconic as that could be played on my beloved iPhone 15 Pro? Automatically, I immediately jumped to try it out, right! My expectations were through the roof, thinking I’d get an immersive horror experience anywhere.
But, after almost a year since the initial release in July 2024, by May 2025, honestly I have to admit: the reality wasn’t as wow as I imagined. I still remember Mobile Gamer’s report back then, which said that RE7’s sales on iOS were really below expectations. With a price of $19.99 on the App Store, a figure of less than 2,000 buyers and only generating around $28,140, I swear, it made me think hard: What’s the deal?
Visuals are Okay, But Something’s Missing, Right?
Well, this is what makes me hesitant. Visually, I’m honestly really amazed by the graphic details on the iPhone 15 Pro. Thanks to the powerful chipset, RE7 looks really shiny, the environment details are on point, the lighting effects also make the atmosphere more gripping. You’ll definitely like this too, especially for those who like to show off the graphic capabilities on premium smartphones! I often show it to my friends, “Look, now iPhones can render games as heavy as this!”
But, here’s the catch: the gaming experience isn’t that immersive. Playing a horror game that relies on atmosphere and small details on a screen that is, well, just that, makes the feel less captivating. The horror becomes like “half-hearted horror”. This isn’t the technology’s fault, the iPhone 15 Pro is already very capable. But, maybe it’s more about our perception and habits that have become accustomed to wide screens and sound systems that are booming for genres like RE7.
Controls, Immersion, and the AAA Mobile Game Dilemma
The next problem? Controls. I tried using the touchscreen, but frankly, it’s a bit awkward and less precise, especially for a horror game that requires quick reactions and shooting accuracy. Although there’s an option to use an external controller, but the goal of playing on mobile is to be practical, right? If I have to carry a controller again, I might as well play on a console.
This phenomenon isn’t just RE7, you know. I remember, when Assassin’s Creed Mirage from Ubisoft was also released, the expectations were high, but in the end, it also got a similar response. It seems that, by May 2025, gamers and even big publishers like Capcom or Ubisoft are still facing a fundamental question: Does the mobile market really want raw AAA console game ports like this?
I personally feel, we don’t dislike AAA games on mobile, but we need an experience that is optimized specifically for mobile. Whether it’s by adapting more intuitive controls, or even game modes that are more concise and suited to the habits of playing on handheld devices. Commercial failures like this should be an important lesson for publishers to review their porting strategies to the mobile platform in the future.
What Does Boogeng Say for the Future of AAA Mobile Gaming?
As someone who is always enthusiastic about technological developments, I’m still impressed by Capcom’s efforts to port RE7. It shows that technically, our smartphones are very capable. But, it seems that the homework is still long to make AAA games really “click” in the mobile ecosystem, in terms of business and user experience.
Maybe in the future, we need a more innovative approach, not just porting. What do you think? Is AAA gaming on mobile really worth the hype or just a gimmick?
