Monster Hunter's Reign Makes Dino Crisis "Feel Like There's No Space", Says Mikami

Resident Evil and Dino Crisis mastermind Shinji Mikami has expressed his doubts about the future of the dino-slaying franchise, citing the overwhelming popularity of Capcom's Monster Hunter series as a significant factor.

Speaking to Eurogamer at Gamescom, Mikami discussed the potential for a new Dino Crisis game – a title that many Capcom fans, according to a recent survey, have been clamouring for. While admitting he was surprised by the resurgence of interest in the series, the renowned game director highlighted the impact of Monster Hunter's success on his own creative vision.

“I'm very surprised to hear that,” Mikami said regarding fan desire for more Dino Crisis. “The awesomeness of dinosaurs and the stuff you can do with dinosaurs, that’s been kind of really nailed down by Monster Hunter in recent years. So even if I were to decide to make a remake or a new version of Dino Crisis, I don't really feel like there's a whole lot of space for that kind of game right now, just since Monster Hunter has become such a big game. But yeah, it is surprising.”

Mikami's comments come amidst a wave of speculation sparked by Capcom's online dinosaur-themed shooter, Exoprimal. Many fans initially viewed the title as a potential revival of Dino Crisis, only to be left disappointed by its distinct gameplay and narrative.

"The concept is pretty different from that of Dino Crisis," Mikami clarified when asked about the similarities between the two games. "I guess the fans got their expectations up, but here we are."

While Dino Crisis 3, released in 2003, has attained cult classic status, there has been no official word on any plans for a remake, remaster, or sequel. Despite persistent rumours, the franchise has also yet to make its appearance on the PS Plus service.

Mikami, meanwhile, has stepped away from Tango Gameworks, which recently closed its doors, and established a new studio called KAMUY. Whether he will revisit the world of Dino Crisis remains to be seen, but his recent comments suggest that the franchise's future may be overshadowed by the colossal presence of Monster Hunter.