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Three Indie Games Are Working to Create the Parasite Eve Experience

Back in 2020, Yoshinori Kitase renewed interest in Parasite Eve by stating that it would be a waste not to revisit the series during an interview on the official Square Enix channel. Even though nothing was in the works, those remarks sparked hope among horror fans for a possible return. I, however, was not so optimistic as the deck was stacked against any hopes of a revival.

The reason was simple: sales data – or a lack of it.

Parasite Eve is a cult series that has remained dormant for years, making Square Enix hesitant to reinvest in a franchise with uncertain potential. While horror fans frequently express interest, enthusiasm does not always translate into actual purchases, which weakens the case for a revival. When I made these comments, I was viewing the situation from Square Enix’s perspective and comparing it to the success of the Resident Evil 2 remake. What I did not expect was for some fans to go out of their way to make their own version of Parasite Eve.

As of February 2026, there are three indie titles in development that are inspired by Parasite Eve. This trend was first pointed out by @Dreamboum on Twitter/X and quickly gained traction. What stood out most was how many players were already aware of at least one Parasite Eve-inspired project in the works. This growing visibility could play a key role in reigniting Square Enix’s interest in the dormant franchise. If most of these titles achieve both critical praise and commercial success, they would provide concrete data proving demand still exists. That kind of market validation could be exactly what Square Enix needs to have the confidence to invest in a Parasite Eve remake.

The Race to Recreate Parasite Eve

These are the three indie games working to recreate the Parasite Eve experience, whether through gameplay, environment, or story. Those titles are Parasite Mutant, .45 Parabellum Bloodhound – Cyberpunk Active Time Action, and Aether Singularity. Here’s a quick look at all three:

Parasite Mutant is probably the most well known of these titles and one that I have been following for some time. It follows Nova, a special agent with psionic abilities, as she is deployed to investigate an island city that has been overrun by mutant abominations. The gameplay is that of a survival-horror RPG with a real-time combat system that makes you wait before you can make an attack. With is chracter designs and aesthetic choices, it makes no effort to hide its inspiration.

.45 PARABELLUM BLOODHOUND – Cyberpunk Active Time Action is an action RPG that follows Reila Mikazuchi, a gun for hire looking to rebuild her life by taking on risky jobs. The combat system uses an active time battle system while requiring players to balance health, action points, and psychic points. Beyond gameplay, other elements inspired by Parasite Eve include the tone and aesthetics of the world, along with the soundtrack. Among Parasite Eve-inspired projects, it stands out as one of the earliest attempts to deliver a modern interpretation of that experience.

Aether Singularity has players take on the role of Agent Silvia of the Demonic Anomalies Termination Agency (DATA), who must stop the demons who have taken over a research facility. The gameplay uses a fixed-camera angle with real-time combat and action, along with fantasy elements like spellcasting. This game draws inspiration from Parasite Eve, but also story elements from the Digital Devil Saga. While no launch date has been announced, a demo is currently available to try out.

The Ultimate Being

If most of these titles achieve commercial success, it would provide the current data showing that demand for a Parasite Eve remake still exists. At the moment, no real data is available to encourage an investment in the series.

The last entry in the series, The 3rd Birthday, launched back in 2010 for the PlayStation Portable. While it debuted with modest sales, it ultimately underperformed compared to other titles at the time. Critical reception was also mixed, as its ambitious gameplay was praised but criticized for drifting too far from the series’ core identity. Going further back, Parasite Eve ranked as the sixth top-selling game in Japan in 1998 and went on to sell over 1.9 million copies worldwide. Parasite Eve II did not reach the same heights, selling just over 1.09 million copies globally. While those figures may appear impressive, they were not enough to position the franchise as a major performer, as shown by a 2004 investor relations report that ranked Parasite Eve #20th in overall unit sales within the company’s portfolio.

One shouldn’t expect any of these titles to generate massive sales compared to AAA releases. Instead, turning a profit and posting strong numbers will be enough to showcase their marketability. More importantly, that success would demonstrate clear demand for a Parasite Eve remake and prove fans are willing to support it financially. I say this because a AAA title backed by a major publisher cannot be fairly compared to an indie project or small studio, especially when it comes to marketing budgets. Because the biggest challenge for these projects is not just funding and manpower, but the ability to build momentum.

The Next Eve

Parasite Eve remains one of my favorite games, and I would love to see a remake or revival someday. At the same time, I am rooting for Parasite Mutant, .45 Parabellum Bloodhound – Cyberpunk Active Time Action, and Aether Singularity to succeed. Each project shows real promise in capturing the spirit of a beloved cult classic. If they perform well critically and commercially, they could convince Square Enix to revive the franchise. For now, only time will tell where that renewed interest leads.

8Bit/Digi is an independent media outlet that provides insight into the video game community and industry of the San Francisco Bay Area.