A newly announced game called Parasite Mutant appears heavily inspired by Square Enix’s critically acclaimed 1998 sci-fi horror game, Parasite Eve. While fans have long hoped for an official Parasite Eve remake, they may eventually have to settle for this upcoming indie title, which seems like a spiritual remake.
Regarded as one of the best horror games of the 90s, Parasite Eve is recognized as an influential title that helped shape the genre. A memorable feature of this classic Square Enix game is its focus on role-playing mechanics, allowing players to experiment with different builds in each playthrough. Despite its popularity and critical acclaim, Parasite Eve has never been officially confirmed for a remake, leaving fans to pin their hopes on fan-driven projects like Parasite Mutant.
Parasite Mutant Is a Sci-Fi Horror Game Inspired by Parasite Eve
Announced for PC and PlayStation 5, Parasite Mutant is expected to release in 2026, with an announcement trailer already showcasing its gameplay. The story follows a female agent sent to an abandoned island to investigate paranormal activities. While Parasite Mutant features anime-style visuals, its atmosphere, enemy design, and especially its combat mechanics closely resemble Parasite Eve‘s, with some updates. For instance, the game introduces the Active Time Chain system, a modernized take on the classic Active Time Battle mechanic in many 90s JRPG games.
Many fans who have seen the announced trailer for Parasite Mutant consider it a spiritual successor to the Square Enix classic. Although the game clearly draws inspiration from Parasite Eve, fans don’t seem to mind the similarities. One fan wrote, “If Square Enix has not announced any plans to go back to the Parasite Eve series, [I] might as well play this one.” It’s worth noting that rumors of an official Parasite Eve remake have circulated for years, though none have been confirmed by the developer. The most recent rumors surfaced in February 2025, with some leakers claiming that Square Enix might reveal an official Parasite Eve remake during the February 12 State of Play presentation.
Fans of classic horror games might also be interested to know that Parasite Mutant isn’t the only title compared to Square Enix’s 1998 game. In July 2025, an indie title called Heartworm was also seen as a Parasite Eve-like game, though it shared many similarities with classic Resident Evil installments as well. It remains to be seen whether the upcoming indie project will satisfy fans’ desire for a new Parasite Eve experience or be dismissed as a cheap clone.