Resident Evil and Resident Evil 2 were from another time. Resident Evil 3 was anemic and disappointing but deserved a second chance. But Resident Evil 4 is a classic that reinvented an entire genre, reinvigorating the series with a gameplay loop so endlessly rewarding that it still deserves a replay every few years, even after nearly two decades. These first three made cases for their remakes – rooted in their age – but Resident Evil 4 can’t claim to be geriatric, though it still challenges most of its competition. The Resident Evil 4 However, the remake is a carefully considered reimagining that more than justifies its existence by keeping the original skeleton and thoughtfully improving it without sacrificing the brilliant heart of Las Plagas at its center.
Resident Evil 4‘s combat is one of its most enduring legacies and is a powerful example of the smart changes Capcom has made extensively with this remake. The original revolutionized the horror genre of the series by injecting more adrenaline into the mix, maintaining the inherent tension but ramping up its action and pace. Enemy and resource management were still crucial Resident Evil 4However, players had to make decisions even faster and more skillfully to defeat stronger and larger enemy forces.
The remake still has the general flow of the incoming crowd dominating the rush, and that excitement cannot be understated. Battles are always frenetic, nail-biting affairs that test the player’s instincts and reaction times amid all-encompassing chaos. The ever-present chaos comes from the resources from which bodies dynamically drop, which forms of Las Plagas pop up, what ammo is in stock, the types of enemies that spawn, and which parts of the arena the player is directed to. With a wide variety of enemies, a constant supply of unique scenarios, and extensive weapon upgrade trees, encounters never lose their edge because the game has so many different variables that balance gratifying player choice with an unpredictable flare that keeps it interesting. It is a set of systems that are remarkable on their own and surpass when put together.
Flipping it from the original is no small task, but Capcom was able to go above and beyond by adding that loop in this remake. The speed dial feature – which has been a staple of the series ever since Resident Evil 5 — finally removes the annoying menu-based weapon switching from the original. It’s not always as immediate as it should be due to some prioritization of animations, but it’s significantly less intrusive than having to slowly pause the game for a shotgun. The ability to move and fire at the same time does, too Resident Evil 4 more fluid and hasn’t absorbed the tension as it has only allowed for more frantic steering and shaving.
The new Parry also helps with these shaves, as Leon can parry almost any melee attack. While the combination of knife durability seems limiting at first, it’s a wonderfully nuanced system that works in tandem with its aggressive nature while providing a more mechanically rewarding defensive option. A poorly executed parry will stop an attack (with the exception of Professional), but when timed perfectly it will stun the enemy and open them up for a quick start. Unfortunately, there’s no way to ward off infections, and some enemies are very handy, but doing a quick counterattack to break free at the cost of high durability is a decent trade-off. It’s yet another skill-based option that naturally fits Resident Evil 4n intricately interwoven systems.
And while these combat changes highlight what does Resident Evil 4 Resident Evil 4, some other tweaks bring out other features of the set’s DNA. Despite some annoying exceptions that unexpectedly tie into previous areas, it’s much more open than the original, with locked boxes and side quests that encourage players to backtrack and stray from the main path.
Dead Space has been drifting aimlessly in space since 2013, after Electronic Arts unceremoniously cut its umbilical cord. It died…
As shown Empty space remake, these additions reward those willing to explore with valuable resources, unexpectedly challenging battles, and a more intimate sense of place. Going through the areas multiple times adds to the familiar feeling that some of the best video game centers have, such as Resident Evil 2‘s Raccoon Police Station and USG Ishimura from the above Empty space remake. Redesigned levels that nest neatly into each other and the lack of loading screens also make backtracking a painless exercise. Coupled with its more intuitive puzzles and new open treasure matching mechanic, Resident Evil 4 is much closer to the previous one Resident Evil games without abandoning its own identity as an action-oriented publication.
It’s an extraordinary balancing act that also extends to the series’ horror roots, as the radical leap in technology allows it to use darkness to create more eerie scenarios. Ashley’s revamped section benefits greatly from this visual makeover, as Capcom uses this angst-inducing key hunt centered around a unique mechanic that takes full advantage of the improved lighting. With an entire segment revamped and the horror doubled, playing as Ashley is no longer a boring diversion from the main star, but a stressful and welcome change of pace.
Capcom once again adds horror elements with their Regenerators, bathing the island lab they call home in dim, flickering lights and creating complex scenarios that test the player’s ability to function under pressure in the darkness. The game’s best features are summed up when you think about where to go and have to sniff out little Las Plagas parasites on a moving target with such a narrow margin of error. While their disturbingly elongated arms, red eyes, and ominous asthmatic whines were terrifying in the original version, they are downright terrifying in the remake, as it is built to better highlight these terrifying features.
This part of the game is a triumph, not only because of its clever design, but also because of how it deviates from the expected path. Subverting expectations works great in the context of horror and why its scarier parts are so effective, but it also keeps the game interesting as a whole.
Capcom has analyzed seemingly every inch of the original, coming up with ways to bring out a certain tone of a section or implement entirely new ideas. Iconic enemy encounters have been cleverly remixed, action sequences are bigger and grander, some sections have been relocated, old enemies have new functions, boss fights (which benefit greatly from game updates) is streamlined across the boardand some filler stretches have been given compelling new mechanics or twists.
Even the story is significantly more coherent because the team added context and connective tissue that ties it together better. Ashley and Luis have seen the most improvement as they’re no longer bumbling dweebs, but skilled characters with real arcs and a lot more agency. Leon also has more emotion and thankfully not only treats Ashley with disdain, but still maintains his signature one-liners and acrobatic skills that are among his best. Ada, on the other hand, gives a surprisingly lifeless performance with stiff lines that aim for effortless cool but just look effortless. It’s confusing why Capcom brought Ada’s actress back from the abuse Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City when the character was so well portrayed in the sublime Resident Evil 2 remake.
Except for Ada’s worse voice, almost all other adjustments Resident Evil 4 the remake is a remarkable achievement that makes one of the best games of all time even better. It’s not even just about the quality of these changes, but how many there are during that 20-hour campaign. Capcom basically understood why Resident Evil 4 is a classic, and with the help of that knowledge, a scarier and more fast-paced version of the game was developed that also respects the puzzle-oriented nature of the other parts. The harmonious combination of these songs has made it ultimate Resident Evil game, a top-notch remake, and an overall masterpiece.
SCORE: 10/10
Like Coming Soon review policy explains, a score of 10 equals a “masterpiece.” This is a rare release that transcends genre and must be experienced by all fans of the medium.
Disclosure: We were provided a PlayStation 5 copy by the publisher Resident Evil 4 remake review. Revised in version 1.002.000.
