The original Resident Evil 4 from 2005 and its glorious Gamecube release is not only my favourite in the series but it is also in my top ten in terms of my favourite games that I have ever played. In the years since I have played the original Resident Evil 4 on various consoles including the Wii and on the Xbox One which is the 360 remaster. Before playing the remake I did go back and play through the remaster and I will start the review by saying that for me this 2023 remake is not as good as the original but it is very good and I will go on to explain as to why.
The obvious jump between the two versions is in graphical quality and it really is quite impressive. The castle section of the game in particular is exquisitely and finely detailed from interiors to paintings and everything in between. The village and the island look great also but it was the castle that particularly impressed with the graphical jump which makes it come to life all the more. The character models look great, although I don't like some of the models as much as previously such as Ada's example but it's not a complaint either.
This leads me into the story and how the characters are portrayed within the remake. I think on the whole that there is much more depth here within some characters and I'd point out Ashley and Luis specifically where Ashley has gone from a ditsy ineffective girl to a stronger, useful, likeable and much more interesting character. Ada in the remake by contrast has been toned down and I miss Sally Cahill's voice in addition to how she looked in the original game. That's not say that it is bad and Ada still uses her sex appeal in a way that I would associate with her but it is toned down by comparison. Lastly there are the villains such as Krauser, Sadler and Ramon where I think Krauser of the three has a little more depth in terms of his backstory.
The remake plays like the other remakes and so doesn't really deviate from that. There are not quick time events here but there are still button prompts that can catch you off guard with certain enemies. Almost everything has been faithfully recreated from the chainsaw madman to the ordinary ganados whether they're throwing dynamite or an axe at you. Some of the weapons feels punchier such as the shotgun which if an enemy gets close enough will blow limbs off in addition to exploding heads. The treasure system has been updated and now allows more customisation in terms of what gems you match up with the trinkets that you have found within the game and I like the system. I don't think that there is anything new in terms of weapons and the Killer 7 from the original is in the remake and the actual title of the gun is a reference to another Capcom game that was part of the four games that Capcom was originally making exclusive for the Gamecube back in the day.
---Elements (scored out of 10)---
Graphics -9- Very good generally with nice lighting and is only spoiled by pop in which features in certain areas and I noticed it in the island section particularly.
Sound -8- Good voice acting but I do miss some of the previous actors. That's not to say it is bad at all though. The music is just fine and nothing extraordinary besides visiting the trader and at the end of a chapter.
Gameplay -9- It's still super fun to play with all the running around and combat which is easy to pull off with no barrier.
Lifespan -8- After finishing my first playthrough I do intend to go back to play it again at some point. The first run through took me just over 20 hours.
---Verdict---
The Resident Evil 4 remake is a fantastic game as was the original game it was based on. The remake sticks to the original with the story (aside from some small alterations), and Capcom have consistently proven themselves as the kings of remakes where the original source material is respected, but given certain gameplay improvements such as a better map which reads items for you, even if you've missed them, more responsive controls and cutting the quicktime events.
I do have a couple of criticisms and that is the game feels "more Hollywood" and lacks the camp or silliness within the 2005 game where Resident Evil in recent iterations has leaned into the whole serious big budget film aesthetic which is sad and soulless but it is what it is. The other negative is that this remake is symptomatic of a video game industry that as is with the film industry seems devoid of new ideas. As I have stated and I want to reiterate that this is a brilliant update but it is still also the case that it didn't really need an update and this is what Capcom and other studios now seem to prioritise instead of new games and there are various other examples that I could cite. That being said though Capcom are one of the best studios in video games and it isn't a complete botched mess at all, it's far from it. I'd recommend playing this but I would still recommend the original 2005 game for the definitive Resident Evil 4 experience.
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From the manufacturer
GAME OVERVIEW
Resident Evil 4 joins Leon S. Kennedy six years after his hellish experiences in the biological disaster of Raccoon City. His unmatched resolve caused him to be recruited as an agent reporting directly to the president of the United States. With the experience of multiple missions on his back, Leon is dispatched to rescue the president’s recently kidnapped daughter. Leon tracks her to a secluded European village, however after making first contact he discovers a fervor beyond reason grips the local populace.
Now, this reimagined tale of survival in the face of overwhelming terror returns to deliver a visually stunning modern gaming experience that is true to the promise of the original release. Fans and newcomers alike can revel in both the new and familiar, as RE Engine heightens the design and creative direction of the original game.
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• Reawaken a Classic – Resident Evil 4 preserves the essence of the original game, now reconstructed using Capcom’s proprietary RE Engine to deliver realistic visuals and additional narrative depth to the iconic story that was not possible at the time of the original release. • Modernized Gameplay – The team from 2019’s Resident Evil 2 returns to build upon the series’ modern approach to survival horror. Engage in frenzied combat with the Ganados villagers, explore a European village gripped by madness, and solve puzzles to access new areas and collect useful items for Leon and Ashley’s constant struggle to survive. |
o Overwhelming Hordes – Face hordes of rabid enemies that threaten to overwhelm Leon with even more diverse methods of attack than in the original release. o Survive on a Knife’s Edge – Years of intense training have taught Leon new ways to use his knife, helping to even the odds against the unrelenting onslaught of enemies. By parrying enemy attacks, you can avoid debilitating damage and evade lunging enemies seeking to grab Leon and hold him in place. Make smart use of scavenged knives to deliver precise finishing moves on vulnerable enemies, and even use the element of surprise to quietly dispatch unsuspecting foes before your knives break. |
• Reimagined Story – Resident Evil 4 dials up the original release’s key feelings of loneliness and the fear of enemies blinded by zealotry, while providing more nuanced depictions of the character motivations and relationships that defined the 2005 survival horror icon. • Sophisticated Visuals – Built on Capcom’s proprietary RE Engine, Resident Evil 4 delivers breathtakingly photorealistic visuals in 4K, complete with stunning lighting and pooling shadows to create an up-close, intense atmosphere. |
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