This was a review-in-progress, meaning it was be updated upon the game’s release to include further impressions involving aspects of the game that were covered by the pre-release embargo.
Resident Evil 4 Remake takes the survival-horror and bombastic action of Resident Evil 4 and perfects them in ways I didn’t even realize I had wanted. Everything from the original game that I love is refined and amplified, while the things that could use some work have been removed or improved upon. This is the benchmark for a good remake, as it will easily please longtime Resident Evil 4 fans and newcomers alike.
Resident Evil 4
Developer: Capcom
Price: $60
Platforms:PS5 (reviewed), PS4, Xbox Series X/S, and PC
MonsterVine was provided with a PS5 code for review
Resident Evil 4 is one of those near-perfect games that, to this day, stands out as a crown jewel of the medium. It’s silly, badass, exciting, creepy, and fun all at once, and frankly, I felt it didn’t need to be remade. I still don’t think it needed a remake, but I certainly don’t mind that it got one, as it once again lets the fourth main Resident Evil game prove that it’s as good as the genre gets.
The story is pretty close to how you remember, though quite a bit of backstory has been added behind the zanier plot threads to ground them a bit. Essentially all of this backstory is found through optional documents and external information found throughout the game, so you can ignore it all if you prefer. Regardless, the inclusion of new information to round out the plot makes for a deeper narrative that fits better into the world of the Resident Evil remakes.
Luis is given further background and a bit of extra development to give him even more character beyond the original’s iconic charm, while Krauser’s relationship with Leon and his immense hatred for the rookie are expanded upon. One of my few issues with the original title was that Krauser, to me, seemed like a late addition who had a background with Leon that wasn’t especially clear or meaningful. The additional backstory isn’t extraneous or annoying and never gets in the way of Krauser’s existing role as a fairly simple badass rival/antagonist, which makes the final clash between Leon and Krauser (now much less quick-time event-oriented) even more riveting.
The sections in which you play as Ashley are much more effective at being both scary and enjoyable this time around, while Ashley’s character on the whole feels much less like a plot object and more like an actual character. Her and Leon have some great banter that makes them both stand out even more. I was worried Leon may lose his, for lack of a better word, dorkiness in the remake process, but he still has plenty of cheesy quips peppered in between his badass moments.
“You can tell a lot of effort and love for Resident Evil 4 went into each of the remake’s decisions and changes to ensure nothing special was lost in the process.“
Shooting is in-line with Resident Evil 2 and 3’s remakes, though this might take some getting used to if you’ve played the original Resident Evil 4 a fair amount. This remake rejigs Resident Evil 4 to be a bit slower and more horror-oriented, so playing with a more arcade-y and quicker style may not work for everyone. Granted, the ability to parry certain attacks with your knife adds a bit more of a skill ceiling to play around with, but for the most part, this is a slower game where shots mean more.
There are shooting galleries at some of the shops where you can blast blast your way through various levels. These let you get some practice in while also testing your accuracy and quick thinking/weapon swapping. These also net you coins that you can use to purchase charms, which are keychains of the game’s many enemies. When you attack these to your attaché case, you’re granted different bonuses that improve your drop rates for certain items, give you a better chance of crafting additional ammo, and more. It’s a handy little system that you could completely ignore, but it’s so fun and rewarding that it earns its place in the remake. Plus, when you shoot with characters like Luis or Ashley present, they cheer you on, making these characters even more endearing.
Certain areas are expanded upon in a way that doesn’t unnecessarily pad the length but does provide additional depth to the game. Some characters are given further backstory and intriguing motivations while others who were already completely fine are left as they were. You can tell a lot of effort and love for Resident Evil 4 went into each of the remake’s decisions and changes to ensure nothing special was lost in the process.
Tiny things like a late-game boss still dying to a single rocket launcher shot or Del Lago killing you when you shoot the lake are recreated, meaning fans of the original game can relive many of the little details that made Resident Evil 4 even more special. I can’t stress enough how clear it is that the developers love and respect Resident Evil 4, as this remake just adds more and more without taking anything good away.
Visually, Resident Evil 4 Remake is as beautiful as it is disturbing. Characters like the chainsaw-wielding Dr. Salvador or the already-terrifying Regenerators are given new life without having their designs changed in any way that makes them unrecognizable. The iconic set pieces that Resident Evil 4 is known for look exactly as I thought they did when the original game looked sharp and HD to me, which is the greatest compliment I could give to a remake.
The Final Word
Resident Evil 4 Remake is both an incredible game and a brilliant remake. Everything great about the original game is present and often expanded upon while its weaker parts have been smoothed out and improved. Once you get used to its slower pace, you’re in for a riveting and spooky thrill ride that you won’t be able to put down.
MonsterVine Rating: 5 out of 5 – Excellent
