Resident Evil 4 Remake Review
I had doubts when I heard that Capcom was making a remake of Resident Evil 4. Perhaps it was because after witnessing how amazing Resident Evil 2 Remake was, Resident Evil 3 Remake left me somewhat hesitant. But what if this turns out to be a sine wave? What if Capcom delivers an impressive comeback once again? After putting the controller down, I realized that the 15 hours I spent on this game were truly worth it. I reminisced about the excitement and happiness of completing the original version over a decade ago. And now, I was stepping into Leon's shoes once more. That feeling of fulfillment had returned.
Before discussing this latest remake, I want to take a moment to talk about the classic original released nearly 20 years ago. I know, perhaps for many, this masterpiece needs no introduction. But I still want to mention it because this was the first horror game I ever played, and it completely changed my perspective on this genre. And I realized I wasn't alone; many others shared the same sentiment. Resident Evil 4 is considered a pivotal moment in the horror game genre, and even the gaming industry as a whole. It became such an iconic title that many famous games that followed, such as Dead Space or The Last of Us, drew inspiration and were influenced by it. Resident Evil 4 itself was a revolution for the franchise, changing the fixed camera perspective to a third-person over-the-shoulder view, completely altering the experience while remaining captivating. Shinji Mikami is truly a master of horror games, and the original version of Resident Evil 4 that he directed compelled me to play subsequent Resident Evil entries, and even the earlier ones, despite never being a fan of the horror genre.
I mention this to emphasize the immense influence and value that this iconic monument holds, which puts tremendous pressure on the remake to live up to expectations. Luckily, Capcom managed to preserve the classic elements while making necessary changes to align with modern standards, aiming to deliver an unforgettable experience that won't fade away.
To ensure the accuracy of this review, I had to revisit the original game. Partly because I had lost an old gaming magazine from a Vietnamese editorial office that had reviewed this game. I remember being a child back then and being thoroughly excited after reading that review. This is probably the main reason why I wanted to try Resident Evil 4. And now, as those memories have faded, going back to the original is the best way for me to understand what I need from this remake. From the somewhat clunky character movement and the requirement to stand still while shooting, to some outdated quality-of-life elements, it's clear that those who haven't played the Resident Evil series or specifically Resident Evil 4 might find the original cumbersome. The remake is here to help us enjoy the game more easily.
Returning to the storyline, this remake closely follows the narrative left by the original. You play as Leon Kennedy, who has become a government agent for the United States after the zombie disaster in Resident Evil 2. Now, he is dispatched to a remote rural area in Spain to rescue the daughter of the U.S. president, Ashley Graham. This place is inhabited by a dangerous cult with many mysterious and sinister elements.
In terms of structure, as it hasn't changed much from the original, the story is still told through three main areas: the village, the castle, and finally, the island. However, what I highly appreciate about Capcom is that they take the "Remake" label seriously. This is not a one-to-one remake. The in-game storyline still maintains its core narrative and familiar encounters between key characters, but not every detail will be the same or identical. Capcom knows exactly which details to preserve and which ones to redesign or even remove entirely. This is where I realize that this remake has both similarities and a sense of freedom, breaking away from the shadow and wanting to tell a story that aligns with the standards of 2023.
Hence, even though the storyline is preserved, the difference comes from how Capcom portrays it. It's no longer a cheesy B-movie horror action with over-the-top humor and one-liners packed into one sentence. Capcom seems to be aware that the pacing and humor tone of the game have now changed because if it remained the same, it would come across as cringe and could make the characters less appealing than before.
From there, I realized that changing the character development while still maintaining the core storyline is an incredibly challenging task, and Capcom achieved it in a way not everyone can. Specifically, Leon is not just the super-cool guy with a slick haircut reminiscent of Leonardo DiCaprio from the early 2000s, and the silent, occasionally delivering a short and badass line to make women swoon. Now, he's cooler, has better hair, and feels more natural, without the cringe factor. This is a Leon who has gone through the same traumatic experiences as portrayed in Resident Evil 2 Remake. It feels like this is the Leon that I've seen evolve and go through severe PTSD to arrive at Resident Evil 4 Remake, where he truly understands and is serious about his mission. It makes these Remake versions feel more coherent with each other, rather than disjointed, and lets us see the character's development.
Some may worry that the hero image that Capcom is building for Leon will be tainted. However, I believe that the changes made to make Leon more human, rather than purely a badass from start to finish like in the original, give him more depth than ever. Don't worry, because he still knows how to crack jokes with his one-liners; it's just that the aspects of his character development have been elevated.
Because when you go through what the game has to offer, including the blood-soaked battles with zombies, Leon still knows how to bring us back to the game's fundamental value, which is entertainment. I couldn't help but laugh when Leon said, "Include it in the bill for next time when you fix stuff," right after going through a fiery ordeal. It's still something very sigma and sarcastically impressive in the face of danger.
The world of Resident Evil 4 is clearly horrifying, gruesome, grimy, and desperate, but somewhere in there are people who don't want to be monotonous. Capcom truly made me feel that this adventure was captivating until the very last minute and made me unable to predict where Capcom would let me relax and enjoy Leon's humorous moments after tense moments in the game. I believe that it's not the gameplay, world-building, or technical improvements of the game, but the construction of the story and characters that is the biggest challenge in making this Remake, and Capcom has truly excelled.
Furthermore, the other characters are also well-rounded. Of course, I can't reveal too much about them. But rest assured that when they appear, it will be very fitting within the game's narrative flow. If I had to mention one, then Ashley, the young lady accompanying Leon, would be the second most important character. There won't be as many cheeky remarks or bothering Leon to the point of becoming an icon in fans' hearts. She now fits the 2023 context better, is less cringe-worthy, less annoying, and much more useful than in the original. It also reduces the familiar child-like theme of rescuing a princess in a castle and makes the rescue mission more serious and dramatic.
Of course, Ashley is still a young woman in her twenties and will still exhibit the typical reactions of a frightened, vulnerable girl in a terrifying world. However, she becomes more reliable. Besides the usual screaming, she has learned to communicate and bond with Leon in a more subtle way. Their relationship won't involve excessive talking or monologues like many games released in recent years. They will converse more like normal people, and Capcom has added some small dialogues to help us see their character development. Fortunately, they won't disrupt the core values of the game or reduce its tension. Additionally, characters like Luis also feel like they'll gain more affection from fans because his performance has improved. Along with the added storyline, he also fits in better with the other characters in the narrative.
The game's villains also manage to convey their authority and fearfulness. I can't reveal more, but rest assured, their presence is impressive enough to be a significant contrast to the main character, Leon.
Of course, some details and sequences from the original version are no longer suitable for the remake, but I didn't feel bothered by their absence. On the contrary, after completing the game, I think the remake's presentation provides an overall better experience than the original because Capcom has shown real talent in controlling the pacing, storytelling, and character development more tightly and logically.
But the pinnacle doesn't stop there. The combat in the game is truly the best combat in any Resident Evil game, in my opinion. Everything from the 2005 version is still there—the roundhouse kicks, the moments of chaos and improvisation, and the quirky primitive weapons. And then there are the new mechanics that the Remake adds to elevate the experience. For example, Leon can now duck, which might sound mundane and ordinary, but it opens up many opportunities for evasion that were previously impossible. Dodging is one thing, and parrying attacks is even more enticing when using a durable knife. This knife can even be repaired, and you can collect various knives, so it's not bothersome at all.
Clearly, facing off against the Ganados is always a headache and more tense than ever. Therefore, flexible combat is the highlight. From the powerful shotgun blasting a few zombie enemies to using your limbs to push them back or the knife for stealthy takedowns from behind—it's always an unbelievably smooth control experience, even in the most chaotic situations. Yes, Leon's agility in combat makes even the direst situations pulse-pounding, and I still find the combat sensation fantastic.
The way enemies appear is also very diverse and not easy to predict because they require constant adaptation and tactical thinking, especially on higher difficulty levels. There will be times when you need to courageously rush into the enemy crowd and use everything you have rather than trying to save ammunition. Or if you're in a favorable elevated position, using remote mines strategically may be wiser, and with a scoped rifle, the rest becomes more manageable. In general, somehow, there will always be a new way for you to deploy combat against the dangerous zombie horde.
Of course, as badass as Leon is, the Ganados have become significantly smarter to match him. Not only do some enemies have clever designs and new attack patterns, but they can even influence how the enemy crowd moves. To sum it up, just when you feel like you're in control, there will always be surprises coming from the zombie horde. So, you shouldn't be complacent and must stay highly focused until it's safe.
I also noticed that the survival element has been pushed to the maximum in the Remake's gameplay. Managing resources has become more crucial than ever. Enemies tend to drop fewer bullets than in previous installments, and I often found myself in low ammo situations. This element alone added to the tension as I ventured into dangerous areas.
Ashley, our sidekick in the game, doesn't contribute much to combat. In fact, she no longer has her own health bar, so you don't have to worry about healing her. Instead, if Ashley gets injured, she becomes immobilized, and you need to clear enemies away from her before you can help her stand up. This motif is quite common in today's games and makes the game more forgiving compared to the original version. However, it also prevents the Remake from feeling as annoying as the original, as Ashley is no longer a helpless damsel in distress. She's better at avoiding enemies and assists Leon in opening up paths rather than being a naive, blond, and clumsy character. It also makes me believe that Leon is no longer her babysitter, or more accurately, the mission of protecting the president's daughter is deeply integrated into the combat system rather than being a separate experience from the rest of the game.
Additionally, how can we forget the boss fights in the game? Some of the boss battles have been completely reimagined in a way that is arguably better. Of course, there are a few that play it safe and don't completely redefine the experience, but from the beginning, the boss battles in the 2005 version were already quite intense. So, it's understandable that Capcom decided to enhance them rather than change them completely. From an aesthetic and level design perspective, Resident Evil 4 Remake knows exactly when to pay homage and when to innovate. Therefore, as someone who has played and loved the original, I feel that Capcom has done an excellent job in preserving the core values that the Remake needed.
Furthermore, the presentation of this game is truly outstanding. Resident Evil 4 Remake is a visually stunning game, as you'll want to spend a lot of time exploring and admiring the scenery. Capcom's RE Engine has recreated the environment with an astonishing level of detail, from the hanging animal bones to the dilapidated churches and eerie castles. Not to mention, these structures have beautifully designed interiors that immerse you even further in the Château-inspired setting. This is all without mentioning the outdoor environments, which are equally impressive, as they faithfully recreate the rural, ominous Spanish countryside. The sepia-toned, golden hues from the original have been dialed back in this remake, and Capcom has adjusted the colors to align with modern aesthetic standards. There are moments with deep, chilling shades of green to create a spine-tingling atmosphere, or richer, more saturated colors to emphasize the visceral, bloody scenes.
The music in the game remains as captivating as ever. It has been completely replaced compared to the original version, but the core essence remains intact. The instrumentation and tempo have been adapted to make the familiar melodies more engaging and suitable for contemporary music tastes. All of this contributes to an outstanding audio presentation.
Of course, no matter how high the pinnacle, the Remake version can never truly replace the original. However, this is not something to regret because the mission of the Remake is not to intentionally overthrow or surpass its predecessor. It serves as a valuable tribute and a way for Capcom to demonstrate how much they care about one of their important franchises.
I'm delighted with every moment I spent playing this game. It offers a compelling single-player experience from start to finish, filled with intense action, impressive performances, and top-tier level designs. Resident Evil 4 Remake clearly recreates almost perfectly what the original version conveyed and even elevates them in some way.
VERDICT
Therefore, the Remake version, while it may not create a groundbreaking influence like the original did 18 years ago, is here to make us understand why Resident Evil 4 is a legend. It will continue to follow in the footsteps of that legend, making it more accessible to future generations of gamers and helping them realize the true greatness of Resident Evil.
