When it comes to the “Resident Evil” franchise, “Resident Evil 4” is regarded as the best game in the series and one of the best games ever. However, it’s strange how it has maintained this reputation with the numerous problems it has.
Recently, Capcom has remade the first, second, and third game, all of which received critical acclaim. “Resident Evil 4” has been long overdue for a remake, and now that it’s out, it can be happily stated that “Resident Evil 4 Remake” is not only better than its predecessor, but redefines what a remake is.
The story and setting remain the same. It’s been six years since the T-Virus outbreak in Raccoon City. You play as Leon Kennedy after he becomes a U.S. government agent who is tasked to locate the president’s daughter, Ashley Graham, in a rural Spanish village. On arrival, Leon realizes the whole area has fallen victim to a parasite called “Plaga,” which doesn’t make the mission easier.
What’s notable about the remake is how it’s a more mature game than the original. It was the fourth game where “Resident Evil” tilted towards action rather than horror. That’s been fixed; this remake is much darker in its environments to present a horrifying front. Everything is serious, especially characters like Ashley and Ramon Salazar. This can also be said for dialogue. Some one-liners from the original have not aged well. Now, dialogue tells the story without making you cringe (except for most of Luis’ lines).
Leon himself is an example of how to develop evolution in a sequel. When everyone last saw Leon in “Resident Evil 2,” he was new to combat and put in a sink-or-swim situation. Players can see Leon’s military training in how he acts and moves.
Following the past two remakes’ footsteps, “4 Remake” retains the third-person view and loses the tank-controls of the original that made shooting painful. The one thing it keeps the same is the greatness of combat, while adding some gross-out gore. Shoot an incoming enemy in the leg to trip them, and you can land a devastating kick. On the other hand, shooting TNT in an enemy’s hand could take out surrounding enemies. Impacts are realistic and it makes you think before shooting.
Your trusty knife is more important this time around. It’s still used for close quarters, triggering bear traps, and saving your life in a disgusting game of Two-Hand Touch. Leon is now able to parry attacks from enemies with melee weapons or other nasty tricks. The knife also opens up a stealthy play-style, but it takes patience. You can crouch and sneak up on enemies to conserve ammo. While it’s a welcome addition, it’s just not that fun. Everything comes at a price due to the knife’s durability, though.
It’s also entertaining to see how things have been upgraded from the original. The game looks phenomenal, but it’s expanded. You interact more with Luis and learn his backstory; the mine cart ride is no longer just claustrophobic fighting; and Ashley’s section makes you feel truly weak without Leon nearby. The best change overall: no quick-time events that instantly kill Leon.
If anything is worth seeing through, it’s the boss fights. “Resident Evil 4” contained some of the greatest bosses in gaming history, and they’re nastier here. Del Lago’s fight is chaotic with its erratic swimming pattern; Ramon Salazar is no longer a sitting duck; and Jack Krauser’s fight stays difficult with its twist of how it’s better to use your knife despite his intense speed.
All of this sets up a highly intense thrill ride. It’s more difficult than the original, and that’s how it should feel. This is survival horror at its most vicious state: with the safety off. You will die a lot. You will run dry of ammo many times. Although, never is it unfair.
“Resident Evil 4 Remake” will go down as one of the best games of this decade, and possibly of all time. Just like “2 Remake,” it’s a masterpiece of redesigning a beloved world to bring it up to modern standards. Now, the only challenges that remain are remaking the notorious fifth and sixth games. Judging from this title, we should be able to put faith in Capcom when it comes to those tasks.
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