Resident Evil 4 is one of the best remakes ever. And I don’t say that lightly.
I was initially skeptical about this new version when it was announced. The original Resident Evil 4 may be dated in mechanics, but I consider it a perfect title. This is not a talk about nostalgia either. Resident Evil 4 has been re-released so many times that it is still fresh in my mind. I didn’t think a remake could match it – but here I am, writing just that. Resident Evil 4 remake is incredible.
I’m still playing through the Resident Evil 4 remake, so I’m not ready to declare that it’s better than the original yet. But based on my time with him so far, I can confidently say that Capcom has made a great Resident Evil remake. It’s even better than Resident Evil 2 – which I previously considered the best remake of all time.
There’s a reason we gave Capcom recent glowing praises in our Resident Evil 4 review. It’s just that good! Below, I’ll break down why Resident Evil 4 is currently my favorite remake of all time and one of the best games of 2023.
Familiar yet new
Resident Evil 4 Remake doesn’t just spray a new layer of textures over the original. Like the Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3 remakes, it was built from the ground up with a new game engine. Everything from the narration, gameplay mechanics, voice acting, level design, and more has been reworked and redesigned. Capcom clearly used the original as inspiration and then set out to create something new.
Being able to move while shooting feels natural and doesn’t make the game any less intimidating. I still feel like I’m playing Resident Evil, not Call of Duty.
This mixture of the new and the familiar is evident right from the jump. As before, protagonist Leon Kennedy rides in the back of a police car and speaks with the officers who escort him to the Spanish village where the majority of the game takes place. It’s the same scene as the original, only running on a modern engine and featuring new dialogue. I knew all the beats this scene was going to hit, but not how it would play in this version.
This was also true when I entered the village. At a cursory glance, the overall layout and interiors of the building looked the same, but the new paths and item locations gave me new things to explore. Things are mostly the same, just rearranged.
Like the graphics, the gameplay mechanics received an overhaul over the original. This was the aspect I was most concerned about because I still think the original gameplay is quite balanced. Sure, you can’t move and shoot at the same time, but the game is designed around that limitation. The ability to move and shoot will completely change the course of the game and make it even more action-focused than it already was. Boy, was I wrong!
Being able to move while shooting feels natural and doesn’t make the game any less intimidating. This aspect was also true of the previous two Resident Evil installments. I still feel like I’m playing Resident Evil, not Call of Duty. Furthermore, new mechanics like crouching and the ability to stealthily kill enemies don’t feel out of place. The action sequences run faster but the overall pace isn’t let down.
Finally, the Resident Evil 4 remake has a darker tone than the original. Leon still sheds the occasional liner, but not as often as before. Dialogue and voice acting are not encouraging. This is interesting considering that the original Resident Evil 4 was the most mature in the series when it was released. The remake still has some silly moments but they aren’t too plentiful.
Terrifyingly beautiful
The Resident Evil 4 remake runs on Capcom’s RE Engine, the same game engine used in the previous two remakes – along with Resident Evil 7 and Resident Evil Village. All of these games are visually stunning, so it’s no surprise that Resident Evil 4 is a feast for the eyes.
Detailed characters and locations, along with mood lighting and environmental effects draw a person into the game world. Even as I fought off the crazy villagers, I couldn’t help but marvel at the visuals.
This is impressive considering that Resident Evil 4 is a last generation game at its core. It might have looked better if it was only developed for the current generation PS5 and Xbox Series X, but I’m not complaining. Resident Evil 4 is one of the best games you will find.
Resident Evil 4 remake is a winner across the board. Even if it’s not a remake of a beloved classic, it’ll still be able to hold up against modern games. I am glad my initial skepticism towards this title was unfounded. This is a exemplary remake that sets a new standard for how old titles can be brought to life.
Even as someone tired of the flood of remakes seen in recent years, I have to commend Resident Evil 4 for delivering the goods. I think it will become as classic as its original incarnation. And the best part is that the new Resident Evil 4 does not replace the old one because the latter is available on modern consoles.
If you’ve never played Resident Evil 4, I suggest playing the original and then playing the remake. This will give you a better appreciation of the work that went into the latter. I think you’ll find Resident Evil 4 one of the best games of the year – remake or otherwise.
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