After the huge success of 2019’s Resident Evil 2 remake, it was a no-brainer for Capcom to reinvigorate the old game in a form more suited to modern audiences. But with each step forward, the gap between past and present quality becomes less noticeable. And now we’ve finally reached the progenitor of the successful over-the-shoulder Resi playstyle. It’s hard to imagine how much a previous classic could be improved beyond a repaint, but from what I’ve played with Resident Evil 4 so far, Capcom has made his RE2 remake-style gigantic It doesn’t seem to care much about creating a nice leap. Instead, it seems more focused on making his one of the greatest games of all time even better.
Everything felt incredibly familiar and unsettlingly different during my play session, which started at the beginning of the game and ended shortly after the onslaught of villagers. However, improvements in graphics and design have made the place more livable, claustrophobic, and unforgettable to explore. I found myself nervously tiptoeing around every nook and cranny in hopes of having sex.
Much like 2002’s Resident Evil Remake, the elements were strategically orchestrated to subvert my expectations. A highlight of the original remake was an early faux pas that preyed on fans’ memories of dogs crashing through windows. The Resident Evil 4 remake experienced similar twists in a short playthrough, one of which he also involved dogs.
Fans of the original will fondly recall the ill-fated dog trapped in a bear trap in the first chapter and how the game offered the option to free the dog. When, you may remember him returning triumphantly (if you saved him). This time the dog is still there, but already dead. Did I miss him? Or was this a symbol of this remake’s notable shift toward darker tones? Either way, this brief moment laid the groundwork for the game.Resident Evil 4 locations do It’s in combat, but feels incredibly familiar. As mentioned, Capcom recreated the classic library based on ideas pioneered in Resident Evil 4, so it was inevitable that this game would be the most relatable. Leon’s feel is what you’d expect and retains some of the original’s iconic moves. It took only a few seconds for me to instinctively start shooting kneecaps, lining up roundhouse kicks, and knocking down anyone nearby.
That’s not to say combat doesn’t contain new content, though. Beyond the expected updates to the moveable crosshairs (a staple of the genre now, but not allowed in the original) there’s also some light stealth gameplay. It wasn’t specifically advertised in the tutorials or anything, but the addition of the crouch button allows players to quietly roam villages and gather resources before the onslaught begins, thus avoiding the attention of nearby Garnados. Revealed. You can also use your trusty knife to perform stealth attacks from behind on unsuspecting locals. But it’s great to have that variety.
Leon also has a light parry system with his knife that allows him to resist or deflect attacks with a well-timed button press. , came in handy when confronted head-on by Dr. Salavador, a chainsaw-wielding, burlap-bag-wearing lunatic. In no time, not only was I able to resist the chainsaw’s full power, but the distraction shut down his tool for a few seconds and opened a window for me to do it.
Those familiar with the original Resident Evil 4’s first village attack will know what to expect here. The gaps between homes become smaller, the area becomes smaller and overwhelmed in the best possible way. Dr. Salavador can now destroy wooden structures to block paths. Enemies will flank you from every corner, grabbing and embracing you from behind, and attacking from the front with his companion Galnados. Every second and decision felt like it mattered as I desperately wiggled through the herd trying to survive.
Despite our familiarity with the scene, there were still many surprises, especially considering that many moments could easily be missed depending on the strategy. Gone (thanks to the floor collapsing under my feet). A previously upset cow can now take action in case the barn unfortunately catches fire. Despite being initially upset by the flaming cows passing by, I can’t say it was useless when it came to managing Garnald by plowing some cows while he was on fire.
As with the combat, Resident Evil 2’s rookie cop-turned-government agent Leon is familiar yet modern. He seems intimidated by the situation and approaches it cautiously. This makes the fearless, sassy, superhero-like bravado of the original more grounded. That being said, the guy still has no problem rolling forward out the second story window and spitting cheesy lines (yes, the bingo line is still there!). But the way he interacts with people, especially Hannigan, feels much more grounded in reality, at least from my slight taste for games.
It’s always been difficult for new games in the series to go through exactly the same technological leap as Resident Evil 2 Remake. But so far, Capcom seems to be making smart choices about what to iterate on in Resident Evil 4. It feels like we’re trying to find the perfect balance between tribute and innovation.
Dale Driver is IGN’s UK Video Lead, and rumor has it that Dr. Salavador may have taken his pants off when he first arrived. Follow him on Twitter and be totally bored. @_daledriver.
