I always turn to the years of the original Xbox, PS2 and GameCube when the topic of evolving video games comes up. Back then, not much was known about what worked and what stuck, so it gave game devs the freedom to experiment and explore with wacky stuff. There wasn’t a set formula that companies have today where you can just release a new grayscale game where you play as Shooty McGee and gun down communists, so things were a lot more creative back then. Resident Evil 4, released in 2005, was one of the most revolutionary games and to this day, remains as a staple in gamers’ brains.

   Capcom started to churn out remakes of their older games way back in 2002 with the remake of the original simply titled Resident Evil. It featured updated graphics and better voice acting to name a few things, with outdated and tedious gameplay still remaining. Although it is very hard to find motivation to play the title because of its constant need to always be thinking about what to carry around, where to go, and the dreaded door opening cutscenes, it was truly the start of a glorious series that is still near and dear to people’s hearts. 

   Fast forward to 2019, and the Resident Evil 2 remake found its way onto shelves, featuring an entirely new perspective, switching from a bird’s eye view and fixed camera angles to an over the shoulder view with a more free camera. Then came along the Resident Evil 3 remake in 2020, to not as good of a reception due to its very short length, but it was still admittedly a huge upgrade from the graphics of the PSone version. When the RE3 remake dropped, later on in the year we were getting some rumors of the beloved Resident Evil 4 remake, and surely enough, on March 24th, we had it. 

   Let me start by saying I, personally, loved the original game. It had a great story, engaging gameplay, and a memorable protagonist. But let’s be frank, the graphics were outdated and some of the gameplay mechanics were clunky.

   The Resident Evil 4 remake features improved graphics, new animation, and high-quality sound effects that create a more immersive atmosphere. The gameplay mechanics have also been altered to make it more accessible for modern gamers while still retaining the classic feel of the original game. There’s even an option to switch between the original and remake’s graphics, which was an amazing touch they did not need to include, but shows how passionate Capcom is for this series and its fans.

   One of the most significant changes is the control scheme, which has been updated to make it easier to navigate and aim during combat. The inventory system has also been improved, making it more intuitive to manage your weapons and items. I swear, it is so fun to just sit on a pause screen and rearrange your medical items, ammo and weapons to make it all neat and tidy in there. Then again, I’m as easily entertained as a baby getting car keys jingled in its face.

   It’s not just the visuals and controls that make this remake spectacular though, as the game’s puzzles have been revamped to be more challenging and exciting as well. The enemies have also been updated to be more freakier looking and reasonably formidable as well. The game is just as much fun – if not more – than the original.

   The storyline remains the same, with players taking on the role of special agent Leon S. Kennedy as he investigates the disappearance of the President’s daughter, Ashley Graham. He ends up discovering a religious cult is behind the kidnapping, and he must fight his way through the hordes of enemies to get to the bottom of the conspiracy. 

   Something that I will miss is the dialogue, though. Leon and others do get a few cuts in, but it’s usually fast paced and half of the time my brain can’t even process what just happened fast enough. In an attempt to preserve a classic exchange of words with Leon and the soon-to-be fully introduced Luis Sera, they had their original back-and-forth within 4 seconds. Not very pleasant and I would have felt better if it was cut entirely. But while the silly dialogue and cheesy voice acting of the original game is missed, the improvements more than make up for it. Even if you’ve never played the original Resident Evil 4, the remake is a must-play.

   So, if you’re looking for a thrilling and immersive gaming experience, the Resident Evil 4 remake is definitely worth your time. Just be prepared for some jump scares and tense moments. It’s a terror ride that is sure to keep you at the edge of your seat. Who knows, maybe one day we’ll be talking  about a Resident Evil 4 remastered remake. Until then, however, dive into this experience; you won’t regret it.