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Resident Evil 4 Remake: A Streamlined Return to Horror, with a Few Missteps

2K View2023-09-30

Resident Evil 4

8.7

CinematicGoreDarkPsychological HorrorSurvivalZombiesActionRealistic

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The remake of "Resident Evil 4" opens remarkably, streamlining the original route to the village and guiding players to the initial major set-piece. The game commences with an extended battle in the town, where the constant buzz of chainsaws signals their owners' relentless pursuit of Leon. The Hardcore difficulty mode introduces a fresh challenge: escaping is no longer the supreme strategy it once was, as the ganados now actively chase the player and inflict significant damage. Another standout feature is the original death animations of Leon, with the animation team delivering some of the most gruesome, terrifying, and occasionally even darkly comical demise scenes the player has ever witnessed. The central combat mechanics still revolve around targeting specific locations for damage, such as shooting enemies in the legs or head to stagger them, followed by close-quarters attacks. An exciting new addition is the ability to evade with our knife, resulting in chaotic encounters where Leon miraculously emerges unscathed.

The moment-to-moment combat matches the quality of any "Resident Evil" game, with the remake initially staying true to the original game's structure and pacing, which is exemplary. However, as we depart from the village, everything worsens. Capcom made bold decisions concerning its original elements, often opting for their removal. Quick Time Events are entirely scrapped (although they still play a role in combat for dodging and even parrying), leaving a void in place of the grand, suspenseful moments now conspicuously absent.

"Resident Evil 4" has always embraced a slightly eccentric setting, a mysterious European landscape filled with peculiar contraptions, shooting galleries, medieval castles, and a series of bizarre and relentless experiments. An iconic sequence has been substituted with a considerably less thrilling and brief segment that fails to capture the grandeur of the original. These remake alterations become increasingly annoying as the game progresses to its second act, described best as timid. Whereas the original game consistently pushed boundaries, surprising players with fresh challenges, novel environments, and one-of-a-kind wild experiences, this game appears content with adhering to a more standard corridor shooter formula.

Despite the game's lack of ambition, the combat remains consistently impressive, outshining the sea of rifle bullets. However, the deeper we delve into the softer underbelly of the game, the more it conforms to conventions. "Resident Evil 4 Remake" excels as a third-person shooter but has sparked debates and controversy. While the original game was groundbreaking and genre-defining, this remake has faced criticism for its focus on the sequel rather than the original. It is evident in specific boss battles and intense encounters, where the threat level has been toned down to accommodate all players. Balance issues occasionally arise in these encounters, losing some of the mystery and terror.

Nonetheless, the core gameplay remains robust and essential, preserving the original's rhythm underneath it all. The B-movie script has seen significant improvements, and the narrative has been meticulously reworked, retaining just enough schlock factor to shine. Ashley, once a damsel in distress, now emerges as a more capable and straightforward companion, while Luis's return maintains his roguish charm while shedding his earlier suspicious persona. The "Resident Evil 4 Remake" isn't an independent game; instead, it reimagines one of the most exceptional games ever made. However, when it comes to the climax, the remake falls short. If the original felt expansive, this iteration feels confined, and the game becomes increasingly linear without breaking free from it. Much of these criticisms fade into the background when players fight for survival with unwavering determination, unleashing a torrent of body parts and teeth through precise attacks and incredible gunfire.

Beyond the impressive core action, the "Resident Evil 4 Remake" exhibits a sense of having run out of fresh ideas and discarding many elements that contributed to the original version's greatness without a clear replacement strategy. "Resident Evil 4" revolutionized third-person action, and since its release, fans have eagerly awaited a game that could match its impact. However, the "Resident Evil 4 Remake" doesn't serve as a successor to the original but as a tribute. It's a third-person action game that draws too heavily from what followed it rather than what initially sparked the franchise.