Review Resident Evil 4 Remake - Anidraw

Review Resident Evil 4 Remake

"Don't change something that has proven successful in the market" seems to be a reasonable marketing strategy for any product. Why should a company, which is clearly reaping significant profits from a product that sells well in the market, replace it with a new formula? However, in some cases within the gaming industry, this statement doesn't hold true. There are quite a few developers out there who are daring enough to introduce a new installment in a franchise, disregarding all the elements that made the previous installments successful. One of the best examples? Capcom's Resident Evil 4.

No longer facing the zombies introduced in the previous three main installments, a changed camera system to an over-the-shoulder perspective, and a stronger action-oriented flavor might have seemed like a nightmare for the fourth installment bearing the Resident Evil name. But who would have thought that Capcom's revolution for the game launching on GameCube for the first time would lead to tremendous success? It not only became popular and sold incredibly well but also evolved into a legendary game that set a standard for other popular games to follow. And crazier yet? Capcom intends to remake it.

The confirmation of the remake process for Resident Evil 4 naturally evokes both hopes and concerns at the same time. For a series that could be considered a "miracle" at the outset due to genuinely significant formula changes, Capcom undoubtedly has a weighty responsibility and task to ensure that the remake process can capture the same allure. This means ensuring that the final product at least doesn't tarnish the legacy of quality and history offered by the original series. The good news? The opposite is actually happening.

So, what does Resident Evil 4 Remake truly offer? Why do we call it a series that successfully repeats a miracle? This review will delve deeper to provide you with the answers.

Plot

Review Resident Evil 4 Remake

Capcom's offered remake process doesn't substantially alter the storyline from the original series. You will encounter sequences that are added or subtracted, with slightly different fates for Leon and supporting characters. However, ultimately, the overarching story will arrive at the same destination as the original version.

The story still revolves around the actions of Leon S. Kennedy who, after the events in Raccoon City, is now tasked with locating and rescuing the daughter of the President of the United States, named Ashley Graham. Ashley is believed to be missing in a European village which, as it turns out, harbors an unforeseen horror that Leon hadn't predicted. Instead of merely engaging in farming and livestock, the villagers have a hobby of capturing humans and burning them like bonfires in the middle of the village. Leon, struggling to save himself, discovers that each villager requires several rounds of ammunition and well-aimed kicks to be defeated.

The deeper investigation leads Leon to uncover a cult-like religious organization called Los Illuminados, which employs a parasite known as Las Plagas to enhance individuals beyond normal human limits. For reasons unknown, this organization led by a preacher named Saddler displays a keen interest in Ashley. The search forces Leon to overcome a slew of nearly implausible obstacles, ranging from tentacle-headed humanoids and large trolls to giant fish and his former mentor, who has aligned with Los Illuminados.

So, what actually unfolds? Can Leon rescue Ashley? What is the source of Las Plagas? Why is Ashley so crucial within Los Illuminados' plans? All these answers await you as you engage with Resident Evil 4 Remake.

Capcom's journey with the remake of Resident Evil 4 fortunately doesn't solely revolve around updating the visual aspects. With the power of the RE Engine, which has consistently dazzled in presentation and performance, you encounter a Resident Evil 4 installment that's now deserving of being compared to recent game releases, rather than merely being a HD Remaster like Capcom's earlier treatment of the original series. This extends to changes in character models, with Leon reflecting the style from the Resident Evil 2 Remake and Ashley, following the established Capcom remake pattern, also being designed based on the original human model for a more realistic feel.

If there's one thing Capcom has achieved with this remake series, it's creating a sensation that's both familiar and refreshingly new. For iconic moments that are irreplaceable and have grown to define the original Resident Evil 4, Capcom has managed to present and preserve them effectively. Simultaneously, they've made numerous alterations—additions, subtractions, and modifications to pre-existing content—to deliver a remarkably fresh experience, even for gamers who have completed the original Resident Evil 4 countless times. Everything is built with a sense of interconnected world, complete with content that encourages exploration rather than linear progression.

We also appreciate Capcom's decision not to strip away the "fun" essence that the original series offers. There was some concern that they might lean more toward the realistic sensations akin to what RE 2 Remake initially presented. However, in the end, you still encounter a wildly unrealistic adventure that's not remotely grounded in physics or real-world possibilities. Jumping from a hovering train into a safer area? Blocking a chainsaw attack with a small knife? Finding a chicken capable of laying golden eggs? Rest assured, these peculiarities and "cool" factors can still be found in Resident Evil 4 Remake.

The variety of changes presented by Capcom in this Remake series—additions, subtractions, and modifications—naturally instills a fear that it might feel like a new and unfamiliar series, particularly for veterans of the original. The good news? During our dozen-hour playthrough of the first run, that sensation simply doesn't arise. Instead, what prevails in the heart is praise for the new sequences they've added and the diverse areas that now provide extra incentive for exploration. Moreover, your combat actions will consistently remain intense due to approaching hordes and new enemy types ready to confront you. The altered locations also hold the same allure, complete with new dramatic cut-scenes that enrich the experience.

So, how about the audio aspect itself? As expected from a survival horror game, building on what they achieved in Resident Evil 2 Remake, the meticulously detailed audio quality effectively contributes to the atmosphere of certain locations, particularly those shrouded in silence, making them feel eerie. Transitioning to new areas and hearing the muttering of village inhabitants from who-knows-where or simply catching the loud revving of a chainsaw drawing near instantly pumps your adrenaline, triggering a heightened sense of alertness. As for voice acting? We find it to be competently executed. Thankfully, characters like Leon retain a touch of humor through comments thrown into various situations. You also won't have to deal with the constant and bothersome screams from Ashley as you did in the original series.

Similar to the original series, Resident Evil 4 Remake is positioned as a third-person "action" shooter with a comfortable over-the-shoulder camera. Using a modern control scheme, aiming your firearm slightly zooms in for more effective shooting. If you have a scope on a specific weapon, this action will naturally provide the appropriate scope-based zoom effect. As you progress through the game, Leon will be equipped with a broader range of heavier and more deadly firearm variants that will undoubtedly aid you on your journey.

Gameplay

Review Resident Evil 4 Remake

If there's one new and distinct aspect in terms of gameplay compared to the original series, it's that Resident Evil 4 Remake assigns a significant role to the knife you possess and utilize. This comprises a standard Combat Knife and various other variants you can discover along the way. The knife is no longer solely reserved for attacking when ammunition is scarce; now, it can be used to parry enemy attacks if you successfully press the block button at the right moment. This facilitates stealthy backstabbing actions against foes, also available in the Remake for less risky gameplay sessions. Each knife has its own level of durability, so you can't consistently rely on it. For specific knives, like the Combat Knife, you can repair their durability using in-game currency. Knife durability will also decrease if you use it to break free from an enemy's grasp.

By combining both the pistol for offense and the versatile knife for defense, you'll face a variety of challenges presented by Resident Evil 4 Remake, which naturally includes an array of new bosses and mini-bosses to conquer. Fortunately, at least in the standard difficulty mode, leaning more toward action than survival horror, you're provided ample resources to utilize—ranging from healing items and ammunition to grenades. Following the pattern of recent main series releases, Resident Evil 4 Remake also incorporates a crafting system.

Indeed, instead of bullets specifically for the weapon you're using (which, fortunately, becomes a prioritized drop by the game), you'll also acquire various distinct resources such as Gunpowder and items named Resource (S) and (L). When accumulated in certain quantities, you can instantly craft them into different items, particularly ammunition. You can also use these resources to create various types of grenades—both flash and explosive—each serving different purposes. The crafting process is straightforward, involving choosing from a list, which simultaneously presents the amount of material you've gathered and need for each item.

Of course, your actions this time are accompanied by the iconic character – The Merchant, who has returned with a similar role, offering you the opportunity to buy and sell weapons and resources you need. However, it's no longer just one currency; The Merchant now accepts two types of currency—Pesetas and Spinels. Pesetas can be obtained from various sources, whether from breaking barrels, enemies you defeat, or selling treasures you find. With the Pesetas in hand, you can purchase new weapons, healing items, upgrade your existing weapons to make them more effective, or simply buy parts for them. The Merchant also occasionally offers discounts and bonuses at certain moments to entice you into buying specific weapons or items. From this system, Resident Evil 4 Remake introduces an engaging new aspect.

Unlike in the original series where all the treasures you find are straightforward and can be sold for a consistent value, Resident Evil 4 Remake now presents you with an "option" that tests your patience. Why? Because some treasures you find will now have gem slots that can be filled with separate gem items you acquire throughout your journey.

Inserting gems into all these treasure slots will cause their selling value to dramatically jump, sometimes making it difficult to sell them "naked." What's even more interesting? It's not always the same; Resident Evil 4 Remake also introduces a gem combination system involving various colors and shapes that affect how much their selling value increases. For those who want to maximize profit, sometimes it's not just about ensuring you have enough gems to fill the treasure slots, but also waiting for the best color combination. This system consistently creates situations where you have to decide whether to sell the treasure now or later, especially when you're pressed for money and need it quickly.

The second currency required by The Merchant is called Spinel, which, aside from being obtained in limited quantities through exploration, is also a reward for Resident Evil 4 Remake's new system – Side Quests. That's right, you're no longer confined to the mission of rescuing Ashley from the clutches of the monstrous cult. Leon can now complete other side tasks. These side quests are usually presented in the form of blue pamphlets easily found at various exploration points. They'll ask you to perform tasks ranging from simple to challenging, such as eradicating rats, catching fish, killing snakes, shooting scattered blue medallions, and eliminating special monsters that are stronger and deadlier than the typical enemies you encounter. Offering varying amounts of Spinel as rewards, you can exchange this currency for special items from The Merchant that can't be purchased with regular Pesetas.

A new system introduced by Resident Evil 4 Remake also affects an element you never predicted: your inventory bag. Remember the bag that always demanded your attention to be meticulously organized to accommodate these new items? It now serves a different purpose. This series introduces a variety of bag variants for you to choose and use. The size of the bag consistently depends on the upgrades you've purchased, but each differently colored bag now has its own effect. Some bags increase the likelihood of pistol bullets dropping as loot, while others prioritize Resource (L). This probability will undoubtedly alter your gameplay style or, at the very least, the choice of your preferred weapon in the future.

Still not enough? There's another new system called Charms, and obtaining them is based on a gacha system. Using special coins you can acquire by completing the mini-game "Shooting Range" with the best score you can achieve at the designated spot provided by The Merchant, you're required to insert three types of these coins into a available gacha machine. Depending on the combination and your luck, you can obtain charms with varying rarity levels. You can pair at least three different charms in your case, which will automatically provide specific effects during your gameplay. There are charms that can make the healing effect of your Green Herb more effective, increase your running speed, or even enhance the chances of obtaining extra ammo when crafting. What's interesting is that it's not entirely based on gacha; the likelihood of obtaining certain charms is also determined by the combination of Gold and Silver coins you use.

Thus, the rest of your gameplay will naturally revolve around solving various puzzles, some of which are included to impede your progress in the main story. The good news? Almost all of these puzzles are quite straightforward as long as you remain attentive. Some require visual hints with answers usually clearly displayed around the area, while others demand logic and a bit of trial and error, and still, others require you to establish connections. By sacrificing a bit of Spinel to buy a map from The Merchant, you can make the information offered by your Map more effective, including now displaying icons indicating which treasures you haven't collected yet, which ones are still locked, or require a specific key to obtain. Remember, these loot items aren't always in the form of chests; they also come in the shape of iron lanterns that need to be shot down first.

Offering a familiar sensation yet with many new elements that keep things fresh, your adventure with Resident Evil 4 Remake revolves around gathering various existing resources, utilizing them effectively, enhancing your weapons, and preparing yourself not only for exploration but also for inevitable events that will demand you to fight against hordes of enemies in large numbers or massive bosses that will consume your ammunition. Different strategies are, of course, required for higher difficulty levels.

If you were to ask many veteran players of the original Resident Evil 4 about the most annoying part of their gameplay experience, at least in their own encounters, the name Ashley would likely come up a few times. This character you're meant to rescue in the story is translated into gameplay, where in many sections of the game, she will continuously follow your actions. The game naturally ends if Ashley, who has her own HP bar, is captured or killed by enemies.

The good news? Capcom has at least made Ashley in Resident Evil 4 Remake much more manageable. You now have numerous options to ensure her safety. For example, you can now issue her commands with two variants: "close" and "distant," using just one button. "Close" will make Ashley move as close to you as possible, making her more effective when you're trying to flee from pursuing enemies or when surrounded. "Distant" will make Ashley maintain a distance behind you, making her effective in ensuring she doesn't disrupt your frontline shooting actions. Several locations with battles against hordes also provide specific hiding spots for Ashley, so she doesn't become a nuisance. A solid option indeed.

In this iteration, Ashley also does not have an HP bar, so you don't have to worry as much about encountering repeated Game Over screens because of her. If she ends up being captured and kidnapped by enemies, a red bar appears to show the kidnapper's movement speed before Ashley disappears, and you fail as her bodyguard. When brutally attacked by enemies, Ashley falls into an "Incapacitated" mode instead of dying outright. By pressing a specific button, you can revive her, and she'll be back with you, good as new. The best part? Ashley will automatically recover from the "Incapacitated" state if she doesn't receive further damage for a certain period, which is quite helpful.

However, the AI for Ashley in this iteration is still far from perfect. In one level section where you have to navigate the onslaught of explosions from catapults coming at you from all directions, Ashley's "close" or "distant" positions often place her within the blast radius of the catapult throws, causing her to consistently fall into the "Incapacitated" mode due to the frequent intervals. Even in the "distant" AI position, she lacks the awareness to distance herself even a bit from Leon, who's the target of the throws, and she moves closer when the situation is safer. She follows your orders like a stubborn ox without a hint of intelligence.

It's clear that Capcom worked hard to ensure the escort mission with Ashley, which had become a meme, became a more tolerable concept in Resident Evil 4 Remake. It has to be acknowledged that they executed this quite well and balanced. Like in the original game but with a different concept, there will be a session where you fully control Ashley without any firearms, armed only with a lantern that can momentarily stop enemies with classic armor. Gameplay is centered around solving puzzles while surviving. During exploration, you can also have Ashley reach high places and access areas you can't on your own, making her useful.

The birth and success that Capcom achieved with Resident Evil 4 when it was released in 2005 must be acknowledged as a "miracle." We're talking about a game that completely overhauled the formula that had made it successful, injecting something that turned out to be revolutionary, and culminating in a fantastically built action survival horror game. Regardless of the wild and nonsensical elements it brings, especially when Leon is running from a giant stone mecha powered by who knows what, the overall experience it offers is enjoyable and addictive.

Similar to the challenge Square Enix faced with Final Fantasy VII, Resident Evil 4 is a "legend" in Capcom's game library from the past. Many gamers grew up with it and fell in love with the revolutionary elements it offered, which were even imitated by games released afterward. When the "Remake" project was announced, there was ample room for criticism, especially considering Capcom's handling of Resident Evil 3 Remake, which was imperfect. The good news? As if a miracle repeated, Resident Evil 4 Remake turns out to be fantastic.

As discussed before, there's a high appreciation for Capcom's ability to blend and craft a remake series that feels both familiar and refreshing simultaneously. The iconic elements that defined the original series are preserved and become fan-service for veteran gamers. Meanwhile, it offers numerous new aspects, from area design, different locations, enemy variations, to solutions for various puzzles. The enjoyable and addictive experience from the original series returns with a fresh and equally delightful and addictive sensation in this Remake.

Moreover, some changes introduced provide better context for the overall Resident Evil story itself. You can learn about the background of Luis, who in the original series became a side character with minimal role. Here, Luis has his own story of redemption that transforms him into a deserving hero. The same holds true for Ashley, as Capcom has altered her character. She is not just a damsel in distress burdening you anymore; she's more reliable when you venture together and has a greater role and purpose in the story. A change that deserves to be welcomed with open arms.

One of the fantastic things that Capcom managed to retain is the replayability from the original series in this Remake. Even though it has a different style, Resident Evil 4 Remake still offers the concept of New Game + with higher difficulty levels for those seeking a challenge. Furthermore, there are unique firearms that can be pursued and unlocked if you manage to complete a playthrough within a certain time. With such an enjoyable experience, this game won't struggle to draw you back in.

Conclusion

Capcom didn't just work wonders back in 2005; they've managed to do it again with Resident Evil 4 Remake in 2023. It's not just about the impressive modernization of visuals using the RE Engine. They've crafted a gaming experience that feels both familiar and fresh at the same time for veteran gamers, while maintaining the same enjoyable, tense, and addictive sensations for newcomers. All of this is wrapped in a variety of mechanics that also encourage exploration, with some segments featuring larger and more open levels. The best part? The frustration of escorting Ashley, which used to be a core aspect of the game, is now absent.

However, unfortunately, this doesn't mean the game is flawless. We don't have many complaints about the overall experience, but there's one aspect that can be quite bothersome, especially on consoles – Leon's movement, which at times feels heavy and sluggish. In various situations when you're under attack, there are button prompts that allow you to parry with a knife or perform evasive rolls to avoid damage. However, not all attacks, especially those from bosses, provide this option. Many swift area attacks require you to quickly move left and right while running, but often, Leon's movement feels hindered by its sluggishness. For example, the battle against Salazar is a real challenge on console, as you need to move and constantly look up to locate the monster's position.

Nevertheless, beyond this drawback, Resident Evil 4 Remake manages to be a fantastic action game with survival horror elements that we wholeheartedly recommend. Our highest praise? We wouldn't mind if, just like the original series, you'll find a re-release of Resident Evil 4 Remake Remastered in the future on PlayStation 6, Nintendo Switch 2, or any next-gen Xbox, or even one more generation after that. We're confident it will continue to attract new gamers who will share the same sentiment.