Reimagining the classic RE4 exceeds expectations and becomes the definitive version of Leon and Ashley’s adventure
Develop a remake of Resident Evil 4 it wasn’t the easiest mission for the capcom. The original game, from 2005, defined what third-person action games would be from then on, and unlike Resident Evil 2, which paved the way for franchise remakes, it has aged well enough to earn just generation after generation remasters.
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Resident Evil 4 was a true milestone in the gaming industry and forever changed how the franchise would be viewed. Capcom had on their hands a game way ahead of its time and it was no wonder that the producer had taken so long to revisit, for real, the game.
Resident Evil 4 remake is a masterpiece. Seeing Leon S. Kennedy, Ashley Graham and all the other characters from almost twenty years ago recreated on current generation machines is something that really impresses, both for the beautiful graphics and the care taken in the design of each of them, and for the mechanics modernized.
Leon now has much smoother movement. The Special Agent is no longer tethered to the ground while aiming at his enemies – for the more nostalgic you can use the same ‘tank’ controller from the original game – and can freely switch between up to eight different loadouts, be it grenades, crossbows or firearms, through quick access. Every strike or lunge feels weighted down, and while these mechanics make the game feel current, they don’t make it any easier.
Enemies are more varied and intelligent, and can easily overwhelm Leon and Ashley. Resident Evil 4 forces the player to always be aware of his surroundings and charges dearly for any oversight. Taking care of Ashley is also a new challenge: the daughter of the President of the United States no longer has a health bar, which is great news, but now she is always close to Leon and cannot stay protected in one place while the his faithful squire paves the way alone.
This makes it more difficult to get her to safety, but also maintains the urgency to defend her. Leon can ask Ashley to always stay one step behind him or step away for a few moments at the touch of a single button, leaving it up to the player to choose how best to protect her.
By the way, Ashley is completely different from the girl seen in the original game. She’s more mature, she shows her fear of her more realistically, and is able to maintain genuine dialogue with Leon, ranging from outbursts to uncommitted banter amidst the chaos of the adventure. Also, the young lady is much more useful as a helper.
Other welcome changes are the reduction in the number of Quick Time events and the ability to deflect knife attacks. Although they are still present in some battles, the QTEs have been completely reworked to make the interaction much more dynamic, almost organic. Defense with the knife, on the other hand, gives Leon more options against the Ganados: defending an attack at the right time opens the guard to one of the protagonist’s signature kicks, which helps save ammo – although you have to be aware of the knife’s durability and fix it from time to time.
To do so, just pay a small amount to the iconic Merchant of Resident Evil 4. The mysterious merchant appears at multiple points throughout the game and also sells weapons, buys valuable items and is responsible for essential improvements for a smoother progression, with the interactions always punctuated by his surprising phrases. It is no coincidence that the seller is one of the most charismatic characters in the entire franchise.
The game features a gallery of challenging and fun bosses, which require very different approaches. some of them have undergone significant changes and have become much more challenging than in the original game, leaving victories with an even more special flavor.
Resident Evil 4 Remake is perhaps the best of the entire series in terms of storytelling. The story has undergone minor changes, but nothing too drastic. The game takes place six years after the Raccoon City disaster and features a more experienced Leon, reporting directly to the President of the United States. Your mission is to rescue Ashley, who has been kidnapped by a mysterious cult and is in an isolated European village.
This is just the backdrop for a tangled storyline full of secrets that keeps a superb pace. The first chapters of the remake are a bit slow, but soon the action takes over the game and it’s hard to stop breathing – and almost impossible to stop playing. It’s over 18 hours of campaign that captures the player’s attention with a mix of drama, puzzles, mind-boggling combat and some captivating and rewarding extra content.
All of this is illustrated by beautiful graphics and impeccable lighting effects, which create an always tense atmosphere and live up to the possibilities of today’s gaming platforms. Furthermore, the soundtrack is worthy of the best survival horror games and sets the right tone for every suspenseful moment and every battle. The Resident Evil 4 remake is also very well dubbed into Portuguese, following in the footsteps of Resident Evil Village.
Considerations
Resident Evil 4 remake joins the select group of essential games, the ones you he needs, at some point, play. Capcom has done a great job of modernizing one of its greatest classics, making it the ultimate “survival horror” experience, once again.
Resident Evil 4 Remake arrives March 24 for PC, PS4, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
This review was done on PlayStation 5 with a copy of the game kindly provided by Capcom.
Source: Terra
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
