This is a review-in-progress, meaning it will be updated upon the game’s release (March 24) to include further impressions involving aspects of the game that are covered by the pre-release embargo.

Resident Evil 4 Remake takes the survival-horror and bombastic action of Resident Evil 4 and perfects them in ways I didn’t even realize I had wanted. Everything from the original game that I love is refined and amplified, while the things that could use some work have been removed or improved upon. This is the benchmark for a good remake, as it will easily please longtime Resident Evil 4 fans and newcomers alike.

Resident Evil 4
Developer: Capcom
Price: $60
Platforms:PS5 (reviewed),  PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and PC
MonsterVine was provided with a PS5 code for review

Resident Evil 4 is one of those near-perfect games that, to this day, stands out as a crown jewel of the medium. It’s silly, badass, exciting, creepy, and fun all at once, and frankly, I felt it didn’t need to be remade. I still don’t think it needed a remake, but I certainly don’t mind that it got one, as it once again lets the fourth main Resident Evil game prove that it’s as good as the genre gets.

The story is pretty close to how you remember, though quite a bit of backstory has been added behind the zanier plot threads to ground them a bit. Essentially all of this backstory is found through optional documents and external information found throughout the game, so you can ignore it all if you prefer. Regardless, the inclusion of new information to round out the plot makes for a deeper narrative that fits better into the world of the Resident Evil remakes.

The sections in which you play as Ashley are much more effective at being both scary and enjoyable this time around, while Ashley’s character on the whole feels much less like a plot object and more like an actual character. Her and Leon have some great banter that makes them both stand out even more. I was worried Leon may lose his, for lack of a better word, dorkiness in the remake process, but he still has plenty of cheesy quips peppered in between his badass moments.

“You can tell a lot of effort and love for Resident Evil 4 went into each of the remake’s decisions and changes to ensure nothing special was lost in the process.“

Shooting is in-line with Resident Evil 2 and 3’s remakes, though this might take some getting used to if you’ve played the original Resident Evil 4 a fair amount. This remake rejigs Resident Evil 4 to be a bit slower and more horror-oriented, so playing with a more arcade-y and quicker style may not work for everyone. Granted, the ability to parry certain attacks with your knife adds a bit more of a skill ceiling to play around with, but for the most part, this is a slower game where shots mean more.

Certain areas are expanded upon in a way that doesn’t unnecessarily pad the length but does provide additional depth to the game. Some characters are given further backstory and intriguing motivations while others who were already completely fine are left as they were. You can tell a lot of effort and love for Resident Evil 4 went into each of the remake’s decisions and changes to ensure nothing special was lost in the process.

Visually, Resident Evil 4 Remake is as beautiful as it is disturbing. Characters like the chainsaw-wielding Dr. Salvador or the already-terrifying Regenerators are given new life without having their designs changed in any way that makes them unrecognizable. The iconic set pieces that Resident Evil 4 is known for look exactly as I thought they did when the original game looked sharp and HD to me, which is the greatest compliment I could give to a remake.

The Final Word
Resident Evil 4 Remake is both an incredible game and a brilliant remake. Everything great about the original game is present and often expanded upon while its weaker parts have been smoothed out and improved. Once you get used to its slower pace, you’re in for a riveting and spooky thrill ride that you won’t be able to put down.

MonsterVine Rating: 5 out of 5 – Excellent

• SEO Powered Content & PR Distribution. Get Amplified Today.
• Platoblockchain. Web3 Metaverse Intelligence. Knowledge Amplified. Access Here.
• Source: https://monstervine.com/2023/03/resident-evil-4-remake-review/