Reimagining the Classic 

The Resident Evil 4 Remake comes to us as a true lesson in how to recreate an experience. Preserving the successful formulas and enhancing everything else, Capcom shows us that a great work can grow even more if worked in the right way. 

Resident Evil 4 was released on March 24, 2023, for PlayStation, Xbox, and PC. 



The new plague

Resident Evil 4: Remake puts us back on the shoulders of Leon Scott Kennedy, who goes on a rescue mission in a remote and unknown location. Once there, he realizes that things are much deeper and more macabre than he imagined. Leon finds himself enveloped in a cloud of mystery in a strange village, where its crazed inhabitants seem to serve some kind of evil cult. It is up to him to discover what is behind this place, the people, and above all, what led them to act in such a way.

The lore of Resident Evil 4 presents a new chapter in the best-known survival horror saga. Instead of the T-virus, we have a new agent that generates very different consequences. Instead of zombies, we are faced with crazed people and with more complex and, in a way, more human abominations. 



The game presents us with a mysterious antagonist, who flirts with the supernatural at all times and makes us wonder what his role is in that plot. In addition, familiar characters from the saga anchor the story in the world of Resident Evil but give us a very particular experience, and deeper, than in the predecessor games. 

Leon continues with his serious, (sexy), and mysterious personality. He is one of the protagonists who has grown the most in the saga, just like Jill Valentine from RE3. Because of the more mature and somber atmosphere, I think only he would be able to lead the player in a convincing immersion journey. And the work was performed flawlessly, because it is impossible to separate the protagonist from the plot, which is built in a unique way, even for the RE saga. 

It goes without saying that the narrative in Resident Evil 4 is one of the best, if not the best, in the franchise. However, the Remake puts us in a more mature environment, with more in-depth issues and narrative choices that contributed to renewing the game and delivering a more modern and immersive experience. 

Therefore, in terms of narrative, as well as other points that I will bring throughout the text, the Remake of Resident Evil 4 manages to locate the player in a fresh experience, but without losing the nostalgia and the elements that made RE4 what it is today.



Dynamic, innovative, and refreshed

RE4's gameplay is recognized as a paradigm break from previous games in the franchise. Camera over the shoulder, shooting on the move, more frequent features, and more constant lore. Yes, all these elements reappear in the remake, but in an even more polished form consistent with more modern games. 

As if the combat wasn't spectacular in itself, in the remake it becomes even more dynamic and fun. Capcom has decided to go for a more action-oriented approach and has introduced new combat elements such as stealth and parry tactics, as well as new weapons with features that completely modernize the gameplay. The game also features new finishing moves, which adds a lot to the immersion in combat. 

In addition, the game presents new features such as side quests, explorable areas, and gameplay features that expand the diversity of content and consequently the relationship we will have with the game. I was impressed by the fact that we can visit new areas that were previously just figurations of the scenery or small spaces for collecting items, and that now have become natural and useful spaces for gameplay.

The additional content also makes for a very complete experience, which breathes a breather from linearity by adding original missions and tasks that are very pertinent to the context of the game. I don't flag the linearity of the game as a negative, but rather the fact that the extra content has added to our experience as a whole. 

And if that wasn't enough, RE4R introduces us to new game modes and a new game+ mode. Just for this, the game is already worth your time and money, because Resident Evil 4 is a unique experience that is always worth a try. But the game manages to deliver so much that I see it as one of the candidates for the best remake ever made for games and, who knows, even figure among the candidates for game of the year. 

I would add that the gameplay does not fail at any time and establishes an incredible relationship between more frenetic gameplay to the cherished horror that is the hallmark of the franchise. You will find yourself surrounded by enemies and traps, and you will try to overcome them under the pressure of a terrifying world taken over by an unknown evil that wants you dead.

New monsters have been added to the game, as well as several bosses revamps. The combat becomes more complex and fun from the new weapons added, and you will get lost in the possibilities of finishing off the monsters.




It is worth noting that the intelligence of the monsters, especially the Ganados, has undergone a very interesting revamp, making them more cunning and creative. If you are not smart, you will certainly leave this world faster than you imagined.

To be fast in combat, the game has added new shortcuts for weapons and combat artifacts and has also abolished quick-time events. In addition, further weapon details have appeared, to make your upgrades more meaningful. 

And as if that were not enough, the game gives us several improvements in timing, with better divisions of chapters, dynamic conversations that happen during gameplay, the typewriter has new functions and even the suitcase can be customized with new features.

If that wasn't enough to convince you, I have something that certainly will:

Outstanding graphics

For a remake of a game that is over 15 years old, RE4R delivers a phenomenal visual experience. The game's artwork is very convincing and delivers a grotesque and gloomy atmosphere. From every wooden hut to every stone building, we conclude that the region is a place completely taken over by evil. 

The low lighting, characteristic of the franchise, is almost a third narrator because it manages to impress upon us a feeling of fear and anguish that persists at all times. No matter how much you acclimate to the atmosphere, something or other will soon make you apprehensive again. This game can do surreal things to the player's heart. Watch the blood pressure! 

If the dark doesn't scare you to death, the monsters will. The creatures are aberrant and create a lot of uneasiness in the player. I understand if you, at some point, turn off the game and get up to get a drink of water. I think this is part of the experience. But let me tell you something: When you come back, the creatures will be there, waiting for you with a smile on their faces. And I love that! 



The soundtrack, as well as the effects, will make you uncomfortable. The monsters are also alive, and their bloodthirsty personality translates into their lines and grunts. RE4R has managed to imprint the horror of the survival genre very strongly, and I can only thank it for that.

Besides the phenomenal art, the game delivers a level design that is a lesson for developers who want to learn how to transform environments into intuitive and complex places, without losing their artistic characteristics, above all. 

Moreover, despite two crashes during my gameplay, I believe that the whole artistic experience of the game managed to build an atmosphere like few in a survival horror game, especially in a remake like this. 

For this review, Resident Evil 4: Remake was played on PC via Steam.

We would like to thank Capcom for the access key, which allowed this content to be produced and made available.