Go back to Spain to save the president's daughter from an evil cult once again. Read on to find out if the remake of Resident Evil 4 is worthy of its namesake in our review.

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Resident Evil 4 Remake Rating: Review Summary and Score

Residevent Evil 4 Remake Review Video

Resident Evil 4 Remake Score Explanation

Resident Evil 4 Remake Review: A (Mostly) Faithful Return to Spain

A remake worthy of its namesake. Resident Evil 4 Remake does the best thing any remake can do: To capture the spirit of the original while updating it to modern standards.

This is not just a good RE remake, but a great game in general with intense gunplay and action, terrifying set pieces, brilliant sound design, and graphics. For newcomers, it's a great way to enjoy the classic title, while veterans will feel it’s the RE4 we remember from our childhoods. This is not a remake you'd want to miss.

Resident Evil 4 Remake Full Game Review

Pros of Resident Evil 4 Remake

Things Resident Evil 4 Remake Got Right
A (Mostly) Faithful Remake Terrifying, Adrenaline-Fueled Gameplay Tweaked Mechanics Enhance the Overall Experience Immersive Sound Design and Atmosphere

A (Mostly) Faithful Remake

Before playing RE4 Remake, I played the remake for Dead Space. That game managed to both enhance the overall experience with modern gameplay elements while remaining faithful to the original. So, I thought, “How can the RE4 remake manage to match up to this?”

However, I’m glad to say that any doubts I might have had were unfounded. The RE4 remake is a mostly faithful adaptation, retaining almost all the iconic characters and gameplay elements while streamlining the plot for a smoother experience.

I was a bit fearful that this remake would be too serious since Capcom itself said that this game would focus more on the ‘horror’ part of survival horror, and not the actionized cheesiness of the original. But when I stepped into the village and heard Leon wonder whether all the Ganados went to Bingo, I knew that the spirit of the original had been retained.

Terrifying, Adrenaline-Fueled Gameplay

Despite the fact that Leon can now move while aiming his weapon, the remake's combat is just as satisfying as in the original game. This is achieved mostly by the game's use of a more aggressive enemy AI.

Let’s talk about the enemies first. In the original RE4, enemies were intimidating in that they could overwhelm you or even outflank you. But over time, you grow to account for their rudimentary behaviors. In the remake, however, enemies are much more aggressive, coming up with ways to flank you silently while also backing you into deadly corners.

In return, Leon has a few new tricks as well. His strategy in taking down enemies is still roughly the same: shoot the legs, make them kneel, and run up to deliver a melee blow. However, with more aggressive enemies, he can now parry their attacks, including what used to be one-hit KO’s from Dr. Salvador and other chainsaw enemies. He can also sidestep and crouch in time to avoid enemy attacks. If you are running low on bullets, there will be times when Leon can be stealthy and take out opponents with his knife.

The result is a more enhanced (and still actionized) combat system that feels mostly the same as the original. I felt like I was playing the same game from 2005, bear traps, chainsaws, and all.

Tweaked Mechanics Enhance the Overall Experience

Aside from the new combat mechanics, the RE4 remake has also rejuvenated other gameplay mechanics by refining them with new tweaks the player will find much use for.

For example, the Attaché Case inventory makes a return, where the player will have to play what is virtually a puzzle game within a game to cram in as many items as they can. There’s also a new crafting mechanic, where you can craft not only herb mixes but bullets and grenades. There’s even a sort of jeweler mechanic where you have to attach different gems to artifacts to make them more valuable than the sum of their parts.

You’ll definitely need the money from selling treasure, as the Merchant returns to help Leon on his adventure. From him, you can buy weapons, upgrades, attachments, and even body armor. He also comes with new crafting recipes, as well as a trade option where you can give him Spinels in exchange for special items.

Where do you get Spinels? The Merchant himself will give you requests where you’ll be rewarded with Spinels upon completion. This will include shooting medallions, killing rats, going fishing, and many other things to extend your playtime if you are a dedicated completionist.

Immersive Sound Design and Atmosphere

The sound suite for the remake has all the hallmarks of the first, but with a higher definition and a more nuanced take. Exploring the forest, you hear nothing but the rustling of bushes, the humming of insects, and the caw of crows flying away from where you stand.

While encountering Ganados, you hear gritty, almost industrial bangs, coupled with gongs and the roars of loud engines, like airliners taking off. The game also makes use of screeching violins which are a favorite of past Resident Evil games, amping up the terror factor.

One chief complaint about the original that has been fixed in the remake is the Ganados’ use of Mexican Spanish. Though non-Spanish speakers might not notice this difference, it makes sense for the Ganados to use Castilian Spanish considering that the game is set in Spain. The better news is that most of the original Ganados quotes were redone in this dialect, so you will feel right at home when they shout “¡Allí está!” (There he is!) and “¡Un forastero!” (An outsider!) at you.

Of course, the sounds that other enemies make will not disappoint either. We hesitate to talk about them at length because the remake wants you to hear them for yourself. But let’s just say that they’re just as terrifying as they were way back in 2005. Even more so.

Cons of Resident Evil 4 Remake

Things That Resident Evil 4 Remake Can Improve
Remake Has Cut Content Subpar Voice Performances for Certain Characters Lackluster Deluxe Edition DLC Costumes

Remake Has Cut Content

I’ll first reiterate that Capcom’s streamlining of the game is the best they could have possibly done, and most of the memorable bits people liked from the original made it to the remake.

However, casualties from streamlining are unavoidable. For one thing, there are no more crossroads allowing you to choose whether to fight the Bella Sisters or an El Gigante. The tram ride to the Bitores Mendez boss fight is also gone, as well as the robot chase and the Gatling gun room (you know what I’m talking about). U-3 is also gone, as well as the laser room.

It’s sad to see such memorable segments go, and I wish that Capcom could’ve included more of them. Though I can imagine how hard it would be to translate those segments into the more grounded RE4 Remake without making the whole game too cheesy (it’s cheesy enough as it is, retaining the original’s charm).

Subpar Voice Performances for Certain Characters

Luckily for us, the voices of Leon, Ashley, and other characters have been done quite well in this remake. Nick Apostolides in particular does Leon a lot of justice in his performance, giving a grizzled and more experienced version of the cop he voiced in the RE2 Remake.

I wish I could say the same for the performances of The Merchant and Ada Wong. The Merchant’s voice is a lesser sin to me since it just feels like he has less pep compared to the original Merchant. But Ada’s dull, almost monotone voice made me wonder whether Lily Gao was phoning it in when she recorded her lines. Jolene Andersen did a much better job voicing Ada in the RE2 Remake, and I can’t help but be disappointed that she wasn’t retained for the RE4 Remake.

Lackluster Deluxe Edition DLC Costumes

Be ready for this: Leon’s RPD costume is not in the game. I’m serious. I was shocked myself, but it’s really not there at all. The gangster outfit is still there though, so don’t panic too much. Ashley also still has her own suit of armor.

As for the other costumes, they can be a bit disappointment. First, the ‘casual’ set is rather weird. I mean, Ashley as a punk rock character and THAT jacket on Leon? Really? The ‘Romantic’ costumes aren’t great either. They look like vampires. What’s the appeal?

But the most egregious sin must be the ‘Hero’ and ‘Villain’ costumes for Leon. They’re too overdone, they don’t match the tone of the game at all (and frankly, they look ridiculous compared to the stylish yet simple costumes from the RE2 Remake). I would’ve traded all the costume sets in the RE4 remake for the RPD outfit.

If the costume is going to be in the rumored planned DLC for the RE4 remake, then Capcom has done us a bit of a disservice. The RPD outfit was in the original, so why isn’t it in the remake?

Resident Evil 4 Remake Overview & Premise

If you've already played the original RE4, then you already know the tale as much as I do. But for the benefit of newcomers, let's look at the story.

Ashley Graham, the daughter of the president of the United States, has been kidnapped, and it's up to Racoon City survivor-turned-Federal Agent Leon S. Kennedy to save her. His investigation leads him to the Valdelobos ('Valley of Wolves' in Spanish) region in Spain, where he finds most of its inhabitants infected by a deadly parasite.

Meanwhile, a shadowy cult called the Los Illuminados pulls strings from behind the scenes, intent on keeping Leon as far away from Ashley as possible so they can make use of her for their own nefarious goals.

Capcom's original Resident Evil 4 is one of, if not the most celebrated game in the Resident Evil franchise, making it a tough act for the remake to follow. But with the remake’s more intense gameplay, better visuals, and a mostly faithful rendition of the original story, I can say that it stands on near-equal footing with the original.

Who Should Play Resident Evil 4 Remake?

Resident Evil 4 Remake is Recommended if You Enjoy:

• The original Resident Evil 4 from 2005
• The Dead Space Remake
• Third-person shooters in general

Of course, those who played the original RE4 from 2005 should play this game. Updated graphics and sound design. Modern Quality of Life improvements. Expanded setpieces and enemy encounters. This remake has many improvements over the original, but at the same time respects what its fans loved about RE4 in the first place. Of course, Capcom has cut content here and there, but these cuts streamline the game rather than undermine it.

Those who are fans of remakes and third-person shooters, in general, should also play this game because of its comfortable and fun-to-play mechanics and its good plot. Just like how the Dead Space remake captured the spirit of the original, you will not be disappointed with how the RE4 Remake does the same.

Is Resident Evil 4 Remake Worth It?

The RE4 Remake is Definitely Worth It

Without question, the RE4 Remake is a great game you shouldn’t be missing out on. Aside from its faithfulness to the original, its fun gameplay, and its gorgeous graphics, there are also a lot of reasons to replay it to unlock costumes, figures, and other extras.

If you’re going to buy just one game this year, make sure that the RE4 Remake is one of your choices.

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How Resident Evil 4 Remake Matches Up to Recently-Released Games

Games That Came Out Recently	Pros	Cons
The Last of Us Part 1	RE4R is a much more extensive remake compared to TLoU Part 1. Though TLoU Part 1 was rebuilt for next-gen consoles and PC, many segments remain the same. Meanwhile, RE4R reimagines many parts from the original 2005 release while still retaining its spirit.	TLoU Part 1 is a much straighter Survival Horror game, so some survival horror fans might prefer it over RE4R.
Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty	Both games have action-packed gameplay with multiple enemies on screen, though RE4R is much more accessible for those who aren't fans of Chinese literature and mythology.	Wo Long is a lot more lively and flashier than RE4R. It also has multiplayer, a functionality RE4R won't have yet at least until The Mercenaries DLC is released.
Bleak Faith: Forsaken	Both games have immersive environments, though RE4R beats Bleak Faith in the graphics department quite handily.	However, Bleak Faith's scope is much bigger than RE4R, and some players may prefer its cyberpunk/medieval aesthetic over the Spanish countryside in RE4R.

How Resident Evil 4 Remake Matches Up to Similar Games

Games Similar to Resident Evil 4 Remake	Pros	Cons
Resident Evil 4 (2005)	The Remake has better graphics, as well as an improved combat system and other gameplay systems.	The original RE4 has content that’s not in the remake and is also better than the remake in the costume and bonuses department.
Dead Space Remake	Both the Dead Space and RE4 Remakes have captured the spirit of their original games and translated it faithfully into modern gameplay standards.	Dead Space has a bigger emphasis on ‘horror’ while RE4 still retains its ‘actionized’ aspect. Hardcore survival horror fans might like Dead Space more.
Resident Evil 2 Remake	RE4R and RE2R utilize the same third-person camera shooting system, though RE4R is noticeably more fast-paced.	Hardcore survival horror fans might not like the faster and more action-focused gameplay in RE4R.

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Resident Evil 4 Remake Product Information

Title	RESIDENT EVIL 4
Release Date	March 24, 2023
Developer	Capcom
Supported Platforms	PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Genre	Survival Horror
Number of Players	1
ESRB Rating	Mature
Official Website	https://www.residentevil.com/re4/en-us/

Michael Mendoza Ab..

Reviews video games by day, tries to write novels by night. He's a sucker for open-world games (Bethesda Fallout titles, Mount and Blade Bannerlord, Grand Theft Auto), CRPGs (Planescape: Torment, Disco Elysium), and First-Person Shooters (Call of Duty, Battlefield, and immersive sims like Bioshock..