Review of Resident Evil 4 Remake: Glory of Las Plagas

Resident Evil and Resident Evil 2 from another time. Resident Evil 3 anemic and disappointing but deserves a second chance. but Resident Evil 4 is the classic that reinvented an entire genre and revitalized a series with a gameplay loop so endlessly rewarding that it still requires a replay every few years even nearly two decades later. Those first three make cases for their remakes — rooted in their age — but Resident Evil 4 cannot claim to be a geriatric when it prevents most of its competition from submitting. the Resident Evil 4 The remake, however, is a carefully considered reimagining that more than justifies its existence by maintaining the skeleton of the original and thoughtfully enhancing it without sacrificing the bright heart that Las Plagas fills at its center. .

Resident Evil 4The battle is one of his more consistent legacy and makes for an effective example of the kind of smart changes that Capcom has made extensively with this remake. The original changed the horror style of the series by injecting more adrenaline into the mix, keeping the signature amount of tension but dialing up the action and pacing. Enemy and resource management is still important Resident Evil 4however, players must make decisions faster and with greater skill to overcome stronger and more numerous hordes of enemies.

The remake still has that general rush to manage the incoming crowd and that excitement is undiminished. Battles are often fierce, nail-biting affairs that test the player’s instincts and reaction times amid all that encompassing mayhem. The ever-present chaos comes from the resources that corpses drop dynamically, what forms of Las Plagas pop out, what ammo is in stock, the types of enemies that spawn, and which parts of the arena the player is funneled into. With a wide variety of enemies, a constant supply of unique scenarios, and many weapon upgrade trees, encounters never lose their edge because there are so many different variables which plays a delightful balance of player choice and the unpredictable bedlam that follows it. It is an array of systems that are unique on their own and even more so when combined.

Translating that from the original is no small task, however Capcom has also managed to go above and beyond by adding that loop to this remake. The quick selection feature – which has been a series staple ever since Resident Evil 5 – finally removed the annoying menu-based weapon switching from the original. It’s not always as quick as it should be because there’s some prioritization of the animation, but it’s a lot less scary than pausing the game slowly to get the shotgun. Being able to move and shoot at the same time can also Resident Evil 4 more fluid and the suspension is not absorbed because it only allows for more aggressive maneuvering and close shaves.

The new parry also helps in these close shaves, as Leon can counter almost any attack. While this may initially seem limited to binding parrying to the knife’s strength, it’s a surprisingly nuanced system that works in tandem with his aggressive nature while also providing a more mechanically rewarding defensive option. . A poorly timed parry will still stop the attack (except Professional), but time it perfectly to stun the enemy and open them up for a swift boot to the face. Unfortunately there’s no way to grab grabs and some enemies are too easy, but being able to do a quick counter stab to get out at the cost of a lot of stamina is a decent compromise . This is another skill-based option that is a natural fit Resident Evil 4The intricately interconnected systems.

And while the combat changes highlight what has been done Resident Evil 4 Resident Evil 4, some of the other tweaks evoke other aspects of the series’ DNA. Despite some annoying exceptions that unexpectedly tie into previous areas, it’s more open than the original and features locked boxes and side missions that encourage players to backtrack. and splintering from the main path.

As shown in Dead Space remake, these additions reward those who want to explore with valuable resources, some unexpectedly challenging battles, and a more intimate sense of place. Going through areas multiple times adds a sense of familiarity that some of the best video game hubs have, like Resident Evil 2‘s Raccoon Police Station and the USG Ishimura from the aforementioned Dead Space make again. Well-designed levels that seamlessly loop over each other and the lack of loading screens also make backtracking a painless exercise. Combined with more intuitive puzzles and new open-ended treasure combining mechanics, Resident Evil 4 closer to the former Resident Evil games while not rejecting its own identity as entry-oriented action.

It’s a strange balancing act that also reaches back to the horror roots of the series, as the radical leap in technology allows it to use the dark to create even scarier scenarios. Ashley’s reworked section benefits greatly from this visual makeover as Capcom uses it to create an anxiety-provoking key quest with a unique mechanic at its center, one that takes full advantage of the improved lights By overhauling the entire feature and doubling down on the horror, playing as Ashley is no longer a boring diversion from the main star and instead a tense and welcome change of pace.

Capcom upped the horror element again with its Regeneradores by bathing the island lab they call home in faint, flashing lights and creating elaborate scenarios that test the player’s mettle. to act under pressure while shrouded in darkness. Finding where to go and having to snipe the tiny parasites of Las Plagas on a moving target with such narrow room for error is the type of intensity that easily sums up the best of parts of the game. While their unbearably long arms, red eyes, and creepy asthmatic wheeze were terrifying in the original, they’re just as terrifying in the remake because of how they’ve been done to better emphasize the scares. part.

This part of the game is a triumph not only for its clever design but also because of how it deviates from the assumed path. Reversing expectations is great in the context of horror and why the scarier parts are so effective, but it’s also what keeps the game interesting overall.

Capcom has examined as if every inch of the original and created ways to bring out the particular tone of a section or implement completely new ideas. Iconic enemy encounters are astutely remixed, action set pieces are bigger and more bombastic, some sections are placed elsewhere, old enemies have new functions, his boss fight (which benefits greatly from in gameplay upgrades) streamlined across the boardand some filler stretches are given compelling new mechanics or twists.

Even the story is more cohesive as the team adds context and connective tissue that better ties everything together. Ashley and Luis got the biggest improvements, as they were no longer cutting dweebs, but competent characters with real arcs and more agency. Leon also has more emotional range and thankfully not only treats Ashley with disdain, but he still maintains his signature one-liners and acrobatic skills that are among his best. Ada, on the other hand, gives a surprisingly lifeless performance with a tough line reading that aims for easy cool, but doesn’t do anything. It’s puzzling why Capcom brought Ada’s actor back from harm Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City when the character is described as good in the noble Resident Evil 2 make again.

Except for Ada’s low voice, almost all the changes in Resident Evil 4 The remake was a phenomenal success that made one of the best games of all time even better. It’s not just about the quality of these changes, but also how many there are over the course of its 20-hour campaign. Capcom fundamentally understands why Resident Evil 4 is a classic and uses that knowledge to develop a scarier and more action-packed version of the game that also honors the puzzle-oriented nature of the other installments. The harmonious fusion of these pieces makes it the ultimate Resident Evil game, a top-tier remake, and an overall masterpiece.

SCORE: 10/10

As ComingSoon policy review explains, a score of 10 equals “Masterpiece.” This is a unique release that transcends genre and should be experienced by all fans of the medium.

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Disclosure: The publisher provided a PlayStation 5 copy for us Resident Evil 4 remake review. Reviewed in version 1.002.000.