Remaking a game as influential as the original Resident Evil 4—a title credited with redefining third-person action games entirely—is a high-wire act between preservation and modernization. Capcom’s remake threads that needle about as well as any remake in recent memory.
Familiar Bones, Modern Muscle
The broad strokes of Leon Kennedy’s rescue mission to the rural, cult-infested Spanish village remain intact, but nearly every system underneath has been rebuilt. Leon can now strafe and move while aiming, parry incoming attacks with a knife that has real durability and stakes, and stealth-kill unaware enemies—none of which existed in the 2005 original. These additions modernize the moment-to-moment feel without eroding the tense, resource-scarce survival-horror identity that made the original so influential in the first place.
Horror Restored
The remake meaningfully dials the horror atmosphere back up compared to the original’s more action-oriented back half. Village and castle sections benefit from oppressive lighting, redesigned enemy behavior that feels more genuinely threatening, and reworked pacing that lingers in dread before releasing into action rather than the other way around. Ganado enemies react dynamically to where they’re shot, and the iconic chainsaw-wielding villager encounters remain just as heart-stopping as ever, arguably more so with updated AI.
Ashley, Reworked
One of the most notable changes is to Ashley Graham’s escort mechanics, historically a point of frustration in the original. The remake gives players more direct control over her positioning with contextual commands, and while escort sections are inherently going to create some tension, they’re dramatically less aggravating than the 2005 version, letting the story’s central rescue mission feel like a partnership rather than a burden.
Where It Stumbles
A handful of the original’s most memorable setpieces are altered or removed entirely, which will disappoint purists attached to specific beats from the 2005 version. Some of the added narrative context for supporting characters like Ada Wong raises questions the game doesn’t fully answer, seemingly setting up future DLC or sequels rather than standing entirely on its own. Weapon upgrade economy, while improved, can still feel grindy for players who want to fully deck out multiple weapon types in a single playthrough.
Verdict
Resident Evil 4 Remake is a rare case of a remake that understands exactly what made the original great and improves nearly everything around it without losing that identity. It stands as both a loving tribute and a genuinely superior way to experience the story for new players.
Score: 9.4/10
- Pros: Modernized combat with parries and strafing; horror atmosphere significantly improved; Ashley escort sections reworked for the better
- Cons: Some iconic original setpieces altered or cut; certain narrative threads feel set up for future content; weapon upgrade grind persists
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