A horror masterpiece: why you should play the “Resident Evil 4” remake

Seen soberly, the successful video game series “Resident Evil” almost always works along the same lines: the hero or heroine searches for and saves people in a limited area filled with zombies, monsters and crazy authorities. This basic formula has not changed much over time, but in terms of game mechanics, the Japanese company Capcom has repeatedly come up with something new to give the game series a new twist.

2005 was one of those years when the brand, led by series guru Shinji Mikami, broke new ground with «Resident Evil 4». The character could now be controlled freely and the action became more central. Part 4 not only breathed new life into the series, but also made the competition sit up and take notice. In short: “Resi 4” has written video game history and is now also getting a remake after the second and third parts.

A very wild crowd

What is it actually about? Leon S. Kennedy went through a horrific zombie apocalypse in Raccoon City about six years ago and went through his personal hell. But things are getting worse now: the super agent now works directly for the president of the US and leaves for the Spanish hinterland to visit his missing daughter Ashley.

In the beginning, Leon is driven into the barren nature by two nice policemen, but soon finds himself on his own and meets quite aggressive villagers who, after the two policemen, now want to personally burn him.

Why are these people so aggressive, what kind of cult is there in this area and why did the president’s daughter end up in Europe in the first place? Questions upon questions answered in the next 16 hours. And yes, it all gets a lot weirder, messier, but also just wonderfully entertaining.

Look over your shoulder

In terms of game mechanics, we’re in third-person shooter territory, with the camera not hovering directly behind the character, but next to her. So we look over her shoulder and the players are brought closer to the action and the intensity and immersion increase. That was a fairly new feeling in 2005 and has since become established in many other games.

So there’s a lot of shooting here? Oh yeah. Using a variety of firearms, which must be reloaded with new, rare ammunition, is part of the core of the game. An abundance of blue beans wants to be sunk into different body parts. In the beginning, if there is only one mad mob aggressively chasing you, the enemy horde will expand from level to level.

Because there are reasons for mutations that cause strange limbs and powers, a cult sends out genetically modified horror creatures and larger mountains of flesh sometimes cross our path. And when the sound of a chainsaw can be heard from afar, the survival horror feeling becomes even more sweaty.

In addition to the obligatory shooting gallery fun, there are of course also the classic puzzles, as befits a “Resident Evil” game from the very beginning. These range from “extremely stupid” to “what exactly do you want from me” and always make for nice, quiet breaks.

As usual, we collect illustrious items and place them in places behind which a closed door or other path will eventually open to continue the game. As a “Resi” fan, you no longer worry about sense and nonsense, but sometimes shake your head. For example, why would someone hide a key to an important location in a cave miles away? That’s so stupid, but sweet at the same time.

While searching for answers in this horror hodgepodge, you can also regularly and happily buy and sell from a dealer. Defeated opponents leave behind not only money, medicinal herbs or ammunition, but also valuables that are also hidden in the game world. So there is a lot of trading and the players can put together an arsenal of weapons to eliminate the wild horde. Provided you have enough money and enough space in your suitcase. But this can also be expanded for cash.

What’s really different?

With a remake, the question naturally arises what is different from the original. Clearly the optics here have had a general overhaul. But these improved graphics look great all around and certain parts of the game leave you in awe. Just sniffing around the village huts makes it clear that not only a nicer dress was put on over it.

Another highlight is the gigantic residence of an insane magistrate, where polished marble floors and lavish furnishings invite to be explored. The whole area is dripping with opulence and megalomania, once again making it clear why we love the series “Resi” so much. Yes, the look is new, fresh and definitely contemporary. But there are even more important innovations.

The highly stressful fast-paced events of the original have been completely eliminated. It sometimes happens that you have to press a button like a man possessed in close combat, but compared to the fatigue of the past, that has become insignificant.

Speaking of close combat, Leon is now much more agile and can not only deal and parry attacks with the blade, but also has some nice moves up his sleeve when the opponents falter in front of you and send you a hint.

In terms of content, there are no completely new story directions. Here and there a few things were added or nice extra scenes were added. But the basic story remains the same and will only make the hardcore fans look up and pay attention to minor deviations.

If you want to experience even more besides the main dramaturgy and thus extend the playing time, you will find many side missions to be completed within the world. But don’t expect a large substantive caliber there. Usually it involves some special objects that need to be found or shot.

And even though the game is quite linear, it pays to leave the path every now and then and take a closer look at the small but nice game world. There is much to discover. In addition to rare, valuable treasures, you can sometimes find a very powerful weapon, provided you have the right key in your luggage or manage to crack the lock puzzle. And if you keep your eyes open and do not blindly dart through the area, you will be rewarded with one or the other nice Easter egg.

Otherwise, the remake convinces with a shortcut menu, where the different weapons can be selected quickly and if you play attentively, you will discover many new types of opponents bent on killing you. Leon can also now sneak around and occasionally kill loitering enemies with the blade from behind. And as befits a modern video game, the main character gets to pull the trigger while running. A function that was not even possible in the original.

A masterpiece remains a masterpiece

Conclusion: “Resident Evil 4” made an incredible impression on me in its original form on the Nintendo Gamecube and still does with today’s remake.

Sure, even this new version with its fine tuning can’t quite hide how messy this adventure was and still is story-wise, but you’ll accept that if you stay in the “Resi” universe and let off steam.

Even if the last act is very stretched out, the escort sections with the president’s daughter are still tedious and the humor is more on the point of embarrassing others, the title convinces with its dense, tactical survival atmosphere and could not be more varied .

I wish I could erase all my memories from back then and enjoy this beautifully chilling horror game experience like a virgin again. Those new to the game will be amazed, while veterans will welcome the small but nice changes with open arms.

Already a masterpiece, “Resident Evil 4” is still a video game that every genre fan should play and experience.

“A forastero!”

«Resident Evil 4 Remake» is available for Playstation 5 (tested), Playstation 4, Xbox Series X/S and PC. Approved from 18 years.