My completion rate of Resident Evil video game franchise... is not spotless. Many games I had played eventually got to a point where I either got bored with its monotony or gave up and moved on after failing to obtain an item essential to progressing. The Resident Evil 4 remake, however, has neither issue and is surprisingly one of my favourite video games of the decade! I played a fair amount of the original Resident Evil 4, but I doubt I’ll ever finish it after playing this remake, which improves upon every single element of that game. No longer are there clunky controls, dated graphics, or QTEs. Instead, we have a silky smooth game that works on every level.

I typically find that the narratives of video games are rarely above serviceable and tend to be unmemorable. But due to the campy and cheesy nature of most Resident Evil game plots, this remake is able to not take itself too seriously and have fun with its storyline. The characters are all fairly simple, but Resident Evil isn’t a franchise known for incredibly well-written characters. There are some moments with fantastic dialogue, especially when fan favourite lines from the original game are incorporated, but the story’s lighter tone ensures it doesn’t drag down the entertainment factor of the game. 

That being said, the best part of this game is the gameplay itself. The original game came out nearly 20 years ago, and you can tell. Movement in the game is very clunky, which hindered my enjoyment when I was playing it. Thankfully, there have been some incredible advancements in video game design in the decades separating the original and its remake. This game has fixed every movement issue I had with the original game, granting you a plethora of different movement abilities like enabling you to move and shoot. 

Another improvement made was the authenticity of the action, since when you get hit or stabbed, you really feel it. The action sequences you are placed into are incredibly engaging, and the game gives you a lot of freedom in what you can do to defeat your enemies. From exploding barrels, fire, to even electricity, you have a variety of different ways to attack! The action is laid out incredibly well, and that extends to the boss fights. Sometimes boss fights in games can be so difficult and exasperating that rather than feeling satisfaction after beating them, you only feel relief that it’s over. Other times, they can be so easy that you find no enjoyment whatsoever when you beat them. Luckily, this game falls into neither category, and each boss fight is at a similar level quality-wise. They’re difficult fights that left me very frustrated at times, but I felt an immense satisfaction when I was finally able to beat them — the mark of any great boss fight. Each boss fight is wholly unique and hinges on different scenarios, making each one memorable in its own way. 

The atmosphere surrounding the excellent gameplay is similarly wonderful. Resident Evil as a franchise had somewhat drifted away from the horror, with the original RE4 being the catalyst of that. I’m fine with games that focus solely on action, but some of my favourite parts of recent Resident Evil games are their horror elements. Thus, it’s no surprise that Resident Evil 4’s spookier tone was a massive success with me! The game balances intense action with unnerving horror, and it’s a much-needed breath of fresh air. The Regenerator section is legitimately terrifying and the stuff of nightmares. I dare you to try and sleep after playing it. 

All in all, Resident Evil 4’s remake is a masterpiece in every sense of the word. I highly recommend you check it out, whether you’re a novice to the franchise or a seasoned veteran.

10/10