Review: Couldn’t get enough of Resident Evil 4? Well now there’s a remake

by Laila E.

A vast percentage of AHS students are gamers and hold the Resident Evil 4 remake in high regard due to becoming more aware of the game through social media platforms such as TikTok. The remake, which released in March of this year, is of the 2005 game Resident Evil 4 in which US agent, Leon S. Kennedy, is controlled by players with the task of saving Ashley Graham, the United States president’s daughter, from a mysterious cult named Los Illuminados. The Resident Evil 4 remake certainly did not disappoint as it features smoother movement, controls that contribute to efficient combat, and picture-perfect graphics. While many video game remakes are disregarded, it would be a huge mistake to pass this one up.

The best feature of the new game is it’s smooth movement. When the movement in a video game is smooth, it enables gamers to immerse themselves into the experience and feel like they are actually one of the characters. For example, the Resident Evil 4 remake enables players to run while shooting an opponent in the game, the camera actually follows Leon, and the majority of the screen is not taken up by his frame.

Secondly, the player has good control of their avatar in the reboot. Having good controls allows gamers to feel an instinctive connection between the buttons being pressed and whatever action happening on the screen. To illustrate, the improved controls makes playing as Leon a much better experience as he feels more capable and sure of his abilities. After playing the remake, the original feels bulky by comparison. The fact that Leon can now hold any amount of weapons that fit in his attache case and quickly zero in on an opponent’s specific body part and annihilate them with accuracy that is precise contributes to the original feeling subpar.

Lastly, the graphics of the remake are unparalleled. Graphics are an art style in itself as they create the aesthetics of the game. And when the graphics are of high quality, the feelings and thoughts the gamer has toward the game become positive, and increases their desire to play the game. Namely, the graphics in the original made the game look dusty and have almost something of a cloudy feel to it. Nevertheless, the graphics in the remake contribute to the atmosphere and mood of the game which is ominous and nerve-wracking as you do not know what danger lies behind every corner. The choice of colors and how colors are used in the remake add to the spooky feeling that is expected in a survival horror game, and evoke feelings of fear in the player.

To give more basis as to why the remake is better than the original, one AHS student, who wishes to remain anonymous, stated that “the best thing about the Resident Evil 4 remake is the mixture of adventure and horror. When playing as Leon, we get to explore several places in Spain in order to find Ashley Graham while also having to deal with obstacles like the Las Plagas virus, and the group of people who kidnapped Ashley.”

Another AHS student, Jayden T., also agrees that the Resident Evil 4 remake put the original to shame as she voiced that “the remake completely outperforms the original in every way. However, my favorite improvements are the new dynamic shooting mechanism and the noticeably more frightening Spanish countryside.”

According to GameSpot, an American video gaming website that provides news, reviews, previews, downloads, and other video game information, the remake of Resident Evil 4 “raises the bar for what a good remake is and at the same time, preserves Resident Evil 4’s legacy as a genre-defining experience and one of the greatest games of all time.” American video game and entertainment media website, IGN also viewed the game in a positive light as they praised the remake for being “the series most relentlessly exciting adventure rebuilt, refined, and realized to the full extent of its enormous potential.”

Without an ounce of regret or hesitation, I give the Resident Evil 4 remake 10 out of 10 stars. Between the Resident Evil 4 remake and the original, the remake is the best because the game developer took potential that was already there, and did the original justice by keeping the passion and hype alive. To purchase your very own copy of the Resident Evil 4 remake, visit your local GameStop, Best Buy, or Walmart.