Capcom revolutionized the horror genre in 2005 with "Resident Evil 4." The remake was released nearly two decades later but is far less original than the original.
One of the turning points in the history of horror video games is the action-adventure "Resident Evil 4" Completely new game mechanics, a dark, previously unseen setting, and countless shocking moments provide an impact unlike any other. Capcom uses the title as a genre blueprint, and now, nearly 20 years later, the company releases a remake. Pull through the fictional village of Pueblo with Agent Leon S. Kennedy, avoiding chainsaws and solving puzzles in a modern guise. We put the game through its paces to see how current it is.
SYNOPSIS
Introduction
It’s been a long time, but there he is, taking a pensive look out of the window of a Spanish police car, Leon S. Kennedy observes how sunlight falls through dry leaves on the dry forest floor. And he might be surprised at how good the wilted environment looks. The 2005 original of "Resident Evil 4" has been rendered completely obsolete. It's not shocking.
In recent years, Capcom has shown a talent for remakes. The updated version of "Resident Evil 2" was a fun and fresh design while still managing to capture the spirit of the original. Another one, also completely redesigned for "Resident Evil 3," followed, but it wasn't quite as popular as the first. But the bill's major flaw was probably the cause of it. Capcom has once again produced a top-tier title with "Resident Evil 4," though it is not without flaws.
The action is one such instance. Leon Kennedy is celebrating his comeback, this time as a government agent, six years after the events of "Resident Evil 2." His goal was to find the president's daughter, who had gone missing in a Spanish village, and bring her to safety. He discovers a plot centered on a sect that uses a parasite (Las Plagas) to make its followers into mindless zombies. Although the remake includes some new twists, the story still blends Tom Clancy and Dan Brown. The main narrative is not Capcom, but rather the setting and gameplay.
Beginning strong, ending weak
"Resident Evil" thrives on gory and bloody scenes, hideous monsters, occasionally decayed, occasionally glitzy backdrops, dim light effects, and an oppressive atmosphere. Already in 2005, the game stayed true to this theme, but it supplemented the then-stiff control with a fixed camera with more dynamic game mechanics, such as the constant look over the shoulder. Although the characters were much more defensive and the then-revolutionary gameplay has once again modernized Capcom, there were still some terrifying moments.
As in the original, you play as Leon, who battles his way through rural Europe, armed with only a handgun and a few grenades. |Along the way, you'll encounter a variety of deranged enemies, including the now-iconic chainsaw-wielding maniacs. The biggest change from the original game is the camera perspective. The original 'Resident Evil 4' was played from a third-person behind-the-shoulder view, which has been replaced by an over-the-shoulder view. The camera is pulled much closer to Leon, making it harder to take in your surroundings.
This can be a little disorienting at first, but you'll get used to it. It's a more intimate way to experience the game, but it also eliminates some of the scares. Seeing a chainsaw-wielding enemy slowly approaching you from off-screen is one of the most effective horror game tricks. It's a slow burn of suspense that's punctuated by a release of adrenaline when the enemy finally appears. Capcom has taken this away by making the camera so tight. Instead of slowly approaching enemies, they usually just pop into view, which is less effective.
Another issue is that the new ' Resident Evil 4' is too easy. The original game was a challenging slog, especially on the higher difficulty settings. The remake is much more forgiving, with a larger number of checkpoints and more resources. It's still possible to die, but it's not as difficult. The new 'Resident Evil 4' is a great game, but it's not quite as scary or challenging as the original.
Games have changed so much in the ensuing years that Capcom's remake – also out on Switch – is practically revelatory. The third-person perspective is almost entirely different, with an over-the-shoulder camera rather than the static viewpoint of the original. The new camera not only allows for greater immersion in the action but also for some very cool set pieces, especially during the game's many boss encounters. It’s not just the camera that’s been updated, though. Nearly everything has been given a spit and polish, with higher-quality textures, better lighting, and more animations.
The game was released for the Nintendo GameCube, and the capabilities of the current generation are light years ahead. It is, however, a testament to the timelessness of the original game that it can stand up next to today's best-looking video games. After a few minutes of contemplation, our minds filled with nostalgia, and we were quickly brought back to the present. As the car pulled into the village of Pueblo, we began to see the piles of corpses and the effects of the gruesome T-Virus that have turned the townspeople into zombies. Not much has changed in the past 20 years. The update to the game's graphics is the most significant change, and it is immediately apparent. The once polygonal and pixelated zombies are now realistically groaning and lifeless.
A lot has happened in the video game market in the past half-decade, much less two decades. The technical limitations of the GameCube and PlayStation 2 were significant, so the visuals were heavily stylized. The high resolution and power of current consoles allow for a more realistic representation. No wonder then that, with 'Resident Evil 4,' Capcom goes for a much more natural look than in the past. Leon's rural idyll is immediately believable, as is the ramshackle village the game starts in. The dark, oppressively humid castle, which is the second major environment, looks convincingly old, too.
The technology available at the time was extremely limited. The game was a visual revelation, not just for the horror genre but for video games as a whole, and it hasn't aged well. As a result, Capcom has had to rework the game from the ground up for the remake. The visual update is significant, and the game looks like it belongs in 2020 rather than 2005, but the biggest change is to the controls. The original 'Resident Evil 4' was a tank-like control scheme that didn't work well with the fast-paced action.
The remake ditches that in favor of a more traditional third-person shooter control scheme that will feel familiar to anyone who's played a 'Resident Evil game in the last few years. It's a minor change, but it makes a big difference in how the game feels. The other big change is to the puzzles. The original game was heavy on item-based puzzles that required a lot of backtracking. The remake streamlines a lot of these, making the puzzles simpler and more straightforward.
It's a mixed blessing. On the one hand, it makes the game feel less like a 'Resident Evil game and more like a traditional third-person shooter. On the other hand, it makes the game easier and less frustrating. In the end, it's a net positive, but it's worth noting that 'Resident Evil 4' is not the mind-bending puzzle game it once was.
Conclusion
The game was a turning point in the history of the horror genre, and Capcom has been busy ever since, perfecting the template. The 2019 remake is a fascinating exercise in how to modernize a timeless classic without losing its identity.
Unfortunately, the final battle was a complete copy of the original, and it was equally as underwhelming as the original. Thankfully, the final moments make up for it with a great cutscene that ties the loose ends together.
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