Resident Evil 4: Resurrected Nightmares in HD
Uncover the secrets of a secluded European village with the newly polished survival horror classic.
last updated Jan 19, 2024
This isn't just a game, it's an opus; a culmination of horror, action, and storytelling so artfully executed it should be hung in a museum.
Slicing and Dicing Gameplay
Resident Evil 4 has been rebuilt with the precision of a surgeon performing heart surgery on a grape, delivering a gameplay experience that winks at the past whilst confidently striding into the modern era of action-horror. If you've played the original more times than you've had hot dinners, strap in and prepare to rediscover your tactical combat chops. This isn't your grandma's survival horror, as the combat is smoother than a fine scotch and the encounter design pushes you into beautiful adrenaline-fueled panics. The new-and-improved character arcs - *cough* Ashley *cough* - and smart level adjustments demonstrate that evolution isn't just for Pokémon. And the best part? RE4 manages to be just the right amount of challenging without making you want to toss your controller across the room – well, most of the time.
An Orchestral Onslaught
The game's audio feels like someone fine-tuned it with the care of a helicopter parent at a recital. The difference in footsteps between Leon and Ashley is astonishing, and you can almost feel Leon's stoic frown through the crisp sound design. Furthermore, the revamped soundtrack does justice to the original, with tunes so haunting they could be used as a Halloween playlist. However, if one must nitpick, a note of dissonance hits with some voice acting decisions that seem about as fitting as pineapple on pizza, but in the grand scheme of the game's audio landscape, it's a minor speedbump.
A Graphical Gorefest
The graphics are a feast for the eyes, like diving into an oil painting that’s animated with the vigour of a Saturday morning cartoon, except, you know, with more gore. Performance is slicker than wet soap in a wizard’s back pocket, assuming you're sporting a GPU that doesn't belong in a museum. While the game shines brightly, it's not immune to the occasionally grumpy start-up crash - a rather irksome blip akin to starting a lawnmower on a cold morning. Nevertheless, once you're in, it’s smooth sailing through a thrilling tale of monsters and mayhem. The graphical upgrade is so profound, it’s like putting spectacles on a myopic mole. Leon and company have never looked better, and the immersive lighting sets the mood like candles on a date night with the undead.
The Sweet Sorrow of Remake Romance
This remake is the gaming equivalent of a cover band outshining the original artists, not by changing the music, but by amplifying its soul. Fans of the original will be pleased to find that while some content has been trimmed, it feels more like a strategic diet than unwanted amputation. New levels bring a sparkle to veterans' eyes, and QoL changes ensure that old dogs can indeed learn new tricks. With its deep roots in the RE lore and enough freshness to make a gardener blush, RE4 acknowledges its pedigree while strutting into the present with undeniable flair.
The Chink in the Armor
It's not all undead rainbows and psycho villagers; the game is, unfortunately, shackled by the DRM known as Enigma. It's like going on a rollercoaster but required to do your taxes beforehand - a bummer to say the least. This DRM decision is akin to wearing a raincoat in a shower - sure, you're protected, but at what cost? Despite the controversy, this hiccup doesn't prevent the game from being a veritable smorgasbord of horror delights, but it does add unnecessary weight to an otherwise sleek beast.
STEAM RATING
Developer & Publisher
CAPCOM Co., Ltd.
Release Date
March 23, 2023
The Verdict
When you resurrect a beloved classic, you run the risk of it stumbling out of the grave craving brains instead of applause. But fear not, Resident Evil 4 doesn't just rise - it soars, blending the nostalgia of the original with the thrills and polish of modern gaming. While the addition of DRM is about as welcome as a tarantula at a picnic, it doesn't obscure the view of this masterpiece. This isn't just a game, it's an opus; a culmination of horror, action, and storytelling so artfully executed it should be hung in a museum. So go on, play it, for this remake doesn't just deserve a playthrough - it demands an encore.
