Resident Evil 4 Remake brings an Original Experience

The upcoming Resident Evil 4 remake looks to remain faithful to the original game but will have some changes to the gameplay, making for an original experience.

The popular horror franchise has seen its main series of games undergo remakes. They have been praised for both honouring the series’ older entries and reimagining each instalment for a modern audience.

This is the case with Resident Evil 4 but there will be some gameplay changes to give the remake a wholly new experience.

The story is believed to be reimagined and it will give the game a scarier feel to suit the tone of the franchise’s previous remakes.

But its basic premise will remain the same, with US agent Leon S Kennedy on a mission to rescue the president’s daughter Ashley Graham from a Spanish village dominated by Los Illuminados, a violent cult worshipping an ancient parasite, years after the events of his introduction.

There will be a spin on these events to make the experience more atmospheric.

With the game set to release on March 24, 2023, we look at the gameplay changes that will make this new title different from the 2005 original.

Combat

The remake makes significant changes to the third-person shooter combat system that was introduced in the original version.

Like the Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3 remakes, this game makes Leon more mobile by allowing him to keep moving while aiming his weapons.

This extends beyond moving and shooting as gameplay trailers show Leon quickly vaulting over low cover and leaping from rooftops to escape pursuers.

The remake’s combat system seemingly does not stray away from the original’s melee combat, letting Leon take advantage of openings and create space between him and his Ganados pursuers.

Players will also be able to parry enemy attacks with Leon’s knife.

According to Game Informer, one of the biggest changes to gameplay in Resident Evil 4 involves Leon’s knife.

While the knife was originally an item Leon had equipped at all times, knives in the Resident Evil 4 remake will break and have to be stored and replaced over time.

It is also believed that quick-time events will not be present in the new game but it seems more likely that quick-time events will be reduced rather than removed entirely.

Trading

In the original Resident Evil 4, the Merchant was one of the most iconic elements.

The remake is set to significantly change item management.

Like the original version, players will be able to visit the Merchant to buy supplies and weapon upgrades or sell special treasures found throughout the game.

This will still be the case but a new currency has also been added.

According to IGN, players will be able “trade jewels with the merchant in exchange for items such as yellow herbs, treasure maps, and weapon attachments”.

Crafting items is said to be a bigger part of the experience in order to emphasise the survival aspect of the game.

Instead of making the Resident Evil 4 remake merchant the primary source of supplies, players will need to search the game’s locations more thoroughly and craft their own supplies to give them a leg up in battle.

While a rudimentary form of crafting existed in the original game with the “Combine Herb” options, players will be able to craft their own health items and ammunition in the remake.

Ganados

In the original game, the Ganados made for unique monsters as they were surprisingly intelligent.

This will be further reflected in the behaviour in the remake. They are faster and more aggressive, forcing players to make full use of Leon’s newfound agility.

The Ganados will also fight more tactically with unarmed enemies grabbing Leon and holding him so armed weapons can deliver a deadly blow.

Enemies can also use the environment, with the iconic chainsaw-wielding Ganado carving a staircase to corner Leon in an alley.

This could just be a one-time set piece and not something players will need to worry about throughout the entire game, but the Ganados’ intelligence makes them unique Resident Evil monsters.

This can help encounters feel fresh compared to the two previous Resident Evil remakes.

Gameplay

In terms of gameplay, the remake will feature a stealth mechanic.

For example, Leon briefly crouches down and ducks behind a wall, avoiding an encounter with a Ganados as it went down the hallway.

This mechanic is a brand-new addition to Resident Evil 4 and it will likely help players sneak up on enemies or avoid combat entirely.

Given the remake’s focus on horror and resource management, sneaking past enemies and saving ammunition may be an important part of the gaming experience, especially on higher difficulties.

Another change to the gameplay will be how players interact with Ashley during these combat situations.

Originally, Ashley had her own health bar which could be increased separately from Leon’s but the remake changes this.

IGN says: “Resident Evil 4 remake also changes Ashley Graham, who no longer has a health bar, but if she takes too much damage, she will be in a ‘downed state’ and need to be revived.

“If she is hit when in a ‘downed state’, she will die.”

“A Capcom representative said that the developers want to make Ashley ‘feel more like a natural companion and less like a second health bar to babysit’, confirming that she can perform things such as sending her through a crawlspace to open a door that’s locked on the other side.”

Side quests will be an entirely new feature in the remake.

In addition to the main story, players will be able to take part in side missions like hunting down a particular enemy or solving a puzzle.

Resident Evil 4 remake looks to be a new experience, meaning new gamers and those who played the original can enjoy something unique.

Gameplay changes have been made to focus on its horror roots and to make it challenging for gamers.

Releasing on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S and PC, Resident Evil 4 remake will “preserve the essence of the original game”, but modernise the gameplay, “reimagine” the storyline and deliver the kind of graphics that the RE Engine has showcased in recent years.