Capcom’s approach to the Resident Evil 4 remake is becoming evident. Capcom’s narrative trailer and IGN’s gameplay peek both suggest that the developer isn’t meddling with the fundamental elements of the 2005 hit while ramping up the terror. While the re-do is clearly creepier (especially in cutscenes), the original RE4’s frantic action looks to remain intact. You’re up against swarms of diseased peasants who would gladly butcher you with a chainsaw or pitchfork.
The adaptation still centers around agent Leon Kennedy’s quest to rescue the US President’s daughter, Ashley Graham, from a parasite-worshipping cult-controlled Spanish town. However, as you can expect, the plot immediately goes awry. But don’t anticipate a repeat. While the over-the-shoulder viewpoint and other aspects from RE4 remain (with updated controls), Capcom has said that the development team is “reimagining” portions of the story.
The Resident Evil 4 remake will be released on March 24, 2023, for the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC (via Steam). When the PlayStation VR2 headset is released, users will get exclusive content. This isn’t as drastic a change as previous games in the series (which were complete gameplay overhauls), but it’s still significant. RE4 was successful in part because it signaled a significant transition in the franchise’s gaming mechanics and plot. The update must find a balance between recognizing that dramatic flip and admitting that players’ expectations have altered 17 years later.
