Survival horror redefined all over again? Here is our Resident Evil 4 Remake review roundup

Classic video game remakes are all the rage right now. This is evidenced by the sheer number of them recently released or coming around the bend: System Shock, Splinter Cell, Prince of Persia, The Witcher, Dead Space, Silent Hill 2 Remake and many others. Unfortunately, the results have been mixed. On the one hand you have the likes of Final Fantasy VII Remake and The Last of Us Part I—games that took classic gaming experiences and reinvented them into something palatable for contemporary gaming audiences. And on the opposite end of the spectrum are video game remakes that somehow missed the mark and failed to do their forebears justice, like 2018’s Secret of Mana and the 2019 MediEval remake.

Given Capcom’s track record with previous remakes of early games in the iconic survival horror franchise, particularly those of Resident Evils 2 and 3 most recently, the excitement for the next in line was understandably high. Resident Evil 4 was the game that redefined not only the series but the horror genre as a whole when it first released back in 2005. It was one of the defining games of its generation and is considered one of the greatest video games of all time.

Those are some pretty big shoes to fill, and now that Resident Evil 4 Remake is about to drop…does it live up to the original’s legacy? Read on to see what some of the top gaming sites are saying.

IGN’s Resident Evil 4 Remake review (10/10)

Whether you’re a fan of the original or a newcomer with a hankering for some action-heavy horror of the highest quality, Resident Evil 4 is like a parasite-riddled Spaniard: a total no-brainer…the most relentlessly exciting Resident Evil adventure of all time that’s been rebuilt, refined, and realised to the full limits of its enormous potential.

Engadget’s Resident Evil 4 Remake review

It’s not a terrible game, but it isn’t seamless, either. It adds enemy variety and fresh environments, but Leon’s bullets routinely hit their targets without dealing damage, his movements are clumsy and his new parry ability is only semi-functional. The game clearly establishes combat strategies for each scene, but then its mechanics get in the way, punishing the player in the process. Overall, the word for the RE4 remake is inconsistent.

Gamespot’s Resident Evil 4 Remake review(10/10)

Capcom has masterfully created a new version of a beloved game and continues to blaze a trail with its Resident Evil remakes. Like the Resident Evil 2 remake before it, the studio has used advancements in technology and design to modernize an iconic survival-horror and action game…At the same time, it empowers the player with thrilling new mechanics and places challenges in their way to test their mastery of them…It 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.

GameInformer’s Resident Evil 4 Remake review (9.5/10)

The Resident Evil 4 remake is about everything I could’ve wanted. But importantly, it doesn’t overwrite its predecessor. If anything, this new version reinforces why the original Resident Evil 4 is a game people should still seek out, play, or at least watch and learn about. But as a love letter to one of the greatest games of all time, as a new historical artifact that reinforces why the source material was so landmark in the first place, this new trek through the Spanish countryside is as good as it gets and makes a great game that much better.

The Guardian’s Resident Evil 4 Remake review (5 stars out of 5)

This is a wonderful game: a beautiful, tense, camp, gory summation of everything that is so good about Resident Evil. Wherever you find yourself, whether rose garden or torture dungeon, it is alive with intimate detail, from the sounds of distant screams and chants to the sight of a grizzly murder scene or a beautiful vase. It is resplendent, delicious and decadent, like an incredibly rich banquet served amid the detritus of some horrible battle. Believe me, you will feast on it.

Niche Gamer’s Resident Evil 4 Remake review (10/10)

Resident Evil 4‘s remake does what the first Resident Evil remake does for the franchise. It expands upon an incredible foundation and creates fresh material while remixing existing scenarios that were sacred. Capcom was very careful with the changes and has delivered another excellent experience that honors the original’s legacy.

Resident Evil 4 Remake: a new horror classic

Much like its predecessor, this new interpretation of Resident Evil 4 is getting glowing reviews ahead of its March 24 release. Does it set a new bar for classic game remakes? Only time will tell. But in the meantime, what are your impressions of the game? Will you be running out and buying Resident Evil 4 Remake? If so, feel free to share your own thoughts with us down in the comments.

Featured image via xbox.com.