There are few games dare to touch a legend like Resident Evil 4 and walk away with its spirit intact, let alone a fresh pulse. The Resident Evil 4 Remake (RE4R) doesn’t just succeed, it grabs the original by the throat, drags it into 2023, and makes it sing. You’re back in Leon S. Kennedy’s boots, knee-deep in a Spanish hellscape where tension hums, action roars, and every shadow hides a story that sticks with you. This isn’t just a game, it’s a love letter to a classic, rewritten with guts and grit.

My Resident Evil story starts with the original RE4 on the Nintendo Wii. Picture a kid flailing a Wiimote, sniping Ganados with shaky aim, hooked on that motion-controlled chaos. I chased it across multiple platforms, including the Xbox 360 HD remaster, logging hours that are burned into my memory. So when RE4R dropped, it felt like Capcom had personally built this game for me. It floored me. The horror-action-exploration mix was so electric I lost count how many times I completed it after five or six playthroughs, speedrunning it into the ground. RE4R is a design playground, packed with wins, stumbles, and lessons that scream legendary classic.

This stays mostly spoiler-free, but we’re digging into what makes it tick. I recommend that you go in blind; whether you’re a veteran or a newbie, the surprises hit like a brick.

Combat: Knife Fights and Nail-Biters

RE4R’s combat is a revelation. The originals over-the-shoulder view, gets a sleek overhaul. It’s tighter, faster, and built with a parry mechanic that rewrites the rulebook. Parrying a villager’s hatchet, a Garrador’s claws or even a chainsaw with Leon’s knife isn’t just smooth, it’s a power trip. This screams player feedback begging for melee heft, and Capcom knocks it out of the park.

Figure 1: Leon Kennedy Parrying a Chainsaw with His Knife (Gameplay)
Image credit: GameRant

The knife itself is a star in RE4R, far beyond its Wii-era roots. Unlike the original, where it was a static tool with no upgrades, here you can enhance the combat knife’s stats, durability, power, and speed, at the Merchant’s shop, a game-changer that I didn’t see coming. The durability mechanic adds massive depth; every slash wears it down, and watching it snap mid-fight is a heart-stopping moment that forces you to adapt fast, you can no longer rely on the knife to save your ammo for the big boss fights. However, if your knife breaks, you’re not always defenseless, as scattered kitchen knives offer a quick pickup, although their flimsy durability makes them a desperate last resort.

Figure 2: Combat Knife Tune Up Menu
Image credit: Wccftech

Then there’s the Plagas twist! when a Ganado’s head bursts, you can jam a button prompt to stab the emerging parasite before it fully spawns, killing it instantly. It’s a clutch move that turns the knife into a tactical lifeline, and not just a backup. This empowers players whilst still keeping the pressure on, and it transforms combat into a high-stakes dance of precision and panic.

Figure 3: R2 Prompt to Stab the Parasite with the Combat Knife
Image credit: Shacknews

The gunplay delivers just as much heft. Each weapon stands out! The Blacktail’s rapid fire snaps with urgency, whilst the shotgun’s boom clears the rooms with authority, backed by crisp audio and haptic feedback that make every shot land with power. Ammo scarcity keeps you on edge, echoing the original’s resource management, but dialed up for tension.

Soundtrack: Dread with a Beat

Kota Suzuki’s soundtrack for RE4R leans into dread and urgency, stepping away from the original’s quirky charm to match the remake’s broodier vibe. Subtle drones creep under your skin, building unease, while intense tracks surge during action peaks, village ambushes and boss battles feel all the more visceral for it. The shooting range theme steals the show, a catchy earworm that demands a repeat loop. This sound design nails immersion, locking players into the emotional ride without overwhelming them.

Voice acting however, proves a mixed bag. Leon’s corny wit still shines, especially with the return of iconic lines such as “Where’s everyone going? Bingo?”, that land with the same charm that I had loved on the Wii. Ashley’s glow-up from a screeching damsel in distress to an equally witty and helpful ally stands out, her chemistry with Leon sparks genuine warmth and it doesn’t feel like a chore having to escort her around and have her hide in dumpsters. Luis deepens over time, shrugging off early clunkiness to win me over. The Merchant is as iconic as ever with an expanded role which charms as much as it did in the original, with the return of iconic voice lines such as “Hello stranger”, “What are you buying”, and “Ahh, I’ll buy it at a high price”.

Narrative: Familiar Faces, Fresh Twists

The core plot holds steady, Leon rescues Ashley from a parasite-worshipping cult, but the remake fleshes out its cast with care. Ashley’s shift to a capable partner hits hard; her moments of courage make her someone you root for, and not just babysit. Luis gains layers, Krauser looms larger than ever, and Saddler’s cultist gravitas trades the original games conman quips for menace, I miss the old vibe in some aspects, especially sequences such as the memorable laser sequence (which makes a similar return in the seperate ways downloadable content), but it works well in making the vibe more horror-esque than Leon being a cartoon action hero. As a Wii veteran, I felt a lot of nostalgia, but also loved the twists with new surprises.

Ada is the weak link however. Her muted portrayal lacks the cunning edge I adored in the original, flattening her dynamic with Leon into something far more forgettable.

Elsewhere, pacing stays razor-sharp, no section overstays its welcome, and set pieces like the castle siege weave old and new into a seamless thrill which felt unrecognisable from the original game (in a good way).

Difficulty Curve: Hardcore’s Tightrope Walk

RE4R retools difficulty with intent. My first Hardcore run took 12 hours and tested every nerve, tougher enemies, sparse ammo, and a lack of stunned enemies pushed me to the brink. It’s a stark shift from the originals cheesable invincibility frames, but I leaned into it whilst thriving on the tension.

Theres a very high replayability factor. After that first run, I tore through five or six more, speedrunning through over and over again. drawn by shortcuts, skippable cutscenes, and unlocks like the infinite rocket launcher. With 43+ hours logged and counting, I can vouch for its staying power. I’d kill to see completion stats, how many chase that S+ rank?

A World of Grit and Clutter

The visuals are stunning, bringing crumbling villages, gothic castles, and gritty islands to life with a modern polish. However, the environments feel more cluttered than in the Wii era; grass, debris, and scattered objects can sometimes obscure key details. The use of yellow paint to highlight breakable objects feels like a clumsy downgrade from the original, where the laser sight naturally guided players’ attention to key targets. Similarly, treasure hunting shifts from solving clever, self-contained puzzles to a more routine resource grind, often requiring players to track down scattered gems to slot into preset treasures rather than engaging in unique, thought-provoking challenges. It’s functional but ultimately less rewarding.. It’s possible that research flagged visibility issues; did playtesters struggle to spot interactable elements amid the visual noise? Despite these concerns, the darker tone hits hard, amplifying the tension and immersing players deeper in the horror.

Figure 4: Yellow Painted Barrel to Show that it’s Breakable
Image credit: TheGamer

Is the Separate Ways DLC Worth It?

If you’re sitting on the fence about whether Separate Ways in Resident Evil 4 Remake is worth your time, I can assure you it’s a worthwhile investment. There’s been some concern that this DLC might be too similar to the main campaign, rehashing the same old formula with a different character and different areas. However, this DLC delivers more than just a few minor tweaks.

For starters, Separate Ways offers a fresh perspective on the game’s story. You get to play as Ada Wong, which means you’ll be uncovering different behind-the-scenes events that weren’t explored in Leon’s campaign. You’ll see more of Ada’s interactions with the characters, especially Wesker and Luis, and gain insight into the story from her point of view. This extra layer of narrative depth elevates the experience beyond a simple side story.

The gameplay itself introduces significant changes that make it feel distinct. Ada’s grappling hook is the standout feature, and it’s a game-changer in combat. You can use it in multiple ways, not just for traversal, but also to stun enemies, steal shields, and create new combat strategies. This adds a layer of complexity and strategy to the typical shoot-and-run gameplay, keeping things fresh. While some fans were worried that the gameplay might feel like a rehash, the grapple mechanic and some of the new weapons bring enough variety to make the experience feel distinct from Leon’s campaign.

Sure, there are reused locations, some areas that Leon explores in the main game are revisited, but they are remixed in a way that keeps things interesting. The different layout and Ada’s abilities make these familiar places feel fresh, and you’ll face a few new bosses and encounter new enemies that add excitement. One notable highlight is the final showdown with Saddler, Ada’s fight against him is definitely a memorable one, and while some might find it easy, it offers an exciting twist to the original encounter.

If you’re a fan of the base game, Separate Ways is pretty much a no-brainer. It’s a shorter experience (roughly 6-8 hours), but it’s packed with fun. Some players might find the DLC a bit too short, but for the price and the new content it offers, it’s hard to complain. Plus, you get to play with new costumes and enjoy more of the lore, particularly from Ada, Wesker, and even Luis.

At the end of the day, if you loved Resident Evil 4 Remake, Separate Ways adds another layer to the already incredible experience. The fresh mechanics, new narrative details, and replayability make this DLC a solid addition to an already fantastic game.

Accessibility: A Missed Beat

RE4R has faced criticism for its accessibility shortcomings. While the game offers some visual adjustments, such as Heads Up Display opacity and subtitle size, these features are not enabled by default and require manual configuration. The lack of a dedicated colour-blind mode also poses challenges for players with colour vision deficiencies, as some visual cues rely on colour differentiation (access-ability.uk). Additionally, despite offering motion sickness adjustments, such as disabling camera wobble and motion blur, many players still report that these settings are insufficient in alleviating discomfort (steamcommunity.com). The Hardcore difficulty mode, which presents a significant challenge, may also deter some players due to its high intensity. Moreover, the absence of controller remapping and more comprehensive visual adjustments further highlights the need for more research and improvements in these areas to ensure the game can better accommodate a wider range of players.

Final Thoughts: A Remake That Sticks

RE4R is a triumph that captures the essence of the original while introducing modern gameplay and design. Its visceral combat, revamped mechanics, and gripping atmosphere make it a standout title. The addition of Separate Ways offers fresh gameplay and deeper narrative insights, enriching the overall experience.

While there are minor issues like cluttered environments and accessibility shortcomings, these don’t overshadow the game’s brilliance. The improved combat, memorable characters, and tight pacing make RE4R a must-play for fans and newcomers alike.

Overall, it’s a remake that not only respects its roots but elevates them, delivering a gripping, unforgettable adventure.

After 44 hours of playtime and 40/46 achievements unlocked, I’d give RE4R 5/5 Leon Kennedy’s.