Resident Evil 4 Remake Review: A Horror Masterpiece Reborn on Xbox Series X

One of the most acclaimed games of all time is back with a vengeance, as Resident Evil 4 Remake is a stunning reimagining of the classic survival horror game that will make you scream, shoot, and solve your way through an unending nightmare.

Experience the thrilling adventure of Leon S. Kennedy as he faces hordes of infected enemies, deadly bosses, and a sinister cult in his mission to rescue the president’s daughter.

With enhanced graphics, new gameplay features, and a revamped story, Resident Evil 4 Remake is a must-play for fans and newcomers alike.

 

Gameplay

The gameplay is faithful to the original game, but with some improvements and additions – still using an over-the-shoulder perspective that allows for precise aiming and shooting. Leon can now move and shoot at the same time, as well as use melee attacks and parries to fend off enemies.

Resident Evil also introduces a refinement of the original’s crafting system that lets Leon create items and ammo from resources he finds or buys from the Merchant, a mysterious vendor who also offers side quests.

The inventory system is still based on an attache case that can be upgraded to store more items.

Resi 4’s remake also features six control schemes, including one that mimics the original game’s controls. This remake remains a thrilling and immersive experience that combines action, horror, and puzzle-solving.

The game also has a high replay value with different difficulty levels, unlockable weapons and costumes, and extra modes such as Mercenaries and Assignment Ada.

 

 

Graphics

The game looks stunning on Xbox Series X, with detailed textures, dynamic lighting, and atmospheric effects, as well as redesigned visuals that create a heightened sense of atmosphere, along with new character designs and backgrounds.

Resident Evil 4’s modern reimagining also uses motion capture and facial animation to deliver realistic expressions and movements for the characters, as well as supports ray tracing on Xbox Series X, which adds realistic reflections and shadows to the environments.

The game offers two visual modes: frame-rate mode and resolution mode, both targeting 60fps. The frame-rate mode delivers a smoother performance with a resolution of around 1800p, while the resolution mode offers a sharper image with a resolution of 2160p. The game uses a form of reconstruction to hit its output resolution – very likely checkerboarding – and the results here are serviceable.

The resolution mode is a bit clearer, though both options hold up pretty similarly at a typical viewing distance, especially given the dark and low-contrast game content which tends to suit a less precise look just fine.

 

 

Story

The story is similar to the original game’s plot, but with some changes and twists. Leon still travels to a rural village in Europe to find Ashley Graham, who has been kidnapped by Los Illuminados, a cult led by Osmund Saddler.

Along the way, he encounters various enemies and allies, such as Luis Serra, Ada Wong, Jack Krauser, and Ramon Salazar, all redesigned with a next-gen flourish.

The game expands on some of the characters’ backgrounds and motivations, as well as adds new scenes and dialogues that flesh out the story.

The story is engaging and well-written, with moments of suspense, humor, and emotion. The voice acting is superb, with each character having their own personality and accent. The dialogue is witty and memorable, with some iconic lines from the original game being preserved or reimagined.

The story also has some surprises and twists that will keep you guessing until the end.

 

Conclusion

Resident Evil 4 Remake is an epic remake that delivers on every level. It is a gorgeous game that showcases the power of the Xbox Series X.

It is a fun game that offers plenty of challenge and variety. It is a captivating game that tells a compelling story with memorable characters, making for a masterpiece that honours the original game, while bringing it to new heights on current-gen hardware.

If you love horror games or action games or just good games in general, you owe it to yourself to play Resident Evil 4 Remake.