The Resident Evil 4 remake is here, offering a lavish reincarnation of the original third-person survival horror game of the same name. However, the remake improves a great deal on the 2005 original, coming with lavish new graphics, as well as numerous modernizations and gameplay improvements.
We loved the Resident Evil 4 remake at TechRadar Gaming and proudly gave it five stars in our review. There has never been a better way to enjoy Leon's perilous journey to rescue Ashley Graham from the machinations of an evil cult. The new graphics are much more than a facelift, too, with the bleak, run-down locales looking gorgeous with the help of modern-day hardware.
The game is third-person survival horror at its best. As Leon, you'll fight hordes of cultists and zombies, supported by other more unsettling horrors as you make your way through rural Spain. It's far more melodramatic and over-the-top than the likes of The Last of Us Part 1, but this is very much a feature, not a bug. The remake is a wonderful example of the genre and a real treat for fans of Resident Evil, or survival horror in general.
Resident Evil 4 remake cut to the chase
- What is it? A modern remake of survival horror staple Resident Evil 4
- What can I play it on? PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC
- When can I play it? March 24, 2023
Resident Evil 4 remake release date and platforms
The Resident Evil 4 remake was released on March 24, 2023, for PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
Unfortunately, it looks like the title isn't available on Xbox Game Pass nor is it playable on Xbox One.
Resident Evil 4 remake trailers
Latest trailer
With the launch of the Resident Evil 4 remake, we were treated to a glorious launch trailer, full of the sorts of horror and bloody melodrama that makes the series great.
At just under 40 seconds, it's short but sweet, showing off some of the game's classic setpieces, albeit with a new coat of graphical paint. Leon and Ashley look great in the remake, as do their hordes of adversaries.
More trailers
Despite its imminent release, relatively few trailers have dropped for the Resident Evil 4 remake so far. The State of Play June 2022 announcement trailer can be found on the official PlayStation YouTube channel along with a second trailer that focuses more on the main story and a third trailer with an emphasis on the title's thrilling cinematics. There is also a five-minute-long gameplay trailer which can be found on GameSpot’s Youtube channel.
Resident Evil 4 remake story and setting
The Resident Evil 4 remake has you take on the role of Leon Kennedy, an agent of the US government and part of a special task force opposed to the nefarious Umbrella Corporation. Kennedy has been ordered to recover the President’s daughter, Ashley Graham, from sinister cult Los Illuminados.
His quest for Ashley leads Leon to a village in rural Spain, full of farmers who have since become infected with a mind-controlling parasite that they call Las Plagas. Unfortunately, it looks like Ashley has also been infected by this parasite and that Los Illuminados intend to use her as a means to control the President of the United States.
As you can see, the stakes are pretty high. Leon will have to team up with locals, track down the cult leaders, and unravel the source of the Las Plagas conspiracy.
Resident Evil 4 remake gameplay
The Resident Evil 4 remake combines third-person over-the-shoulder action with stealth elements and inventory management to deliver a tried-and-true survival horror formula. In addition to these Resident Evil staples, the Resident Evil 4 remake boasts some welcome quality-of-life improvements, including additional control schemes and improved menus and graphics.
The title also brings with it some brand-new additions, including new sidequests, new enemy types, and new parry mechanics, which allow Leon to block attacks with his knife. Capcom has also seen fit to avoid Quick-Time events in the remake – a move many fans have welcomed.
Ashley doesn't have a health bar anymore either, instead, she enters a downed state if she takes too much damage. If you fail to revive her, and she gets hit again while in this state, she’ll die. This is, in the words of a Capcom representative, intended to make her feel “more like a natural companion” and “less like a second health bar to babysit” (via IGN). It's another great change that offers a marked improvement on the original.
