It’s rare that both an original game and its remake get the same amount of rapturous praise, but that’s been the case with Resident Evil 4 and its remake. Curiously, it might be because the RE4 remake is a different experience from the original game.
It follows the same beats without replicating the exact same levels, scenes, dialogue, and encounters. That said, it’s tempting to see the remake as a replacement for the old game. Why play classic Resident Evil 4 when there’s a newer, fancier version around? Because there are plenty of unique features that make the 2005 game replayable.
7 The Action Movie Story
For one, the original game’s storytelling comes off more like an action movie than a survival horror game. The remake retained some of this by carrying over some of Leon’s infamous one-liners (“Where’s everyone going? Bingo?”) and expanding on them (“Looks like your tap-dancing days are over!”). Even so, the original game is much more tongue-in-cheek. Krauser and his backstory come out of nowhere just to give Leon a rival ("I died in a crash two years ago...is that what they told you?"), and Saddler’s American movie cliché talk borders on breaking the 4th wall.
While not everyone in the RE fanbase liked this move, after seeing silly concepts treated seriously in the older games, it added to RE4’s charm.
6 The Controls
The gameplay was also revolutionary for its time, not that director Shinji Mikami and his team planned that. In fact, aside from the new, over-the-shoulder camera allowing mobile aiming and a quick-turn command, RE4 was still as tank-like as the classic games before it. But it goes to show how a little change could go a long way.
RE4 would make it most of it, as a well-aimed gunshot could stun an enemy long enough for a melee attack, or deflect thrown weapons, blow up explosives, find treasure, and more. While this works fine with a controller, the Wii version arguably improves on them. For a change, its motion controls actually make the aiming much smoother and QTEs less of a strain.
5 The Setpieces
Part of the game’s action-movie appeal came from its level design. Some sections kept true to the franchise's survival horror roots, like the Ganados' cabin assault or the Verdugo stalking Leon through the corridors. But then it also had a giant statue of Ramon Salazar that would come to life and try to crush Leon under its feet. The game is full of sections that test credulity while providing shedloads of fun.
Where did Ashley get her HGV license? Who knows? But her truck driving made for a great shooting section. Then there was the laser corridor section, which felt more like a movie tribute, but was great to see in action. As little sense as they made, the game would have been poorer without them.
4 The Cast of Characters
The characterization of the original game's cast is a touch or two different from the remake. In fact, big RE fans have felt that RE4 Leon and Ada are almost completely different people from their Resident Evil 2 debut. Leon acts more like a sardonic Lupin the 3rd with his flirts and quips, with Ada as his Fujiko-like femme fatale who helps and hinders him in equal measure.
Even so, they have good chemistry that makes their scenes together all the more enjoyable. Likewise, Leon and Ashley get on quite well both in gameplay and out, aiding and snarking on each other ("No way, Leon!" "Way!"), and Luis is a quick-witted skeez with his remarks on “ballistics”. Not every aspect of their banter has aged well, but it's delivered with enough self-awareness to add to its enjoyment factor.
3 The Enemies & Bosses
Most of this list thus far could be summed up as “it’s a fun, action game that doesn’t take itself seriously”, which can be replayable in itself. However, the original RE4 still breaks out the horror to get knees knocking. That first encounter with Dr. Salvador in the village can still be chilling as the player tries to find a way to put him down. The blind, claw-wielding Garradors can also wrack the nerves as they react to any sound made.
The Regenerators' hoarse wheezing combines with the chilling music to make them particularly freaky, let alone the grisly deaths they and the other foes can bestow upon Leon. The original game also has a boss that (as of this writing) didn't make it into the remake. The U-3, a humanoid scorpion monster, stalks Leon through a suspended maze. If he can't make it out, he'll either fall into the abyss or get his neck snapped by the beast.
2 The Fun Extras
It’s not clear why U-3 was cut from the remake. Maybe it was used as a template for the redesigned Salazar boss, or it’ll turn up in any potential new DLC campaigns. Until more non-microtransaction DLCs turn up, players can indulge themselves with the original game’s extras, which don't require any extra downloads or cash. Ada gets her own playable campaign in Separate Ways and a shorter sojourn with Assignment Ada.
The Mercenaries mode is also available from the start and has 5 playable characters across 4 stages. However, it’s a little harder than the remake's version. The player has to track down hourglasses to extend the timer and bonus markers to earn as many points as possible from killing Ganados until it runs out. There’s no Mayhem Mode either beyond Krauser’s mutant arm. Yet the extra challenge adds to its addictive gameplay.
1 It’s Everywhere
Lastly, it’s extremely easy to track down the original RE4 because it’s available on numerous platforms. For a game that was originally meant to be Gamecube-exclusive, it’s since become one of the most ported games ever made. Among these ports is a Wii version that made great use of the console's motion controls, a high-definition version that significantly improved the iconic game's visuals, and a VR version that brought the horror frighteningly close to reality.
Resident Evil 4 is available on GameCube, Wii, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, iOS, Android, PC, Zeebo, Oculus Quest 2