Although the original Resident Evil 4 is considered by many to be the best in the series, the directors behind the remake recognize that it needed updating for modern audiences, so player choice has been given more of a focus. Despite how long it's been around, the Resident Evil franchise is still remarkably popular, owing to the seventh installment rebooting the franchise in 2017, not to mention the remakes that have revitalized the classic entries. It seems Capcom's flagship horror franchise is still set to dominate the gaming world.
With the remake of Resident Evil 4 recently confirming a VR mode, the developer is going all out for this iteration to make sure it satisfies all types of gamers. The 2005 release was a landmark entry in the series, changing up the formula left behind by the previous three games while still being a significant title in the RE series. However, it's no secret that it has aged over the years, especially with the way the industry has been moving, which is why the studio wants the remake to feel more up-to-date.
In a recent video from Game Informer, Yasuhiro Ampo and Kazunori Kadoi, the directors behind the Resident Evil 4 remake, have acknowledged that bringing the original back unaltered would not work in this modern era. It was evident from the start that changes needed to be made to suit contemporary gamers. One such change has to do with how players approach certain situations, so an emphasis on player choice has been an important aspect in the remake. Modern games incorporate more than just fighting, says Ampo, adding additional mechanics such as stealth or a means of escape into games, which is something the developer felt was important for this iteration of RE4.
One other significant change is Resident Evil 4 remake won't have QTEs, or at least won't put as much focus on them compared to the original. Kadoi said he recognized that quick time events are not popular in today's games, which meant the studio had to approach things like the fight between Leon and Krauser differently, opting for a new parry system instead.
The directors have also admitted that they were hesitant to remake Resident Evil 4, knowing how much of a "masterpiece" the source material was. However, it sounds like the team at Capcom will be able to marry that sense of nostalgia for those who played the OG release with a sense of newness. Given how successful the remakes of RE2 and RE3 were, this next reimagining is likely to be just as highly praised.
Resident Evil 4 launches March 24 for PC, PS4, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
