Resident Evil 4: Remake: PS5 Review

Developed by Capcom
Released by Capcom
Platform: PS5

Resident Evil's fourth installment was the game that set the standards for the series, even way back in 2005 when it was first released.

Polished and rebuffed for a new generation, the 2023 version of Resident Evil 4 still retains the jump scares and the adrenaline-pumping horror the original was renowned for, even if its super slick graphics show you it's the next generation.

In the game, you take on the role of Leon S. Kennedy, who's out to try and save the president's daughter from being kidnapped in an European village. But the cult who's taken her has other plans...

Largely ditching the zombie ethos in favour of maniacs in masks and possessed villagers, Resident Evil 4 plays with horror tropes landing it more in the arena of folk horrors rather than just a straight up scares. With its slick look and polished gameplay, the horror feels more urgent this time around and every challenge feels difficult to win, and victories feel earned throughout.

By tweaking the gameplay to remove some sequences and adding in others, Resident Evil 4's remake has landed squarely in the improvement territory, even if uber fans of the Nintendo Game Cube original will whine about what's been done.

Giving it a faster approach and a slicker feel all benefits Resident Evil 4 from the player's point of view. It's a game that still thrills and terrifies but does so in ways that feel fresh, enticing and engaging - the opening fight is utterly terrifying, a kind of pre-credits sequence that requires nerves of steel but pays off once you're done.

Resident Evil 4 is the remake you've always wanted, and the horror game you need for 2023.