Resident Evil 4 Remake differences: 17 changes from the original

Resident Evil 4 is the latest modern classic given a new twist. While the original has seen dozens of ports over its 18-year lifespan, this iteration aims to keep the spirit of the original while creating a new look, much like Capcom did Resident Evil 2.

The original, especially in later ports like the Nintendo Switch version, still plays pretty well to this day. But if you’ve always wondered what a modern version of Leon S. Kennedy’s journey would look like, this Resident Evil 4 Remake is here to answer that question. However, there are many changes at different scales. So if you’re wondering whether your favorite aspect made the cut or everything new that the remake offers, this list will allay any doubts.

Fragile objects and points of interest are now yellow

In the original, fragile items – from crates to barrels – were all signaled with higher contrast. It was easy to know what to destroy with your knife to get money and items. The remake builds on that by replacing the difference in contrast with yellow marks that look like paint is covering the object. This also applies to points of interest, such as B. Structures that you must destroy to drop down a bridge, or ledges to progress through a stage.

But the rationale behind it is clear. The fidelity is much higher in everything that surrounds you in the game, so highlighting objects in the background with a bright and distinct color is very useful. An exception, however, are the vases, which replace crates and barrels in the castle area. They don’t have a yellow marking, but are still easily recognizable.

Horror elements have a prominent presence

The Resident Evil 4 Remake is pretty much an action game through and through. But in general, the tone leans towards darker environments where Leon often has to use his flashlight, as well as darker sequences around familiar enemies and story moments.

One scene in particular, which I won’t spoil, strongly represents this new horror influence. If you’re not used to the genre, there’s no way to avoid it since it’s part of the main story. Prepare accordingly. This guide on how to get rid of the scare Empty room make new I’m sure there can be some guidance here.

Auto save is now a thing

Great news! You will no longer be sent back to the last used typewriter every time. While the original had a fairly limited save feature when entering certain areas, there is now a proper auto save feature. It’s definitely a welcome addition, especially in locations with large groups of enemies or even boss encounters. Some difficulty options, such as B. the professional mode, but eliminate the option entirely – in case you want an experience more similar to the original in this regard.

Image: Capcom

Prepare for new enemies

If you’ve already memorized all of the classic enemy patterns, I have good news. There are a handful of new enemies to face RE4 Remake including a hulking man who looks like a minotaur wielding a sledgehammer.

There are others that I won’t spoil for you, but in case you’re hesitant at the idea, it’s worth noting that they all feel pretty grounded with the rest of the enemies. Neither looks like they belong to a completely different game, and they’re always fun to fight.

The dealer is more talkative

The merchant is quite talkative in the Resident Evil 4 remake, and he’ll often comment on your purchases with either derision, gratitude, or a bit of both. His voice is also quite different, which may or may not be a shame if you’re an avid fan of the original. However, most of his iconic lines remain, and the new ones fit his take well – considering we don’t really know much about the character.

There is a gacha-style reward system on the shooting range

Remember the shooting range minigame in the original Resident Evil 4? Well it’s back in full swing with some changes behind it. They now take down pirate boxes and avoid sailors as opposed to villagers, there are specific challenges to complete, and the rewards vary quite a bit.

Instead of redeeming rewards for cash, you will now receive different token types based on your performance on each challenge. After getting at least three of these, you can interact with a dispenser machine that will drop amulets for your briefcase. Essentially, these are buffs that become active once you have the spell equipped (you can have up to three). For example, some include increased healing from Green Herbs or a 15% chance to gain additional ammo when crafting a specific weapon ammo type.

As superfluous as it may sound, no, there are no in-game purchases whatsoever. This is pretty much an optional mode, but it makes for a fun change of pace. As a few extra tips, I suggest you pay a visit to the shooting range while being accompanied by either Ashley or Luis. And if you have Spinels lying around, you can exchange them for tokens in the merchant’s shop.

Image: Capcom

Leon can parry now and it rules

A significant and interesting change to using Leon’s knife is that he can now parry attacks with it. The action is useful for many things, and it can be very satisfying to get carried away in the heat of battle. Parrying can save you from a range of deadly attacks, including the chainsaw, but it can also deflect crossbow bolts, dynamite, and more.

Keep an eye on the bottom right corner of the screen where a knife icon will appear whenever the action is possible. It may take a little time and practice to learn exactly in which cases you can use it, but there are many of them.

You can find Clockwork Castellan figures

If you’ve ever wondered what a Ramón Salazar figurine would look like, it’s now a reissue collector’s item. There are 16 of them scattered throughout the game’s chapters, and finding them all will reward you with a new knife. Essentially, they resemble Mr. Racoon’s collectibles in the Resident Evil 2 make new.

The water hall isn’t that bad now

If you weren’t a fan of the castle’s water hall, you’re not alone. Unfortunately, the remake doesn’t replace it with a different sequence, but at least the whole thing is much friendlier. The corridors that Ashley has to traverse alone while you provide cover from afar are much closer to Leon’s, and you don’t have to rely almost entirely on your sniper rifle to keep her from harm.

There are no more QTEs… sort of

Capcom made a fuss about removing quick-time events in the Resident Evil 4 Remake, and true to his word. To a certain degree. You still need to parry in certain sequences to prevent a deadly attack, and there are sections where pressing or holding a button is still the only option available. But at least you don’t have to worry about trying to guess what QTE combinations you would get before a cutscene plays.

Image: Capcom

Luckily there are fewer sexist comments

Ashley Graham was the subject of some pretty horrible and sexist comments in the original, and thankfully that’s mostly gone in the remake. Luis tends to keep such jokes to himself, and Leon is less flirtatious, even with Ingrid Hunnigan. In turn, Ashley has a stronger personality overall; I had grown quite fond of her company by the time I reached the credits. If you were disappointed with the way it was handled in the original, the remake may offer a pleasant surprise.

There’s camouflage, but it’s easy to ignore

Don’t worry, there aren’t any stealth-exclusive stages where you quit the game if you’re spotted or anything like that. While the game encourages you to use the new crouch mechanic and execute enemies from behind at some points throughout the story, you can ignore this entirely and just start blasting.

Did someone ask about side missions?

Introduced as Requests, the Merchant has a few additional quests for Leon. While the original allowed you to shoot blue medallions for rewards, which is also present in the remake, there are now a few additional targets alongside. They’re implemented in such a way that you either know what to do before you enter an area, or you are prompted to return to certain points of a region to tackle them. Sometimes you need to get an item or fight a tougher version of an enemy you’ve encountered in the past.

Inquiring is by far the best way to get your hands on Spinels, which you can then trade in at the merchant’s shop for items that aren’t part of the regular list.

Ashley has different action commands

You can no longer ask Ashley to hide in dumpsters (although lockers are still a thing). Instead, there are now two main commands to use. One of them always keeps her stick right behind Leon’s back, useful for quick escapes, while the other makes Ashley seek cover to stay away from enemies.

As you’d expect, neither is entirely flawless, and it always depends on the situation you’re in and the enemies you’ll be facing. That said, it’s pretty handy after you’ve spent some time with Ashley.

Image: Capcom

You can move while shooting

The original Resident Evil 4 can be played well on modern consoles, but if there’s one aspect that feels dated, it’s the way Leon positions his weapons. When aiming, you can only move the camera, not Leon himself. This takes a bit of getting used to as it hasn’t been common in third-person shooters for years. However, the remake lets you roam freely.

There is also a weapon wheel

Thanks to the newly added weapon wheel, you don’t have to keep opening your inventory all the time (unless you really want to!). It has a total of eight slots that correspond to the D-Pad and one additional slot in each direction. Besides weapons, you can also have grenades here, but health items are excluded.

Leon loots much faster now

Each time you grab an item in the original, the action is punctuated with a screen showing what you just got. This wasn’t a problem per se, but it kept interrupting what you were doing. Now every time you grab something, you’ll see a message in the top-right corner telling you what it is and how much it is.