Resident Evil 4, launching this Friday, March 24, is a remake of the acclaimed original. It preserves the essence of 2005’s survival horror while introducing modernized gameplay, a reimagined storyline, and highly detailed graphics.
We asked Game Director Yasuhiro Ampo, Sound Director Hiroshi Tamura, and Art Director Hirofumi Nakaoka how they harnessed the PlayStation 5’s unique capabilities, including 3D audio, adaptive triggers, haptic feedback, and high fidelity. stunning graphics to create the game on PS5.
iGamesNews: What were your first impressions when you discovered the power and capabilities of the PS5 from a developer’s perspective?
Yasuhiro Ampo (director): Improved data read speed allows the game to handle larger volumes of assets, while generating richer graphics and reducing load times. Immersive horror is one of the key elements of the Resident Evil series, so it’s extremely beneficial that players can remain uninterrupted during their gameplay, even during scene transitions.
3D audio creates realistic soundscapes in games and it is an essential component that brings something new to evoke fear and horror. How did you leverage 3D audio in RE4 to craft an even more terrifying audio experience?
Hiroshi Tamura (sound director): 3D audio was essential in shaping the audio of RE4. In moments of silent tension, we dynamically layer 3D sounds, such as the uneven creaking of wooden houses settling or other subtle bass noises produced by Ambisonics audio (a type of 3D audio format) . In intense combat sequences, we’ve made sure most sounds are played as object-based 3D audio, so enemy or object noises can be heard behind the wall or upstairs above. Our goal was to create an immersive experience by amplifying the suspense and building a three-dimensional soundscape. Also, all the music in this game was produced and mixed on 7.1.4 channels.
Game controls in RE4 have also been refined and modernized. How did you leverage unique PS5 features such as adaptive triggers and in-game haptic feedback?
Yasuhiro Ampo (director): We wanted players to share the feeling that the game’s main protagonist, Leon, felt inside the game. For example, the DualSense controller will vibrate and make sounds in complex ways when Leon reloads a gun. The resistance of the adaptive trigger also changes depending on the weight of the gun.
With updated graphics, RE4 enhances the original game’s sense of isolation and haunting environments. How did the PS5 help you achieve this?
Hirofumi Nakaoka (art director): While preserving the distinctive character of each area of definition – which is at the heart of the original Resident Evil 4 – we have modernized each location to match the capabilities of the PS5, so players feel the chilling isolation as they explore. the isolated European village surrounded by a forest. We didn’t just want to make the environment darker to evoke fear, but we emphasized shadows and silhouettes, rather than light, to capture the essence of horror. This requires a console capable of producing high quality lighting. In addition to shadows, we also worked hard to capture the dynamic nature of the environment, such as grass and trees moving with the wind or fog to represent stagnant air. These kinds of precise environmental details can only be unlocked with the power of the PS5.
What are the things you wanted to change or didn’t want to change in this remake?
Yasuhiro Ampo (director): I played the original Resident Evil 4 before the development of the remake, and felt there was room to refresh the game controls, story, and characters, to be in line with the level of current generation games. So those are some of the areas where we’ve made modern improvements. On the other hand, we only made small changes to the core gameplay elements of the original Resident Evil 4, such as aiming and shooting, resource management, and weapon upgrades. These are still as enjoyable today, so we’ve made some slight improvements to expand the gameplay while retaining the essence of the original game’s direction.
As a gamer, which PS5 feature makes you the most excited? Or what do you think makes the gaming experience more immersive?
Yasuhiro Ampo (director): Personally, the DualSense controller. You can hear the radio coming through the controller speakers, you can feel the gun in your hands with the haptic feedback, and you can see how much health you have left because the controller lights up when playing in the dark . These are fun little features that add up to a great gaming experience.
