The original Resident Evil 4, released in 2005, changed action gaming forever. It introduced the over-the-shoulder camera that became the template for an entire genre, balanced action and horror better than anything before it, and delivered one of the most purely enjoyable gameplay experiences in gaming history. It also had some rough edges — an escort mechanic that drove players insane and some tonal inconsistencies that aged awkwardly.
Capcom’s 2023 remake addresses almost all of that while preserving everything that made the original extraordinary. The result is one of the best games released this decade.
Why RE4 Needed a Remake
The original RE4 holds up remarkably well for a 2005 game, but it was designed around limitations that modern players notice immediately — fixed camera angles, clunky inventory management, and an Ashley escort section that turned large portions of the fanbase against escort mechanics as a design concept entirely.
The RE Engine remakes of Resident Evil 2 and 3 proved that Capcom could modernize their classics without destroying them. RE4 was the obvious next step, and the most daunting — the original is beloved enough that any significant change would face backlash.
Combat: Parry, Stealth, and the Knife
The biggest mechanical addition to the remake is the knife parry system. Leon can now deflect enemy attacks with a well-timed knife parry, adding a risk-reward layer to close-quarters combat that the original never had. The knife is also used for stealth takedowns and finishing moves, making it a core tool rather than a last resort.
What Works
- Perfect balance of action and horror — never feels like just one or the other
- Parry and stealth systems add meaningful depth to combat
- Ashley is no longer annoying — a massive improvement over the original
- Separate Ways DLC adds 8 hours of excellent Ada Wong content
- Merchant voice acting is perfect — 'Stranger, huh?'
What Doesn't
- Some iconic original moments are toned down or cut
- Ramon Salazar feels less memorable than in 2005
- Village section ends a little too quickly
Stealth has been added as a genuine option for the first time — enemies can be distracted with thrown bottles, enemies can be isolated and stabbed silently, and entire sections can be played with significantly less combat than the original required. It’s not a stealth game, but the option adds welcome variety.
The knife has durability now, which adds a resource management element — but it also means knife-spamming your way through every encounter is no longer viable. It’s a fair trade.
Ashley Graham: Fixed
In the 2005 original, Ashley Graham — the president’s daughter Leon is sent to rescue — is widely considered one of gaming’s most frustrating escort targets. She gets grabbed, she gets in the way, and protecting her during combat often felt like a chore.
The remake fixes this completely. Ashley is given a proper personality, a genuine character arc, and AI that actually makes her useful rather than a liability. She crouches, hides, finds alternate routes, and contributes to puzzle-solving in meaningful ways.
The famous ‘piggybacking’ section where Ashley carries Leon is also now included in reverse — a small detail that reframes their relationship and gets a genuine laugh.
Good to know: The remake adds a mechanic where Ashley can hide in lockers and dumpsters during combat sections you might want to handle solo. Use it — it makes several sections significantly more manageable.
Is It Actually Scary?
RE4 Remake is darker and more atmospheric than the 2005 original, and Capcom has leaned into the horror elements that the original sometimes played for camp. The village sequences are genuinely tense. The castle’s underground sections are oppressively dark. The regenerators — half-blind monsters that won’t stop moving toward you — are more disturbing here than they ever were in 2005.
It’s not Silent Hill 2 Remake levels of psychological horror, but it’s significantly scarier than the original RE4. The balance between action fun and genuine dread is the best in the series.
The Merchant Returns
Some things should not be changed. The Merchant — the mysterious arms dealer who appears throughout the game to sell Leon upgrades — is one of them. His voice, his lines, his location in seemingly impossible places — all of it is intact and somehow even better in the remake.
New items, new weapon upgrade paths, and a side quest system for rare treasures give the merchant more to offer than ever. Completing his optional requests unlocks exclusive rewards that make the extra effort worth it.
Separate Ways DLC
Released on September 21, 2023, Separate Ways is a premium DLC adding approximately 8 hours of content following Ada Wong through the events of the main game from her own perspective. It’s not a side dish — it’s a full second campaign with its own boss fights, new mechanics (Ada’s grappling hook adds traversal options the main game doesn’t have), and story beats that reframe several moments from the main campaign.
Play order: Complete the main campaign before starting Separate Ways. It contains major spoilers and hits harder if you already know how Leon's story ends.
At its price point, Separate Ways is one of the best-value DLC releases in recent memory.
JoystickVerse Verdict
Resident Evil 4 Remake is the rare case of a remake that improves on its source material without losing what made it special. The combat is deeper, Ashley is better, the horror atmosphere is stronger, and the pacing is tighter. Combined with the excellent Separate Ways DLC, this is the definitive version of one of gaming's greatest games. If you only play one horror game, make it this one.