14 DAY TRIAL // Arguably the best Resident Evil game is getting a remake this month. In a year dominated by remakes, ports and re-releases, a Resident Evil remake is the cherry on top for fans of the survival horror genre. One of the most anticipated game releases of March 2023, Resident Evil 4 Remake has just received a brand-new gameplay trailer that shows not just some of the new mechanics and weapons, but also many of the enemies that players will face later this month.
These impressions are based off of a 17-minute gameplay video that we’ve been provided with last week, so keep in mind that we haven’t actually played the game. The hands-off footage offers a deep look at gameplay, as well as many of the quality-of-life improvements, but also includes chunks of boss fights.
The first thing that’s quite obvious from the video is that the visuals have been vastly improved. The lighting and shadows greatly enhance the immersion. The character models have been fully modernized, so even if you’re taking on the role of behind-the shoulder Leon, the improvements are very obvious. Same goes for enemies’ designs, which look more frightening than ever.
Speaking of which, some of the first enemies shown off in the video remind me of a particularly dreadful monster from Nioh 2 with a hard to remember name, Rokurokubi. In Resident Evil 4 are called Ganado and look even more terrifying. Some enemies in the game are inhabited by a parasite, which becomes exposed after certain attacks on the Ganado.
Exposing the body of the parasite makes the Ganado stronger than their normal human form. The parasite uses tentacles to attack the protagonist, but they can be parried with the knife and counterattacked for devastating effects. As shown in the video, one of the best ways to get rid of these parasites is to shoot the weapons they’re holding, including explosives.
The Ganado and their parasites are the least of Leon’s problem though, as there are many other enemies with different types of parasites that are nastier and harder to kill. During the 17-minute video, we’re also shown a wide selection of so-called Acolytes, some wielding shields, other using scythes or even ranged weapons that shoot flaming arrows. Each has their unique weak points and must be tackled differently to prevent Leon from wasting too much ammo.
One other important mechanic is Leon’s close-hand combat, which is very different depending on timing and position of the attack. Sometimes, successfully parrying an attack or hitting an enemy’s weak point leaves them open to fatal strikes with your knife.
In one of the levels showcased in the video, Leon is accompanied by Ashley. Throughout the level, Leon must protect Ashely while trying to reach his destination, which adds another layer of difficulty. If Ashely takes too much damage, she’s immediately knocked out and Leon must rescue her. If she’s taken too far from Leon, it’s game over, so you’ll have to remain close to Ashely as much as possible to avoid leaving her unguarded.
As expected, exploration is rewarded in Resident Evil 4. Throughout many of the game’s levels, players will find blue request notes, which will award Spinels upon completion. To make exploration easier, Leon will be using a boat to reach various areas scattered around the underground lake.
Resident Evil 4 Remake seems to offer players not just a decent arsenal, but also the ability to modify many of the weapons. Speaking of weapons, Leon can store weapons using the typewriter that also saves your progress.
Conclusion
If you’re just as anxious to get your hands on this one just as we are, know that Resident Evil 4 is scheduled for release on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S on March 24.
