The Resident Evil 4 remake is a reimagining of the original third-person survival horror title by the same name, released back in 2005. Coming to PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, Resident Evil 4 is set to release this March.
In the Resident Evil 4 remake, you take on the role of U.S. government agent Leon Kennedy who is tasked with rescuing the President's daughter, Ashley Graham. Leon's journey takes him to an isolated village in rural Spain which is infested with parasite-worshipping cultists.
The title offers Resident Evil's signature combination of third-person over-the-shoulder action, survival-oriented resource management, and stealth gameplay. This latest iteration of Resident Evil 4 also includes a range of modernizations, including improved graphics, more detailed character designs, and several gameplay tweaks. Read on to learn more about what to expect from the Resident Evil 4 remake.
Resident Evil 4 remake cut to the chase
- What is it? A modern remake of survival horror staple Resident Evil 4
- What can I play it on? PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC
- When can I play it? March 24, 2023
Resident Evil 4 remake release date and platforms
The Resident Evil 4 remake is set to release on March 24, 2023, for PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
Unfortunately, it looks like the title will not be available on Xbox Game Pass nor will it be playable on Xbox One.
Resident Evil 4 remake trailers
Latest trailer
Capcom revealed a new trailer for the Resident Evil 4 remake during PlayStation's State of Play showcase on February 23, 2023. The aptly named 3rd trailer teases the Resident Evil 4 remake's fluid third-person combat, as well as snippets from the game's gorgeous cutscenes.
In one particularly exciting sequence, Leon and Luis find themselves frantically hurtling down a mine shaft, forced to fight off a horde of cultists as they plummet to their destination. We also get to enjoy some of Leon's classic one-liners as well as some top-notch villain monologuing.
More trailers
Despite its imminent release, relatively few trailers have dropped for the Resident Evil 4 remake so far. The State of Play June 2022 announcement trailer (opens in new tab) can be found on the official PlayStation YouTube channel (opens in new tab) along with a second trailer (opens in new tab) that focuses more on the main story. There is also a five-minute-long gameplay trailer (opens in new tab) which can be found on GameSpot’s Youtube channel.
Resident Evil 4 remake story and setting
The Resident Evil 4 remake has you take on the role of Leon Kennedy, an agent of the US government and part of a special task force opposed to the nefarious Umbrella Corporation. Kennedy has been ordered to recover the President’s daughter, Ashley Graham, from sinister cult Los Illuminados.
His quest for Ashley leads Leon to a village in rural Spain, full of farmers who have since become infected with a mind-controlling parasite that they call Las Plagas. Unfortunately, it looks like Ashley has also been infected by this parasite and that Los Illuminados intend to use her as a means to control the President of the United States.
As you can see, the stakes are pretty high. Leon will have to team up with locals, track down the cult leaders, and unravel the source of the Las Plagas conspiracy.
Resident Evil 4 remake gameplay
The Resident Evil 4 remake combines third-person over-the-shoulder action with stealth elements and inventory management to deliver a tried-and-true survival horror formula. In addition to these Resident Evil staples, the Resident Evil 4 remake boasts some welcome quality-of-life improvements, including additional control schemes and improved menus and graphics.
The title also brings with it some brand-new additions, including brand-new sidequests, new enemy types, and new parry mechanics, which allow Leon to block attacks with his knife. Capcom has also seen fit to avoid Quick-Time events in the remake. Ashley will also no longer have a health bar, but, instead, will enter a “downed state” if she takes too much damage. If you fail to revive her, and she gets hit again while in this state, she’ll die. This is, in the words of a Capcom representative, intended to make her feel “more like a natural companion” and “less like a second health bar to babysit” (via IGN (opens in new tab)).
The “attache case” inventory management system from the original will be making a return along with The Merchant. As you might expect, he’s the man to see if you want to buy new items, sell superfluous gear, or upgrade existing equipment.
Resident Evil 4 remake news
Resident Evil 4 remake developer announces demo and DLC
In its latest trailer (opens in new tab) for the Resident Evil 4 remake, Capcom made two major announcements. First off, it looks like "The Mercenaries" challenge mode is returning. Players will be able to enjoy Resident Evil 4's take on a 'horde mode' gratis, as part of a free piece of post-launch DLC
Capcom has also announced a "special demo" for the game. Though it's yet to give precise dates for either release, the trailer assures us that the demo is, at least "coming soon".
Resident Evil 4 developer hints at the return of an infamous controller.
In a February 2023 interview for Game Informer’s YouTube channel (opens in new tab), Resident Evil 4 producer Yoshiaki Hirabayashi hinted that Capcom may remake the infamously silly chainsaw controller. The original chainsaw controllers, made in conjunction with the original release of Resident Evil 4 in 2005, were absurd, over-the-top peripherals that could easily have been confused for actual chainsaws.
