Resident Evil REmaster REVIEW (PS4, XBO, PC)
Resident Evil is a name that brings a plethora of mixed feelings to my mind. The game was one of the first I ever played, and it opened my eyes to a genre of gaming I didn’t know existed. Capcom would go on to make sequel after sequel, never quite sticking to the same formula, tweaking and evolving it into something the more modern gamer could better enjoy. I’m here to tell you that for all the fun games like Resident Evil 4, and in my own opinion, 5, may be - None hold a flickering candle to their origins, and this HD port has ensured that’s never forgotten.
I’d be kidding myself if I was to write this review as if original in much any way. The game itself has been out for nearly 20 years, and has been experienced on nearly every generation of video games, even seeing some hand-held ports here and there. This version however, with it’s lighting effects turned, and audio remastered, is without a doubt in my mind, the best version of the game to date. Of course, I would also be kidding myself if I said I played with the original control scheme, as that’s aged about as well as you may think.
From the moment the game opens you’re hit with familiarity. Voices, faces, and most importantly, the mansion itself, have never looked better, and they’ve even tossed in a third difficulty option not present in the Gamecube port of the game nearly a decade ago. You may wonder why I keep mentioning how long it’s been, and that’s with good reason. Resident Evil, for all it’s legacy, have spent all this time trying time and again to recapture the essence of this experience, and the only way they were able to do so was simply remaking the same game.
Some may find that a tad embarrassing, but I would venture to say it’s more promising. You see, Capcom, the Capcom that made Resident Evil 6 - They were almost sure that was the way to go with the Resi franchise. This instills hope however, as no matter how batshit the canon may be a few games from now, I would hope the attention this HD port alone garnered will get them honestly considering an HD port of Zero, 2, 3, and Code Veronica. That’s a lot of optimism on my part, but I am excited to feel anything but disdain for this franchise again, so let me have this one, please?
The game, however, is just as you remember it. Ammo scarcity, puzzles, and all. For some, this presents a new slew of challenges, while others will be reliving a classic moment of their memories. Literally, aside from the visual upscale, everything is just as you want it to be. Loading doors build onto the already lovely sense of tension. Berry remains a source of aid throughout your adventure with Jill, and Rebecca helps Chris with the puzzles as she has in the past. Writing this feels like I’m in a time machine, and nothing has ever felt so right.
Whether or not Resident Evil’s HD REmaster is worth the $20 launch price is entirely subjective. As a Resident Evil fan, I would check out most any game in the series and gauge it’s worth later. That said, this game is, and has been available for 20 years. 20 years. If you’ve not found time to play it in 20 years, yes, don’t rob yourself of this experience anymore. Jump in and realize why so many of us swear this is the franchise that solidified a genre, or don’t, and spend another 20 years wondering why so many folks think back on it so fondly while you eat a big, tasty, Jill Sandwich.
Resident Evil REmaster gets a 9/10.
