As the remake of Resident Evil 4 approaches its long-awaited release, details regarding the game's updated story and gameplay have gradually been revealed. Continuing a series' trend of high-quality remakes for classic titles, Resident Evil 4 now approaches a somewhat more modern era of the series, with the original game being far closer to its remake in terms of gameplay than the original Resident Evil 2 or 3. Additionally, as a particularly beloved and popular classic, the legacy of the original Resident Evil 4 leaves much for the remake to live up to.

As a remake, Resident Evil 4 seems to be adhering mostly faithfully to the original game, with a recently released RE4 Remake demo continuing a series trend and letting players experience a new rendition of the game's opening. Like the original Resident Evil 4, the remake shifts the series' balance more in favor of action, with gameplay pushing protagonist Leon Kennedy towards fighting enemies rather than simple survival, as could be the case in games like Resident Evil 2. With the original RE4's variety, gameplay, and occasionally cheesy tone all being fairly beloved among its many fans, the game's remake may manage to outdo the original if it can maintain its best aspects.

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Resident Evil 4 Remake's Release Date Is Fast Approaching

Leon Kennedy standing in a village next to a burning pyre in the Resident Evil 4 remake Chainsaw Demo.

Resident Evil 4 Remake's release is set for March 24, 2023, marking a three-year gap between it and the remake of Resident Evil 3, and a two-year gap from Resident Evil Village. With RE4 remake's pre-orders and different editions already available for purchase on Xbox, PlayStation, and Steam, the game is set up for a relatively smooth release on both consoles and PC. From its initial reveal in June 2022, the game has received several trailers highlighting story and gameplay, with even further buildup to its release in the form of online ARG and, most recently, a short demo that lets players experience RE4 Remake's first sections of gameplay.

The Resident Evil 4 Chainsaw Demo Gives Players A Taste Of The Full Game

A Resident Evil 4 Remake Ganado villager with a potato bag with eye holes over their head and a chainsaw in their hands. Beside them is a staircase, where there is a severed hand lying around.

Recently released on March 9, the Resident Evil 4 Chainsaw Demo lets players experience the game up until the end of the village survival section - around a little more than half of the original game's first chapter. Although originally announced in vague terms, a mini-prequel ARG at babyeagleismissing.com provided plenty of clues for RE4 Remake's demo release date - eventually pointing players to the recent Capcom Showcase's Twitch stream, where the demo's same-day release was announced. Aside from the showy buildup to its release, however, Resident Evil 4's Chainsaw Demo also holds a few curious secrets in its gameplay.

Although it mainly serves to let players try the remake's opening, the Chainsaw Demo has secrets for dedicated players to find. The first relates to the last step of the game's ARG, which requires that players enter the last word of writing on an interactable crude charm in a side room of the demo's first house. Additionally, the RE4 Remake demo has a secret hard mode, which can be accessed randomly or through a secret code. The last secret is in the village - players who discard their inventory before entering will be able to find a fully upgraded TMP that carries over to subsequent playthroughs in an underground passage.

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Resident Evil 4 Remake's Story Makes A Few Changes

Luis Sera from Resident Evil 4 Remake poses in his introduction.

While Resident Evil 4's remake does seem to be sticking relatively closely to the story of the original, there are a few signs that the game will also make at least a few significant changes. The demo, as well as promotional material, has indicated that the remake will keep the original game's characteristically cheesy tone, with Leon spouting one-liners and bantering with other characters, but some of RE4 remake's trailers potentially spoil big story changes. In particular, Luis Sera seems to survive until a much later point in the remake's story than in the original.

Moreover, while the remake looks to be keeping the original's B movie cheese, developers have also stated that the horror elements of the game will also be getting more attention. Some of the game's slightly shifted tone can be seen in the demo and in trailers, with the game's enhanced visuals allowing for darker, more atmospheric environments and more gruesome depictions of Resident Evil's signature body horror elements. In addition to some new mechanics for Resident Evil 4 Remake's Ganados making them more of a threat, the remake seems poised to deliver more of the horror aspects of Resident Evil.

The Gameplay Changes Of RE4 Remake

Resident Evil 4 remake's Ganado Villagers wielding weapons and heading toward the camera's direction.

Among Resident Evil's various remakes, RE4 Remake's gameplay looks to be sticking the closest to the original game, with the same general combat mechanics and inventory systems. There are, however, a few important changes that drastically affect the feel of the game. Leon, for example, can move while aiming in the remake, granting him increased mobility in tense situations, and gains the ability to quickly swap between weapons without visiting the inventory. Perhaps his best new tool comes in the form of his new knife parry, where readying the knife just before an attack lands causes Leon to parry the attack, staggering the enemy and opening them up to a melee strike.

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Aside from reducing controversial RE4 features, like Quick Time Events, the remake also gains a few new systems not present in the original game. Item crafting is expanded beyond healing herbs, now including gunpowder and resources for crafting ammo, similar to more recent entries like Resident Evil 2's remake. In addition, the knife has expanded functionally - aside from parrying, it can also be used to quickly escape grabs, finish off downed enemies, and even for quick stealth kills. The functionality comes at a cost, however, as the knife also has newly limited durability, but can also be repaired or upgraded at merchants.

With the remake of Resident Evil 4 now close to release, it's likely that the game's pre-release promotional cycle is finished - and luckily, the game seems to be handily avoiding many of RE3's worst mistakes. However, remaking a beloved classic is still a tall task, and while Resident Evil 4's remake seems well-poised to exceed expectations, only the game's full release will tell if it managed to live up to the original's legacy.

More: Resident Evil 4 Remake: Leon's Complete Timeline Before & After RE 4

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