After years of endless speculation, Capcom finally confirmed the highly-anticipated remake of Resident Evil 4. Given that Resident Evil 4 is widely considered one of the best entries in the franchise, the confirmation of the remake sparked excitement within the Resident Evil community.
However, it is unsurprising that some are concerned about whether Capcom is up to the task of developing a good remake. While the Resident Evil 4 Remake trailer released at Sony's State of Play did show a peek of the upcoming game, it is still unknown how faithful the remake will be compared to the original game. Luckily for fans, Capcom has a long track record of remaking old Resident Evil games, so fans should prepare themselves to see many changes in Resident Evil 4.
A Modified Storyline
One of the most consistent changes introduced in the remakes of Resident Evil 1, 2, and 3 is the modification of their respective storylines. Out of the three Resident Evil remakes, Resident Evil 1 is the most faithful and is almost a shot-for-shot re-creation of the original, apart from the addition of the Lisa Trevor storyline.
Similarly, Resident Evil 4 Remake could introduce a new storyline to make the experience fresh for veteran players. However, Capcom also has to be mindful of how much change it should introduce in Resident Evil 4's story. It is worth remembering that the 2020 remake of Resident Evil 3 received heavy criticism, given that most players felt that it was more of a re-imagining than a remake. If Capcom wants to avoid the same fate, then Resident Evil 4 should only introduce new plot lines and never cut iconic moments from the original game.
New Characters and Expanded Roles for Old Characters
Another possible change that players should expect in the upcoming remake of Resident Evil 4 is the expansion of the role of minor characters. In the 2019 remake of Resident Evil 2, fans would remember that both Raccoon City Police Department officer Marvin Branagh and gunsmith Robert Kendo received more screen time than in the original. The same is true in the Resident Evil 3 Remake with Carlos Oliveira's extended screen time as he explores the R.P.D., and Tyrell Patrick becomes a valuable ally to Jill and Carlos as they escape Raccoon City.
While it is still unknown whether Capcom will expand the roles of Resident Evil 4 characters in the remake, it would be nice to see Ada Wong as a playable character in the main game instead of a different scenario. Additionally, Capcom, it wouldn't be surprising if a brand-new character is in the pipeline for the Resident Evil 4 Remake, especially since Capcom appears to tease a connection between the Resident Evil 4 and Resident Evil Village.
New Enemy Types and Changes in Locations
While the original Resident Evil 4 featured many iconic enemies such as the chainsaw man and the infamous Regenerador, Capcom may add new enemy types in the remake. It is worth remembering that the addition of Lisa Trevor in the first game's remake heightened the horror experience and gave veteran players a new enemy to face.
Another common change that all three Resident Evil remakes had is the addition of new locations. For example, in Resident Evil 1, players were able to explore a creepy graveyard and the forest behind the mansion, Resident Evil 2 introduced the orphanage, and Resident Evil 3 added a new lab facility called the NEST-2. While it remains to be seen whether the upcoming Resident Evil 4 Remake will add a new location, it is a strong possibility, especially if Capcom is truly establishing a deeper connection between Resident Evil 4 and Resident Evil Village.
Resident Evil 4 will launch on March 24, 2023, on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.