2023 started off with a bang for horror fans. They got to play the remake of Dead Space, which both critics and fans adored. It was one of the better horror games on the first wave of HD consoles. The original still holds up, especially through backward compatibility via the Xbox family of consoles.
Still, it was great to play it with some modern settings too. The same can be said about the Resident Evil 4 remake. Its various ports are still great, but getting a modern version was also good. Many will be wondering though, of the two big horror game remakes, which was better: Dead Space and Resident Evil 4?
Changes: Resident Evil 4
Both games do not change a lot with their respective remakes. Dead Space is almost like a shot-for-shot remake with it feeling more like a remaster. There are some improvements, like with the meteor turret section, but it lacked surprises overall.
Resident Evil 4’s motto should be “expect the unexpected” because it tries new things to keep players guessing. The core is still there, but it at least feels like it is trying something new comparatively. Some of the changes in the Resident Evil 4 remake actually make the game harder, but that's okay.
Weapons: Dead Space
Resident Evil 4 has a great selection of guns; from the Broken Butterfly magnum pistol to the new Bolt Thrower crossbow. They’re fun to use, but they are standard for a game with guns. As Dead Space is set in the future, it got to be more creative with the weaponry.
From the starting pistol of the Plasma Cutter to the more involved Ripper, Dead Space wins almost by default. Both games at least get post-game content right. It will be hard to resist going through New Game+ mode right away in Resident Evil 4 and Dead Space with fully tricked-out gear.
Main Characters: Resident Evil 4
The biggest change, to Dead Space’s credit, is that the protagonist of Isaac Clarke was given a voice. He did get a voice in the sequels, which is why it felt important to include that upgrade in the remake as well. Despite being able to talk though, Isaac doesn’t say much to himself about his horrific situation.
Leon S. Kennedy is a classic character in the Resident Evil series. He talks more consistently in the remake about his given situations, especially when Ashley is around. Outside of combat, Leon is just a more likable guy in Resident Evil 4 compared to Isaac, who comes across as a bit flat.
Horror: Dead Space
Resident Evil 4 was a new step for the series to turn it more into an action horror game. It was intense at times, but it wasn’t scary and sadly the remake didn’t make the game any more creepy. Dead Space, on the other hand, blended action and horror well together.
Part of that was because Isaac was isolated from people for most of the experience. Also, space is just a spooky place to be. The remake uses new technology from sound and lighting to make an absolutely terrifying game; even though Isaac is technically more heavily armed than Leon.
Environments: Resident Evil 4
The USG Ishimura is a creepy ship in Dead Space and certainly adds to the great horror, but the variety is lacking for environments. That’s something that the other remake has covered, with plenty of incredible locations for players to explore throughout the game.
Players begin Resident Evil 4 in a creepy village, fighting off random citizens for dear life. They then venture off into a castle, check out some mines, and the rest won’t be spoiled here. The game is more engaging because it will keep players guessing for those that never played Resident Evil 4.
Puzzles: Dead Space
Puzzles, in survival horror games, can be hit or miss. Some players may like them if they are well thought out and others may dislike them for getting in the way of the action. Resident Evil 4 falls into the latter category because they are finicky and not fun.
The remake adds more complicated puzzles but not in a good way. The puzzles in both versions of Dead Space make sense for what Isaac is doing on the ship from blasting meteors to fixing a satellite relay.
Bosses: Resident Evil 4
Dead Space did not have many bosses the first time around and the remake doesn’t add any. It’s a shame, really, because, again, a remake of any game should strive to add more things while keeping the core alive. Resident Evil 4 does exactly that and makes what were already memorable bosses for the series better.
Some of them are really intense too like one wherein players have to fight two chainsaw maniacs in a small cramped room while protecting Ashley. The more giant bosses, like the fight with El Gigante in Resident Evil 4, are great too.
Verdict: Resident Evil 4
2023 could not be better for horror fans with both of these remakes. They will also probably be in a lot of top ten lists at the end of the year. As a whole though, even though Dead Space does a lot well, Resident Evil 4 marginally beats it out.
The very idea that Resident Evil 4 tries to change things up was enough of a reason to make it the clear winner. The lack of change was the most disappointing thing about Dead Space and is ultimately what makes Resident Evil 4 the better of the two remakes.
The Resident Evil 4 remake was released on March 24, 2023, and is available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X, and Xbox One.