No IP commands the attention or respect that Resident Evil has received among horror games. Having sold nearly 150 million units, it is also Capcom’s biggest IP, relevant to this day through new entries and remakes of old classics.
Last year, Capcom released the remake of Resident Evil 4. This entry became an immediate hit, living up to the legacy of its predecessor. Following the release, the original game celebrated its 19th anniversary recently, marking a major milestone for the series.
Why it matters: This entry laid the groundwork for Resident Evil that shaped the future entries until Capcom returned to the first-person perspective with the seventh title.
Resident Evil 4 still offers a compelling experience for a game that is nearly two decades old. While aspects like the game’s controls and mechanics might not be up to par with modern standards, it is still easy to see why this release was such a big deal in 2005.
As the first game in the series to get rid of the fixed overhead camera, Resident Evil 4 marked an important transition for Capcom. The game was a huge success and is often credited for this camera perspective becoming popular industry-wide.
This camera took players closer to the action, adding a new layer of immersion and excitement to each encounter. The story also resonated with the fandom, with Leon S. Kennedy reprising his role as the lead protagonist.
Tasked with protecting the president’s daughter, Leon faced his toughest mission in this game. To compete with the various monsters plaguing the world of Resident Evil 4, the protagonist had access to a wide range of weapons.
Weapons like a basic knife, a trusty handgun, and the PRL 412 added depth to the game’s combat system, while a large enemy variety kept the encounters interesting throughout the 12-15 hours main story.
Overall, Resident Evil 4 was ahead of its time. With a fresh coat of paint in the form of the recent remake, the game shines again, allowing nostalgic fans to try it from a new perspective.
In a stacked year like 2023, Resident Evil 4 Remake was among the highest-rated titles. It was also nominated for Game of the Year despite contentions over the game’s position as a re-release.
The remake has sold over 5 million units, amplifying the original game’s best attributes and fixing many of its problems. This success has encouraged Capcom to consider even more remakes in the future.
Nineteen years later, many Resident Evil games have come and gone. Yet, none has established a fandom quite like Resident Evil 4. We expect this to remain the case for many more years since Capcom’s work on this entry has stood the test of time two decades later.
