Must-buy games for the PlayStation 5

With the daunting task of having to remake one of the most critically acclaimed games of all time, Capcom had anything but an easy task on its hands when developing 2023’s Resident Evil 4. Still, in spite of the lofty expectations weighed against it, Capcom has managed to capture lightning twice in making one of the best games of this generation.

For starters, Resident Evil 4 benefits from the full grunt afforded by the PS5 to give every detail, from the character designs to the game’s expansive locales, a serious overhaul. The game runs on the new RE Engine which is particularly noteworthy for its impressive lighting techniques, helping to deliver a game with a lot more atmosphere than its source material.

The gameplay has also been updated for the modern age as it’s now possible for the game’s protagonist, Leon S Kennedy, to move whilst aiming, taking away the tank controls of the original title. To balance things out however, the enemies are now more aggressive, and you’ll have to keep an eye out for any flying projectiles designed to do harm as well, but you can also parry with Leon’s knife this time around to get yourself out of a tight situation.

Outside of the gameplay, the story has been tightened up to present a more cohesive narrative off the back of the Resident Evil 2 remake, and Leon’s character arc at that – the events of that game have taken an immense toll on the character, and Resident Evil 4 takes the time it needs to delve into those more personal moments.

What cements this game as a modern classic even further is the absurd amount of replayability on offer here. The game requires multiple playthroughs in order to unlock all of the costumes, weapons and secrets on offer, and that’s before mentioning the arcade-style The Mercenaries mode which is just pure frantic chaos. For series fans and newcomers alike, Resident Evil 4 is a must-have title.

Reviewer: Thomas Deehan
Full review: Resident Evil 4 Remake