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I wonder how first-time players to Resident Evil 4 feel about the remake. Are they uncertain what the big deal is, enjoying the game but unable to see what made it so legendary not only within the series, but throughout gaming as a whole? Or do they also find it a breath of fresh air when compared to what a lot of modern games offer? Or perhaps it’s somewhere in the middle? It’s the sort of thing I ponder, as the original Resident Evil 4 influenced so many games that it’s not unlike Ocarina of Time’s influence. Twenty or more years after the context of its release, it’s difficult to see what made it special because the influence has been carried throughout the entire industry.

It is also strange to feel less enthused about the remake than many, while simultaneously being less critical of it than others I’ve seen. Even if you’re judging on Capcom’s incredible output scale, Resident Evil 4 is one of the best titles they’ve released, and an impossibly tall order given the significance of what they’re trying to recreate. This isn’t even about the tone and atmosphere; there are so many small mechanics and secrets that it’d be easy to overlook the details that make the game so spectacular, and as a result feel somewhat empty.

This discussion is sadly incomplete, but hopefully we touched on enough of the large strokes to give you an idea of how we feel and where we stand. No doubt we’ll be coming back to this game several times throughout the year, especially once Game of the Year talks start rolling in.

What did you think of the Resident Evil 4 remake? Comment below or send us an e-mail and maybe we’ll read some of them on the next episode.

Opening theme music by Fallen Prophecy.