Resident Evil HD Remaster Review (PS4)
Introduction
This is the PlayStation 4 port of Resident Evil HD Remaster, which boasts 1080p resolution and 60fps. Other than boosted resolution, this is the same as the PS3 version of the game. This version also available in the Resident Evil: Origins Collection, along with Resident Evil 0 HD Remaster.
Story
The S.T.A.R.S. Alpha Team was dispatched to investigate the mysterious murders happening around Raccoon City. While investigating, they were chased by undead dogs, and were forced to enter a mysterious mansion. Only a few of them survived, which include our two heroes: Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine. As one of them, you need to find a way to escape from this mysterious mansion, while combating against many enemies.
The game's story is good, with some good plot twists. All characters in the game have sufficient exposure, both major and supporting characters. Whether they are likable or not highly depends on to your liking. A better dialogue would have made this game better in terms of character exposure, but it is adequate enough to me.
Gameplay
Before you start the game, there is a new control type added into this HD remastered game, which is Alternate Controls type. This control style allows you to freely move your character using the Left Analog Stick, whether walking or running by how strong you push the Left Analog Stick. You may switch to the original control type, which requires you to push both Left Analog Stick and the X button to run.
This game plays like the classic Resident Evil games, before Resident Evil 4's release. This game places the character that you control in fixed camera style, where it will change when you go to other parts of a room. You can walk or run depending on the situation, or climb on top of certain objects or ladders in the game. You may also do certain actions such as pushing certain objects, interact with the environment, do a 180 degrees quick-turn and other actions. You may also aim your weapon and fire it at enemies. You cannot freely aim like Resident Evil 4, Resident Evil 5, or Resident Evil 6, except pointing the weapon straight, upward, or downward at enemies.
Before starting the game, Chris and Jill have their own pros and cons. Chris has more health compared to Jill, can deal more damage with his knife, has access to a devastating defense item, faster running speed, but has to backtrack more areas to access certain mandatory areas, has less item space, as well as other cons. Jill on the other hand, has more item space, can access a number of the game's early rooms, may use a Grenade Launcher, but has lower health than Chris. Depending on your playstyle, choosing the right character is advised when playing this game as each character has their own pros and cons.
To progress in the game, you need to complete many puzzles in the game, many of which are involving you finding a puzzle item, use it at certain places, combining certain puzzle items together or place it somewhere in order to progress. Many of the game's puzzles are creative, requiring you to read files or examining your environments for clues. Also, many rooms cannot be accessed without using keys, which can be found while exploring and examining objects in the game. Many of the game's puzzle items can only be used by accessing the menu. Saving your game progress requires you to use a special item that allows you to save the game at certain points in the game, albeit they have limited uses. You can find more of this item at other areas, however.
While exploring many of the game's areas, you will find many items to be picked up, such as ammo, herbs, keys, and other puzzle-related items. Most of the time, you will not have enough space to keep all of it, so here is where Item Box helps you. Item Boxes are special boxes where you can store and retrieve items. Most of the Item Boxes are located in safe locations such as save rooms, so you might need to backtrack to keep certain items, retrieve other items, and use them to solve puzzles or unlock doors. Certain items are disposable after using it a number of times, such as keys. This is recommended as you need the extra item slot to get more items as you progress. While in the Status menu, you can equip a weapon, use an item, use a key item to progress in the game, read files, and do other actions. You will most likely open the Status menu a lot of times in the game.
Also during exploring in the game, you will encounter many enemies, mostly are dominated by zombies. Zombies can walk after you and attempt to grab and bite you, but you can take them down with your firearms, or walk past them. Running past them is difficult, as it is risky, but you may save your ammo for bosses if you can do it. If you are being grabbed by enemies, you can attempt to shake them off before damaging you further, or use a defensive item to conserve your health. There are many other type of enemies, such as Hunters, powerful reptilian monsters and zombie dogs, which are fast and undead dogs. However, in comparison to many of the game's enemies and bosses, the zombies are far deadlier and scarier due to one reason: they can revive as Crimson Heads.
Crimson Heads is a new feature in Resident Evil series, where dead zombies can revive into a far more deadlier zombies called Crimson Heads after a certain amount of time, with red skin and long claws distinguishing them from the regular zombies. What makes them dangerous is that they can run after you, unlike regular zombies, as well as able to hit you harder with their claw swipes and grab attacks. There are two main ways to prevent them from becoming Crimson Heads, which are decapitation by using firearms like a shotgun, and burning the dead zombies using kerosene. You can only do this a certain amount of times, as the kerosene needed to burn them is limited.
In combat, you can use your weapons to kill enemies in the game, such as handgun and shotgun. As ammo in this game are limited, it is best to use your weapons wisely. However, there is a helpful new feature in the game, which is the use of Defense Items. Defense Items allow you to escape from a number of enemies grab attacks, such as stabbing a zombie's head with a Dagger. They are rare, and best saved when going in dangerous areas populated with zombies or other tougher enemies. Defense Items also deal good damage against enemies when used, so it can be considered as a good offensive strategy, following it up with a good shotgun shot.
As you progress in the game, you will also encounter bosses, which are tougher than regular enemies. They are exceptionally dangerous, but you can take them using conventional firearms, or using other methods to beat them easily. It is recommended to bring a healing item or two in case of emergencies. Some bosses may have a particular weakness, such as one particular large plant monster is weak against fire.
Overall, this game's gameplay is mostly great. A variety of deadly monsters to be fought or avoided, many creative puzzles, provides good survival horror experience, and most of all, the game is terrifying enough. Playing both characters are also different enough to distinguish both character's stories and abilities in the game. Although both characters travel the same path in the game, their stories, side-stories, endings, and other factors playing each character a unique experience. The only one complaint I have is the absence of the dodge button, which was first featured in Resident Evil 3: Nemesis, and is also absent in Resident Evil Code: Veronica X. I personally think it is to balance the game itself, as the dodge feature is pretty overpowering in Resident Evil 3: Nemesis. To compensate the lack of the dodge feature, the defensive items are featured in this game as an alternate way to dodge certain enemies's attacks, albeit more limited means. Backtracking is also a major issue to players who do not like backtracking, Regardless, the overall gameplay is solid, especially with the new controls.
Graphics
Compared to other HD remastered games like Devil May Cry HD games, this game has amazing remastered graphics. The pre-rendered backgrounds especially, is a major highlight that shows the graphical prowess that the original GameCube release can handle during it's original release. Seeing it in HD makes it even better. Character models such as the human characters and enemy models like the zombies and other B.O.W.s are greatly designed as well.
Sound
The soundtrack is creepy to the game's atmosphere. Creepy and haunting, yet fitting at the same time. Many of the game's themes are haunting, even the save room theme as well.
Voice acting is only average of quality. Not too good, not too bad either. Some of the voice actors did good job, others did averagely. Regardless, it is still better than other bad voice acting in other games.
Replay Value
This game has good replay value, as it offers two different playthroughs using two different characters with their own stories. You may also opt to obtain all endings for both Jill and Chris, which can be achieved by fulfilling certain conditions while playing the game.
Once completing the game in Normal mode, you can play the game again in a new mode called Real Survival mode. In this mode, Item Boxes are not linked together, the game's difficulty is set to Hard and less items. This means that you have to memorise which items to bring or keep at specific Item Boxes to prevent more backtracking. Completing Real Survival mode unlocks Invisible mode, where enemies are invisible except for certain circumstances.
You may also opt to play the game to unlock various endings, or get all Trophies. The Trophies are no pushover, as some can be really challenging to those who are not good with the classic Resident Evil games, such as finishing the game within 3 hours in Normal mode, or complete the game without saving the game once.
Conclusion
Ever since I played this game on PS3, this is now my third favourite Resident Evil game, with Resident Evil 4 being the top favourite and Resident Evil 3: Nemesis as my third favourite. The PS4 version makes the game look much better than usual. This game is one classic example on how a survival horror game should be, with solid gameplay, new gameplay features like Crimson Heads and defensive items, incredible graphics. amazing creepy and haunting atmosphere, and good controls.
However, the game's gameplay may not appeal to everyone's tastes, as the game's gameplay style is certainly not modern, as the gameplay is largely similar to the first three Resident Evil games and Resident Evil Code: Veronica X. Those who do not like those older Resident Evil games may not like this game as well. Backtracking may be an issue for those who dislikes backtracking to previous areas in a game, or for those who likes more faster pacing game like Resident Evil 4 or Dead Space games. Despite those issues, this game will remain as one of my top favourite of survival horror games.
Score
Story: 9/10
Gameplay: 9/10
Graphics: 9/10
Sound: 9/10
Final Score: 9.0/10.0 or 36/40.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Simple, yet engaging storyline.
- Well-developed and likable characters.
- Incredible survival horror experience.
- Both characters offer unique playthroughs with their own pros and cons.
- Amazing gameplay.
- Many scary and suspenseful moments.
- Variety of enemies to be fought and avoided.
- Good new controls.
- Amazing HD remastered graphics.
- Creepy and haunting soundtrack as well as sound effects.
- Good replay value, if you can withstand the horror.
Cons
- Average dialogue quality.
- Average quality of voice acting.
- Most likely may not appeal to players who do not like the classic Resident Evil games's gameplay style.
- Possible backtracking issues.
**Screenshots are from official PlayStation game page.
This is the PlayStation 4 port of Resident Evil HD Remaster, which boasts 1080p resolution and 60fps. Other than boosted resolution, this is the same as the PS3 version of the game. This version also available in the Resident Evil: Origins Collection, along with Resident Evil 0 HD Remaster.
Story
Explore the mystery mansion and it's surrounding areas.
The S.T.A.R.S. Alpha Team was dispatched to investigate the mysterious murders happening around Raccoon City. While investigating, they were chased by undead dogs, and were forced to enter a mysterious mansion. Only a few of them survived, which include our two heroes: Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine. As one of them, you need to find a way to escape from this mysterious mansion, while combating against many enemies.
The game's story is good, with some good plot twists. All characters in the game have sufficient exposure, both major and supporting characters. Whether they are likable or not highly depends on to your liking. A better dialogue would have made this game better in terms of character exposure, but it is adequate enough to me.
Gameplay
Survival horror at it's finest.
This game plays like the classic Resident Evil games, before Resident Evil 4's release. This game places the character that you control in fixed camera style, where it will change when you go to other parts of a room. You can walk or run depending on the situation, or climb on top of certain objects or ladders in the game. You may also do certain actions such as pushing certain objects, interact with the environment, do a 180 degrees quick-turn and other actions. You may also aim your weapon and fire it at enemies. You cannot freely aim like Resident Evil 4, Resident Evil 5, or Resident Evil 6, except pointing the weapon straight, upward, or downward at enemies.
Before starting the game, Chris and Jill have their own pros and cons. Chris has more health compared to Jill, can deal more damage with his knife, has access to a devastating defense item, faster running speed, but has to backtrack more areas to access certain mandatory areas, has less item space, as well as other cons. Jill on the other hand, has more item space, can access a number of the game's early rooms, may use a Grenade Launcher, but has lower health than Chris. Depending on your playstyle, choosing the right character is advised when playing this game as each character has their own pros and cons.
To progress in the game, you need to complete many puzzles in the game, many of which are involving you finding a puzzle item, use it at certain places, combining certain puzzle items together or place it somewhere in order to progress. Many of the game's puzzles are creative, requiring you to read files or examining your environments for clues. Also, many rooms cannot be accessed without using keys, which can be found while exploring and examining objects in the game. Many of the game's puzzle items can only be used by accessing the menu. Saving your game progress requires you to use a special item that allows you to save the game at certain points in the game, albeit they have limited uses. You can find more of this item at other areas, however.
Many of the game's puzzles are creatively done, yet can be mind-challenging to some players.
Also during exploring in the game, you will encounter many enemies, mostly are dominated by zombies. Zombies can walk after you and attempt to grab and bite you, but you can take them down with your firearms, or walk past them. Running past them is difficult, as it is risky, but you may save your ammo for bosses if you can do it. If you are being grabbed by enemies, you can attempt to shake them off before damaging you further, or use a defensive item to conserve your health. There are many other type of enemies, such as Hunters, powerful reptilian monsters and zombie dogs, which are fast and undead dogs. However, in comparison to many of the game's enemies and bosses, the zombies are far deadlier and scarier due to one reason: they can revive as Crimson Heads.
Many dangerous monsters lurk in this game, like a giant poisonous snake and zombies.
In combat, you can use your weapons to kill enemies in the game, such as handgun and shotgun. As ammo in this game are limited, it is best to use your weapons wisely. However, there is a helpful new feature in the game, which is the use of Defense Items. Defense Items allow you to escape from a number of enemies grab attacks, such as stabbing a zombie's head with a Dagger. They are rare, and best saved when going in dangerous areas populated with zombies or other tougher enemies. Defense Items also deal good damage against enemies when used, so it can be considered as a good offensive strategy, following it up with a good shotgun shot.
As you progress in the game, you will also encounter bosses, which are tougher than regular enemies. They are exceptionally dangerous, but you can take them using conventional firearms, or using other methods to beat them easily. It is recommended to bring a healing item or two in case of emergencies. Some bosses may have a particular weakness, such as one particular large plant monster is weak against fire.
Overall, this game's gameplay is mostly great. A variety of deadly monsters to be fought or avoided, many creative puzzles, provides good survival horror experience, and most of all, the game is terrifying enough. Playing both characters are also different enough to distinguish both character's stories and abilities in the game. Although both characters travel the same path in the game, their stories, side-stories, endings, and other factors playing each character a unique experience. The only one complaint I have is the absence of the dodge button, which was first featured in Resident Evil 3: Nemesis, and is also absent in Resident Evil Code: Veronica X. I personally think it is to balance the game itself, as the dodge feature is pretty overpowering in Resident Evil 3: Nemesis. To compensate the lack of the dodge feature, the defensive items are featured in this game as an alternate way to dodge certain enemies's attacks, albeit more limited means. Backtracking is also a major issue to players who do not like backtracking, Regardless, the overall gameplay is solid, especially with the new controls.
Graphics
Amazing HD remastered graphics.
Sound
Creepy and fitting soundtrack. Average voice acting quality, however.
Voice acting is only average of quality. Not too good, not too bad either. Some of the voice actors did good job, others did averagely. Regardless, it is still better than other bad voice acting in other games.
Replay Value
Good replay value, if you can stomach the horror again.
Once completing the game in Normal mode, you can play the game again in a new mode called Real Survival mode. In this mode, Item Boxes are not linked together, the game's difficulty is set to Hard and less items. This means that you have to memorise which items to bring or keep at specific Item Boxes to prevent more backtracking. Completing Real Survival mode unlocks Invisible mode, where enemies are invisible except for certain circumstances.
You may also opt to play the game to unlock various endings, or get all Trophies. The Trophies are no pushover, as some can be really challenging to those who are not good with the classic Resident Evil games, such as finishing the game within 3 hours in Normal mode, or complete the game without saving the game once.
Conclusion
One of the epitomes of survival horror games.
However, the game's gameplay may not appeal to everyone's tastes, as the game's gameplay style is certainly not modern, as the gameplay is largely similar to the first three Resident Evil games and Resident Evil Code: Veronica X. Those who do not like those older Resident Evil games may not like this game as well. Backtracking may be an issue for those who dislikes backtracking to previous areas in a game, or for those who likes more faster pacing game like Resident Evil 4 or Dead Space games. Despite those issues, this game will remain as one of my top favourite of survival horror games.
Score
Story: 9/10
Gameplay: 9/10
Graphics: 9/10
Sound: 9/10
Final Score: 9.0/10.0 or 36/40.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Simple, yet engaging storyline.
- Well-developed and likable characters.
- Incredible survival horror experience.
- Both characters offer unique playthroughs with their own pros and cons.
- Amazing gameplay.
- Many scary and suspenseful moments.
- Variety of enemies to be fought and avoided.
- Good new controls.
- Amazing HD remastered graphics.
- Creepy and haunting soundtrack as well as sound effects.
- Good replay value, if you can withstand the horror.
Cons
- Average dialogue quality.
- Average quality of voice acting.
- Most likely may not appeal to players who do not like the classic Resident Evil games's gameplay style.
- Possible backtracking issues.
**Screenshots are from official PlayStation game page.
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