Resident Evil 4

 Xbox One
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
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  1. GameCritics
    Sep 14, 2016
    95
    I looked hard for something wrong with this re-release of RE4, but I found… nothing. I suppose some could fault the developers for not adding a quick weapon switch to the D-pad (going into a briefcase to switch weapons has never been ideal) and it’s disappointing to see that the FMV sequences weren’t given the same visual overhaul as the rest of the title. Beyond those small quibbles, however, the game remains as good as it’s ever been. The campaign is the best in the series, the bonus chapter offers a huge amount of new content, and the costumes change the way the game is played. This really is one of the best games ever made, and over a decade later, it hasn’t lost any of its cachet.
  2. Official Xbox Magazine UK
    Oct 3, 2016
    90
    There are rough edges, and a hint of retro, but don't let that put you off a true masterpiece. [Nov 2016, p.77]
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  3. 4P.de
    Sep 9, 2016
    80
    In terms of suspense, pacing or action this still is a masterpiece. But after almost a dozen years visually you can feel the age. So if you played it on any other system, you can pass this one by.
  5. GameSpew
    Sep 9, 2016
    80
    The action is expertly metered against moments of exploration and light puzzling, creating the right balance of highs and lows that promotes extended bouts of gameplay.
  6. ICXM
    Sep 5, 2016
    80
    If you've played the game before it's still worth revisiting.
  7. Eurogamer Italy
    Sep 5, 2016
    80
    Another lazy remaster for consoles that only improves the resolution and the frame-rate. The game itself is great, scary and everything, but for the next remaster we demand a better work.
  8. IGN Spain
    Sep 1, 2016
    80
    Resident Evil 4 is back, and this time it feels more comfortable than ever before. A great videogame and an awesome opportunity to try one of the most decisive titles that changed completely the relationship between horror and action.

Awards & Rankings

81
#81 Best Xbox One Game of 2016
31
#31 Most Discussed Xbox One Game of 2016
48
#48 Most Shared Xbox One Game of 2016

User Reviews

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User Score
8.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 175 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 143 out of 175
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 175
  3. Negative: 19 out of 175
  1. AlexPilgrim
    Jul 15, 2017
    8
    The Xbox One HD port of "Resident Evil 4" runs at 1080p and 60 FPS. Originally released in 2005 for the Nintendo GameCube, RE 4 is a trueThe Xbox One HD port of "Resident Evil 4" runs at 1080p and 60 FPS. Originally released in 2005 for the Nintendo GameCube, RE 4 is a true masterpiece, but feels a bit dated in 2016. This version is based off the PlayStation 2 model which included the Ada Wong missions as well as additional weapons and costumes. Unfortunately, it isn't a definitive edition by any means. Despite the power of current-gen consoles, nothing has been substantially improved. RE 4 for the XB1 is just a very bare bones package that features slightly upscaled graphics. Even the achievements are nothing new. They are the same ones found in the Xbox 360 port.

    The lack of new options or improvements in this re-release is proof that Capcom didn't want to celebrate this masterpiece. It was more of a promotional thing; a primer for "Resident Evil VII". This release is really for those who've never played RE4 before. So if you're a die-hard fan of the game, you may think twice before buying it despite the $20 price tag. I personally think "Resident Evil 4" deserved a true remastering. Nevertheless, the game is a classic and it's still great regardless of age. Overall, I'd rate the Xbox One edition with an 8 out of 10.    … Full Review »
  2. ImBatmanEEEE
    Aug 30, 2016
    9
    Easily my favorite game of all time, and it still holds up.
    Amazing and highly replayable gameplay through three different and fun areas.    Easily my favorite game of all time, and it still holds up.
    Amazing and highly replayable gameplay through three different and fun areas.
    The game is very tense and creepy at times with comic relief spaced nicely.
    If you have not tried this yet I highly recommend buying it now.
    Did not give it a 10 because not a huge graphical/technical enhancement.    … Full Review »
  3. ElSeano89
    Aug 8, 2019
    10
    A game that ranks in my top 15-20 games ever, Resident Evil 4 is as fun and addictive to play now as it was over 14 years ago. The HD remasterA game that ranks in my top 15-20 games ever, Resident Evil 4 is as fun and addictive to play now as it was over 14 years ago. The HD remaster for current gen consoles is beautifully done, bringing the visuals forward a long way. The rest of the game is untouched and there is good reason for that; it is one of the best games ever made.

    RE4 changed the RE series and the shooter genre in a number of ways. It was a stark departure from the games previous entries. The shooting system was an entirely new, over the shoulder stop and shoot affair that required a steady nerve and strategic thinking. The tone of the game couldn't be more different. Whilst before they had tried for gritty horror, RE4 is almost a campy B-Movie that is half action and half thriller.

    But the survival action factor is still there, ammo isn't plentiful and enemies are. Healing items are sparse and on the first play through there is genuine tension in moments where you're outnumbered and running low on ammo. They actually start the game with one such situation, the now iconic outnumbered in the village scenario where wave after waves of "ganados" attack you incessantly.

    There are some genuinely tense moments even when you've played it a million times as I have. That speaks to the quality of the design, the quality of the gameplay and how well thought out everything is. The world is glorious and the detail for its time is astounding nearing Metal Gear levels of small detail. It all helps suck you into a world that is simultaneously ludicrous and enrapturing.

    Ludicrous because the story is just so. They just seemed to say "screw it" with this one and threw whatever at the wall and called it a story. There are hulking one eyed Spanish bad dudes, a midget dressed as a fancy version of Napoleon who lives in a castle that defies any form of engineering logic. This castle contains, but is not limited to, rooms filled with lava, rooms filled with water, a gigantic velvet lined transport trolley and a 60 foot statue that can inexplicably chase after Leon. The game is nuts but its part of its charm. It doesn't take itself fully seriously, I won't say that it is tongue in cheek because it isn't but it certainly seems to get that the story they are trying to tell is unbelievable. The fact they didn't care is part of what makes it great and refreshing. The premise behind RE as a whole is nuts so why not crank it up to 11? Why not push the boundaries of what makes sense in the name of entertainment?

    And the entertainment is huge. Despite all the characters being very one dimensional and not well written they entertain you as much the 20th time as they do the 1st. Leon and Ashley, the games protagonists have basically zero back story provided. They give you a little "RE Refresher Course" cutscene at the beginning and then it's just off to the races. Ashley for example has basically zero character exposition. She's the presidents daughter that you have to save but they never really tell you anything else she just runs around after you screaming for help occasionally. She adds tension in that its game over if she dies (with a small health pool this is a genuine threat) or if she is carried away. She is basically a game play mechanic with a voice actor included.

    But this leads me to my next point and my favorite thing about RE4 is that they do the "end game" better than nearly any game I've ever played. They give you this wonderful path to follow after you finish the game for the first time. Finishing unlocks "Separate Ways" a fun, short set of 5 side missions showing how another main character "Ada" was experiencing the games events alongside Leon. It's clever and well thought out and takes maybe 3 hours to finish. Finishing that unlocks "Special Outfit 2" which is genius. Leon gets a dapper 20's gangster suit but Ashley gets a suit of armor which makes her invincible and when enemies try to carry her away they collapse from the weight. So basically the major source of tension is turned into a hilariously gratifying game play function. It makes the "new game+" run after your first time so much fun. You're maxed out and have great weapons that tear through 3/4 of the games enemies like a knife through butter so you just roam around massacring everything that gave you a hard time that first play through where you were scared, tense and had no ammo/health. Then you unlock the coup de grace and one of the finest video game weapons ever; "Chicago Typewriter". A Tommy Gun with unlimited ammo that does the same damage as a maxed shotgun but fires faster than anything else in game. This quickly makes anything in the game no challenge at all but its so satisfying to cut everything down that gave you a tough time originally.

    There isn't enough room to say all that makes this game brilliant. It's the perfect mesh of great game play and stellar game play design. It is addictive now as it was then.

    It is a timeless action game with a HD rebrush    … Full Review »
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