How Resident Evil 4 Changed the Survival Horror Genre Forever

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Resident Evil 4 is noted as a landmark entry in the survival-horror genre, seamlessly combining competent action gameplay and terror.


Innovative design of resident evil 4 It changed the survival horror genre forever.of resident evil The franchise has long been heralded as a prime example of survival horror dating back to the original resident evil 1996. resident evil 4 was responsible for revitalizing the series to prevent its cancellation. re 4 We did more than that. Not only did it excite the crowd, but it created a template for all third-person shooters.

[Warning: The following article contains spoilers for the original Resident Evil 4 which are likely to feature in Resident Evil 4 Remake]

However, the change drew criticism from some reviewers. resident evil 4 Accused of picking up a story More action than horror.The action was pure schrock, with Leon delivering one-liners, displaying amazing athleticism, and even speaking to the camera during the opening cutscene. Some felt that these Hollywood B-movie tropes detracted from the film. RE 4′diluted the horror, and perhaps the survival horror essence of resident evil All series and future survival horror games.

Related: Resident Evil 4 Remake May Bring Back The Series’ Best Characters


Resident Evil 4 redefined survival horror by giving players control

A split image of Leon fighting a regenerator next to a mysterious white bag in RE4.

resident evil 4 Director Shinji Mikami sees survival horror in a very different way than most critics, and sidesteps their trepidation by fully including the action in the game. In the West, there is a consensus opinion that survival horror games continually put players at a disadvantage and keep them feeling helpless. This is, best survival horror game They are typically weak and relatively cumbersome to control. However, Mikami defines survival horror as “A game where fear and exhilaration coexist” (via game informer). By this definition, action is the perfect element to combine with horror.

Resident Evil 4 improvements make RE 4 a standout in survival horror

Leon parries a chainsaw with a gun in Resident Evil 4 Remake

Mikami creates this integration of action by giving the player more control over the camera.In the past resident evil In the game, the camera was fixed in place, not only overcoming the limitations of the hardware, but also providing cinematic staging during the terrifying moments. had to replace this camera system. resident evil 4 Instead, we adopted an over-the-shoulder perspective. This gives players more control over aiming with firearms and directing the action. This shift had the following additional benefits: resident eviltank control It’s more intuitive and hides enemies behind the player to give more realistic fear.

With this change in perspective, re 4 Give Leon a bigger weapon to choose from. The increased firepower adds to Mikami’s “exhilaration” through excessive violence, but this change doesn’t just benefit the game’s action. Abundant resources encourage players to use ammo more often in the short term instead of trying to save it for future situations. This creates tension as players must act decisively to survive. The opening village sequence is a perfect example of this philosophy, pitting Leon against hordes of hive-minded enemies and requiring players to make the most of their limited resources.

resident evil 4over-the-shoulder camera And the intensification of combat served Mikami’s vision for modern survival horror games at the time. But there is no doubt. re 4The development of has spun off so many famous franchises. devil may cry The most infamous example of extreme edgy action, Dead Space and Last of Us credit too re 4 as inspiration for their fear-inducing gameplay. resident evil 4 It shows that the genre should be flexible and willing to adapt.

more: Resident Evil 4 Remake’s New Ganados Mechanics Make It Even Scarier

sauce: game informer, playstation/youtube

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