You’re standing in a damp, grey village. A man with a pitchfork is screaming something in Spanish that sounds vaguely like he wants to kill you. Your palms are sweating because you have exactly four bullets left and a green herb you’re saving for an absolute emergency. This was the reality for millions of players in 2005, and surprisingly, it’s still the reality for players today. So, is Resident Evil 4 good? It isn't just good; it’s arguably the most influential third-person shooter ever made.
But "influential" doesn't always mean it's still fun to play. Sometimes old legends feel like chores.
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Let’s be real. If you pick up the original 2005 version today, the "tank controls" might make you want to throw your controller out a window. You can’t move and shoot at the same time. For a modern gamer raised on Call of Duty or Fortnite, that feels like trying to run a marathon in deep mud. Yet, there’s a reason Capcom keeps porting this thing to every device with a screen, from the GameCube to the Meta Quest and eventually the massive 2023 remake.
The Genius of the Stress Loop
Most people ask if the game is good because they’re worried about the horror. Resident Evil 4 changed the DNA of the franchise by pivoting from "pure survival horror" to "action-horror." It’s less about jumping at shadows and more about the crushing weight of a crowd.
The game uses a dynamic difficulty system. This is a bit of secret sauce many players don't realize is happening under the hood. If you’re playing like a pro, hitting every headshot and hoarding ammo, the game quietly bumps up the aggression of the Ganados. If you’re dying constantly, it dials back. This keeps the tension at a permanent simmer. It’s never truly easy.
Shinji Mikami, the director, took a huge gamble. He threw away the fixed camera angles of the previous games. He gave us the over-the-shoulder view. This single decision basically invented the modern third-person shooter. Without Leon S. Kennedy’s leather jacket blocking 20% of your screen, we might never have had Gears of War or The Last of Us.
What Makes the Gameplay Click?
It’s the feedback loop. When you shoot a villager in the knee, they stumble. This opens them up for a context-sensitive melee attack—Leon’s famous roundhouse kick. It’s satisfying. It’s tactical. You aren't just spraying bullets; you're managing space.
Leon is a dork. Let's just admit it. The dialogue is peak early-2000s action cinema. He’s a secret agent sent to rescue the President’s daughter, Ashley Graham, from a cult in rural Spain. He drops one-liners that would make Arnold Schwarzenegger cringe. "Where's everyone going? Bingo?"
Critics at the time, like those at IGN and GameSpot, gave it near-perfect scores because it felt like a rollercoaster. It never stays in one place too long. One minute you’re defending a house from a siege, the next you’re fighting a giant salamander in a lake, and then you’re navigating a castle filled with monks in red robes who chant in low, terrifying tones.
The Remake vs. The Original
If you’re asking is Resident Evil 4 good in 2026, you’re likely looking at the 2023 Remake. Capcom did the impossible here. They kept the soul of the original but fixed the "clunk."
- Leon can move while aiming now. This sounds small. It changes everything.
- The knife has durability. You can parry a chainsaw with a combat knife. It’s ridiculous and awesome.
- Ashley is actually helpful. She’s no longer just a "second health bar" you have to babysit; she follows better and has more agency.
The remake is darker. Literally. The lighting is oppressive. It leans harder into the "horror" side of action-horror. While the original felt like a campy summer blockbuster, the remake feels like a nightmare you’re barely surviving. Both are masterpieces in their own right, but for a first-timer today? The remake is the way to go.
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Why Some People Might Actually Hate It
It’s not for everyone. If you want a deep, branching narrative with "choices that matter," you won't find that here. This is a linear experience. It’s a hallway. A very wide, very violent hallway.
The inventory management is a mini-game itself. The "Attache Case" requires you to fit your guns, herbs, and grenades like a game of Tetris. Some people love the organization. Others find it tedious to stop the action just to rotate a sniper rifle 90 degrees so they can fit a fish they found in a crate.
Also, the island section. Ask any veteran fan. The final third of the game takes place on a military island. The atmosphere shifts from "creepy village" to "generic action movie." It’s a bit of a slog. The remake improved this significantly, but the fatigue still sets in.
The Merchant: A Stroke of Brilliance
"Got some rare things on sale, stranger!"
The Merchant is an icon. He’s a hooded figure who appears in the most impossible places just to sell you gun upgrades. He provides the dopamine hit. Every time you find a treasure—a spinel, an elegant mask, a dirty brass pocket watch—you’re thinking about that next shotgun power-up. This "shop" system gives the player a sense of progression that keeps you hooked for the 15-20 hour runtime.
Verdict on the Experience
Is it good? No. It’s a foundational text of the medium.
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It’s the "Pulp Fiction" of video games. It shouldn't work as well as it does. The tone is all over the place. The plot is thin. The villains are cartoonish. But the pacing is flawless. There is never a moment where you feel bored. You are always one bullet away from disaster, and that tension is addictive.
How to Play Resident Evil 4 Today
If you want the best experience, here is the hierarchy of how to spend your time:
- The 2023 Remake: Play this first if you want modern graphics and fluid controls. It’s available on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. It’s the definitive modern version.
- RE4 VR (Meta Quest): This is surprisingly one of the best ways to play the original game. Being "inside" the village makes the scale of the boss fights feel genuinely terrifying.
- The HD Project (PC): If you want to play the 2005 original, get the PC version and install the community-made "HD Project" mod. It’s a labor of love that replaces every texture in the game with high-res photography.
Actionable Steps for New Players
If you’ve decided to jump in, don't go in blind. You’ll waste resources and get frustrated.
First, learn the "stagger and kick." Don't waste ammo trying to kill enemies with body shots. Aim for the head or the knees. When they flinch, run up and hit the melee prompt. This saves ammo and knocks back surrounding enemies.
Second, don't sell your treasures immediately. Look for "combineable" items. If you find a crown and some jewels, wait until you have all the jewels to slot them in. The value triples. It’s the difference between buying a basic pistol and a high-powered magnum later on.
Third, use your map. It marks treasures you’ve missed and shows you where you haven't explored. In this game, exploration equals survival.
Finally, don't be afraid to die. Resident Evil 4 is about learning the "dance" of each encounter. If you get cornered, restart the checkpoint and try a different corner. It’s a puzzle game disguised as a shooter. Once you solve the puzzle of the room, you’ll feel like an absolute god.
Grab the game. Turn the lights down. Check your corners. It’s still the king for a reason.
Next Steps:
- Check your hardware: Ensure you have at least 8GB of VRAM if you're playing the Remake on PC to avoid stuttering in the village square.
- Download the Demo: Both the original and the remake usually have free trials or demos available on digital storefronts so you can test the "feel" of the controls before buying.
- Prioritize the 'Red9' pistol: Once it becomes available at the Merchant, buy it. It's widely considered the most efficient handgun in the game due to its high stopping power.