TheResident Evil 4 Remakedoesn’t only rely on jump scares to up the fear factor as mainly an action-horror survival game experience. However, theResident Evil 4 Remakehas a lot of fun playing with fans' expectations and potentially had its work cut out to stay scary, especially for manyResident Evil 4veterans.
Thebest jump scares in horror gamesare often about toying with the unexpected, so some might think those who played the originalResident Evil 4may have an advantage for predicting jump scare moments. However, in many ways, Capcom shook things up and added new jump scares to the mix in unexpected places, hitting the nail on the head when creating new scares for players.
RELATED:Why Resident Evil’s Mercenaries Mode Isn’t A Catch-All Success
How Resident Evil 4 Remake’s Jump Scares Compare To The Original Game
In anyResident Evilvideo game, there’s potentially a jump scare around every corner, as often enemies silently creep about and catch players off guard. The same is true of theResident Evil 4 Remake, as like in the original game, Ganados sometimes seem to pop out of nowhere to frighten players. However, what’s clever about theResident Evil 4 Remakeis how it often subverts players' jump-scare expectations. It adds new scare moments whereRE4veterans might think they should be safe, such as when players climb the village tower when the floor suddenly collapses or when players search the seemingly empty village and a Ganado bursts from the wardrobe. In the original, there’s no closet, and players can safely climb up and down the tower with nothing happening. The Remake also adds more scare opportunities to enhance scary moments of the original game, like when the Chainsaw Sisters burst out the wall as players approach, leading to aResident Evil 4easy fight trick.
TheResident Evil 4 Remakealso includes some well-known jump scares from the original, such as the Ganado in the toilet inside the Manor House, the burning man inside the kitchen area of Chapter 13, and when terrifying Regeneradors pop out of the laboratory corridors, one ofResident Evil 4’s scariest stages. Many fans of the original may be pleased to see similar jump scare moments in the Remake, but be equally delighted by the new jump scares that may trick someRE4veterans into a false sense of security.
How Scary Is The Resident Evil 4 Remake?
Although perhaps not thescariestResident Evilgame, theResident Evil 4 Remakeis still up there with the scare factor as it pumps up the horror compared to the original. Well-placed jump scares mixed with often more atmospheric-level design and some gruesome scenarios enhance the horror seen in the original. An example might be in the opening village scene where players get to witness the cop meet a gruesome end rather than only see the after-effects. It also has some tense and creepy moments, like when players must creep past Regeneradors wiggling inside suspended sacks while trying not to wake them.
For some players, one of the Remake’s scariest moments is when playing as Ashley, as her vulnerability often feels scarier and makes for some heart-pounding moments. However, despite the jump scares and freaky atmosphere,Resident Evil 4 Remake’s balance of action, horror, and a strong emphasis on puzzles makes it somewhat more approachable than other horror games, especially for those new to the genre or evenResident Eviltitles. Although what makes a horror game scary is subjective,Resident Evil 4could be considered one of thebestResident EvilRemakesas a game that strikes a balance between fresh scares and experiences while keeping many of the best of the best moments from the original alive.
TheResident Evil 4 Remakeis available now on PC, PS4, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
