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A car driven by two national policemen with a very Spanish appearance, mustache and peasant attitude. A slip that is forgiven to Capcom since the town would be demarcation of Civil Guard and not of Police. The protagonist, Leon S. Kennedy, pays attention to the conversation, as the agents speak English. They stop and one of them gets out of the vehicle because 'nature calls him', he does not return. So begins this review of the classic zombie game whose action takes place in an unnamed town in Spain and is on sale from today on PlayStation, Xbox and PC.

Resident Evil 4 was a revolution in the decade of the two thousands, horror video games had opted for the formula of fixed cameras, thus needing less power and providing a gameplay very close to the cinematic experience. However, in 2005, Shinji Mikami opted for a twist, standardizing a third-person camera following the action, along with an increase in the importance of forecasting when shooting.

At the time many fans of survival horror and Resident Evil did not like it, but with the perspective offered by a couple of decades, that change made history. Again Capcom comes to put all the meat on the grill, presenting a remake like few, giving rise to a game of ten with very few buts.

The truth is that the formula may not come to surprise so much if you remember details of the original game of 2005, something that is also appreciated since fans will see the essence and moments of the game without altering, although it offers enough graphic improvements, gameplay and design enough to be worth returning to this little peaceful town in Spain.

Francoist coins, a wolfdog that returns favors, a somewhat more rogue Luis, which is why he is from Madrid (and with more Mediterranean looks) and a nocturnal aura, coarse and oppressive in the purest style 'As Bestas'. Because it is impossible not to have reminiscences of the Spanish film awarded with a Goya for best film while touring the different scenarios with Leon.

This remake is on another level, it is a round game even for newcomers, even if you have no idea about the Resident Evil saga and even if zombie-themed games are not your thing. Obviously it is a horror video game but it tends more to action than survival that were, for example, Resident Evil VIII Village or Resident Evil VII.

The essence and narrative remain. Resident Evil 2 government agent Leon S. Kennedy is tasked with getting the president's daughter, Ashley Graham, out of an isolated village in Spain. Instead of encountering traditional zombies, he faces a religious cult that has infected locals with a mind-controlling virus called The Plague. It does contain enough twists and changes to make it feel different, although it's still the classic damsel in distress story.

Although this time, Ashley is less unbearable and her artificial intelligence is much better implemented, although it is true that as soon as you get lost, they are already kidnapping her, but it does not feel like the typical horrible phases of bodyguards that video games usually have. Even some dialogues that aged quite badly, with the occasional sexual allusion, have been rewritten without changing or altering the personality of the characters. Ashley no longer remembers the typical slasher victim, she and Leon more closely resemble Joel and Ellie from The Last of Us.

More Spain than before

The locations feature much more detail, maintaining the inspirations of yesteryear. The forests are clearly inspired by the Galician terrain or northern Spain, while the area of El Pueblo is inspired by the towns of Castilla y León. Taking as reference municipalities such as Montejo de Tiermes, in Soria. Adobe structures located around a church, pens with animals and even the clothes of the villagers.

Without leaving this castillera community, the imposing fortress of Resident Evil 4 Remake looks a lot like the Alcázar of Segovia, a building marked by different historical periods that have shaped its particular form. The fortification has Roman foundations, probably remains of an old castle, with later remodeling, such as the slate roof that Philip II ordered to be made, which gave it a more palatial European style. Hence that aesthetic halfway between medieval castle and royal palace, just like the fortress of Capcom's game.

One of the most surprising details of the recreation of Spain have been the coins of the game, the pesetas, quite anachronistic since the game takes place in 2004, when Francisco Franco, next to the inscription 'Caudillo de España por la gracia de Dios'.

A noticeable improvement in gameplay

Leon does not feel clumsy, nor is he a Fortnite but it is not difficult to get a decent aim when aiming enemies at vital areas. In addition, the enormous customization of the weapons and the different options that exist, adjust to the type of player you are. Pistols, shotguns, automatic weapons, plus knives and a little stealth, the game gives you the freedom to go to sack or try to save on bullets and life. It includes things like the 'Batista bomb' style key that Leon can make if he hits an enemy in the knee while behind and stealthily. A point of comedy that gives a small respite in such a scenario.

Using the combat knife this time is a joy and the emphasis on improving the melee is noticeable. Like shooting and reloading feel fluid, when in the original game, Leon would stand before aiming and pulling the trigger. Now it can be done while moving and even dodging, even parry with the knife to a chainsaw.

Special mention to Spanish characters in the game, such as Ramón Salazar, whose redesign for the remake may remind Hasbullah, and Luis Sera, a former Madrid policeman turned scientist, whose ability to make comments out of place exceeds any expectation. His style, halfway between Spanish heartthrob and Antonio Banderas in 'Desperado', has also been a victim, for the better, of the redesign of the remake. Sporting features and a much more homeland-Mediterranean nose.

The RE engine makes the game shine with much more realistic scenarios and despite the linear, it does not feel passillero. It maintains what worked in 2005, has listened to the criticism that the title had during these years and has added enough to point to this Remake as a work worthy of a ten. Yes, you can rest assured, it is worth getting hold of this game despite the prohibitive prices that the games have lately. Its duration is more than enough to feel that each of your euros, or pesetas, invested in the title have been worth it.

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