Resident Evil HD Remaster Reviews
In the dawn of the new gen console, we've already seen plenty of HD remakes, some perhaps needed more than others. Resident Evil HD Remaster is the latest in line with improved HD visuals and audio, not to mention a new control scheme, the classic lives on as we once again enter survival horror.
Resident Evil HD Remaster is a time machine that takes you back to an era when horror games were great. This is the gold standard of survival horror.
At the end of the day, Resident Evil is still the same great game that it was when it released on the Nintendo Gamecube. The game looks good at 1080p and it's great for those wanting to relive the mansion incident or for those that want to enter the survival horror for the first time.
The makeover of Capcom's 1996 title Resident Evil proved more than a pleasing, it felt like a brand new experience. Resident Evil: HD improved the significant components in any survival horror game and exaggerated them (for the better).
When returning to Resident Evil 1, some obvious flaws are apparent given the title’s age, such as the game’s tank-like controls, often awkward camera and downright cheesy dialogue… But in a bizarre way that adds to the charm of the title – The thematic tension you feel when exploring the manor… The fear you feel around every corner… The tension of solving a puzzle in the nick of time or making that narrow escape… Well, there’s nothing quite like it nowadays.
Resident Evil on the Switch is a familiar experience with some excellent gameplay that can be enjoyed in handheld mode. The few flaws it has shouldn't detract, but the price might.
I’m glad I finally got around to playing Resident Evil, a lot of mechanics still hold up and the overall experience was challenging and suspenseful. Despite issues I had with the nineteen-year-old mechanics not adapting very well to modern games, such as pre-rendered backdrops with set camera angles, a very limited item stash, and awkward combat, I enjoyed the experience. With options for both new and old fans of the series, Capcom has adapted to everyone without altering the core-gameplay of the original game – Difficulty settings, visual ratio and prefered control methods will allow everyone to play the game whichever way they feel the most comfortable.
Though imperfect, Resident Evil HD Remaster is a good update to a now-classic remake. The core game holds up rather well after more than a decade, and when compared to some of its contemporaries, it's still gripping in the action and scares. The improvements to the controls help greatly, and the various technical options ensure that just about everyone gets a near-perfect version of the remake. The compression artifacts are disappointing to see, especially when compared to the work done on the polygonal elements, and some of the sounds could have been done better. Those elements don't cripple the gameplay, and fans of survival-horror will be happy to experience this, especially if they didn't try it on the Nintendo consoles.
Still great almost twenty years later.
Now that we're barrelling, battle-biceps exposed, into the conclusion of this critique/ nostalgia trip, I feel I must briefly attempt to convince you that a remaster of a remake of a nearly two decade old PS1 game is relevant by today's bustling gaming standards. To summarise it simply, it's about how RE's limitations add measurable impact to your choices. It's about the exploration and puzzle solving sans omnipresent hand-holding. These concepts are rare attributes in today's AAA gaming scene. And when laced with enhanced visuals and a friendlier control scheme, RE HD Remaster becomes a precious survival experience for the nostalgic and a necessary one for the newcomer.
It's clear from the start that, without a doubt, this is the best version of Resident Evil out there. While some of the game's legacy design choices may be hard to stomach in 2015, Capcom has ensured this gothic horror adventure is more approachable than ever before. By adding a no tank-control option and new Very Easy mode for newcomers, there is no longer any excuse to let this survival horror classic shamble on by.
Resident Evil HD Remaster is a decent remake of the original survival horror title, retaining the challenging puzzles and combat, while adding the new control scheme or the easy mode. Unfortunately, its overhauled aspects aren't that impressive, so don't go in with high expectations, as there are still plenty of confusing sequences, annoying door opening animations, and other relics of the past.
Resident Evil HD Remaster is just as good as the original in most ways, and in others better. Resident Evil HD feels great, looks great, and the controls are wonderfully remade for the newer systems. It can get a little hard at times figuring out your way, but that is what makes Resident Evil one of the hardest, yet most accomplished games in the series to have ever been released.
REmake's HD re-release is certainly worth the price of admission, especially for those who never played the Gamecube-exclusive original, but I'm hoping that beyond entertaining and scaring us, the game serves as a reminder to Capcom on what the next Resident Evil needs to be more like.
Despite shortcomings, the remake of the first Resident Evil title is a tense, exciting romp through a mansion that has a ton of creepy secrets. There are definite signs of aging here that make me appreciate current day luxuries, but once I got past those I enjoyed Resident Evil's puzzles, scares and horrors.
Resident Evil’s flaws are every bit as glaring today as they were back in 2002. The controls, the awkward camera and the game’s item management are all sources of irritation. And yet, despite these issues, Resident Evil HD is still an undeniable classic. No other survival horror game has managed to channel the same compelling level of tension.
This HD remaster of a remake is a remarkable homage to the original survival horror masterpiece to be enjoyed by fans of the original PS1 game, the GameCube remake or even complete newbs. Some of the mechanics like the dated inventory system can and will frustrate, but the overall journey is a rewarding one through one of gaming's most important games. Can we finally have that remake of Resi 2 now please, Capcom?
Resident Evil HD is a remake done right. Rather than bend over backwards to please a new generation of gamers, it proudly sticks by its roots and is better because of it. Those looking to try something "new" should look to the past with this spot-on remaster.
All these years later, Resident Evil remains an excellent survival-horror game. The puzzles are still good, the brief bouts of action are still tense, and the scares still deliver even if you know about them beforehand. The appeal of this port is the fact that the game can now be portable, so the benefits of the smaller screen really come into play. It might have slightly longer load times in some areas, but if you want to play the remade classic on the go, this is a well-done port.
Hopefully this is the start of something great and the Gamecube's Resident Evil 0 receives the same treatment next, and a remake/port of Resident Evil 2 and 3 would be great, so here's hoping.