Reply To: Resident Evil Revival Selection – Official Thread

Let’s get one thing clear — Resident Evil 4 HD doesn’t really have HD graphics. The graphics come straight from the GameCube version with simple upscaling versus a full HD overhaul — a decidedly bad move on Capcom’s part as upscaling without upgrading really shows the game’s ageSuChen presented in its original form, the blurriness of the standard definition presentation allows you to look past the last generation textures and rough edges to see the development team’s original vision, and to appreciate how creatively they worked within the system’s limitations.

Unfortunately, thanks to this quick upscaling job, all of RE4’s graphical shortcomings suddenly have a harsh spotlight shining on them. When closely examining the environments — something you do quite often while scrounging for herbs and ammo — things look shockingly bad. These “HD” graphics — the point behind the port in the first place? — ultimately just make you wish the game had actually received a true HD makeover as the title insinuates. —-IGN

It is the most high-resolution version of Resident Evil 4. Capcom may be one of the top developers in the world, but there’s no denying its love of a quick buck – and Resident Evil 4 HD has been done as cheaply and quickly as possible. It’s a cynical exercise resembling nothing so much as a naked emperor: standing tall with its high-res output, with everyone too astonished to remark on its itty-bitty textures.

Resi 4 HD’s visuals are the GameCube version’s: textures designed to be viewed at a maximum of 480p. Nothing has been done to the game’s assets bar the upscaling, and what makes it worse is that Resi 4, from start to finish, requires you to pay especial attention to your surroundings. It begins with Leon approaching an unknown village through a sparse, scrubby forest, which is dotted with bear traps to snag unwary adventurers, often hidden under patches of grass. You spot these bear traps by looking at the ground.

The blades of grass look like Lego; yesterday’s autumnal leaves are an auburn mush; the grey and black pixels of the bear traps blend into such a swamp, deadlier than ever. What have your eyes done to deserve this?

The problem never goes away. When in Salazar’s castle, there are sumptuous hanging draperies emblazoned with the Los Illuminados crest, intricate and weird designs woven in rich red and gold. There are pictures of Lord Sadler on the walls, and incredible one-time-only sights like a reception hall where the curtains flutter in the wind as you fight scythe-wielding cultists. Look too close at any of them and it’s horrible – and given how many times Lord Sadler’s picture is used, to pick but one example, it soon begins to grate.

Simply up-ressing a game and calling it ‘HD’ might work for some: not here. It’s like looking in the mirror on an extremely sunny day, every lump and bump exposed, the ugly and brutal truth. Leon’s character model, the floppy hair and the stitches on his shoulder holsters, are right in your face: and by the way, don’t forget that this is a ‘premium’ download and you’ll be paying top dollar. It’s part of a pair of Resi remakes with Code Veronica, which, incidentally, looks laughable. — Eurogamer