While the gaming industry in general looks towards the future, there are players who like a dose of retro nostalgia, as evidenced by a fan "demake" of Resident Evil 4 that's been getting a bit more attention recently. One of the things that's currently in vogue right now is modern takes on classic releases. There are plenty of remakes that have been successful, including RE4, showing just how far video game development has come over the years while still giving a nod to gaming's days of yore.
With Capcom's reimagining of Resident Evil 4 selling millions not long after launching, not to mention Bloober Team's upcoming remake of Silent Hill 2, there is definitely still room for the blending of old and new. However, while it's nice to see what a game from 10, 15, or even 20 years ago looks like in this era, there have been a number of studios and fans interested in seeing what happens when the clocks are turned back instead.
Recently, YouTuber Denver Gamer uploaded a video of themselves playing what looks like some NES/Genesis-style platformer, perhaps one not too far removed from Castlevania or Metal Slugs. However, this is not a retro game, but a Resident Evil 4 fan project that has turned the title into something from a bygone era. Like a lot of old-school games, this project, called Bio Evil 4, has a lot of side-scrolling and platforming combined with brutal gameplay mechanics. Viewers will see the trouble Denver Gamer has making it through the first sections of this "de-imagining" of one of the most iconic RE games ever made.
The interesting thing about Bio Evil 4 is that it was actually released a few years ago, with the most recent update being from 2018, long before Capcom's official remake hit digital and physical shelves. While there have been demakes of Resident Evil 4 games in the past, it seems this one, which was developed by Itch.io users Gypopothomas and AwesEmz, has been getting a bit more attention lately. When viewing the download page, there have been a few recent comments left by fans interested in trying out the demake, perhaps because RE4 is back in the gaming limelight.
As one of the most influential horror series in video game history, the Resident Evil name has left a huge impact on the industry. Beginning life in 1996, it's hard to imagine that the franchise would still be going strong after 27 years, but the recent remake, anticipated new entries, and fan creations like the Bio Evil 4 demake show that gamers want more from Capcom's flagship franchise.
Resident Evil 4 is out now for PC, PS4, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
Source: Itch.io