The upcomingResident Evil 4remake is looking to improve upon Capcom’s 2005 original, genre-defining title in every possible way. Everything from the graphics and gameplay to the overall atmosphere and Shinji Mikami’s writing is getting a complete overhaul so that players both old and new will find themselves immersed in an updated adventure. TheResident Evil 2remake was an overwhelming success, and while theResident Evil 3remake didn’t fare as well, fans are hoping theResident Evil 4remake will take after the former rather than the latter.
But while fans are busy picking apart all the footage shown atCapcom’s recentResident EvilShowcase, it pays to take a closer look at what’s going on at the surface level. Almost all the characters in theResident Evil 4remake have received glow-ups that make them look more realistic and fashionable to the point that some of them look like completely different people. Not all of the characters are given the same love and attention, however, and while some look almost identical as they did 17 years ago, this just goes to show how timeless their designs are.
RELATED:Why Resident Evil 4’s Merchant Was So Iconic
The Unwanted American
Before moving on to the bigger character design changes in theResident Evil 4remake, one must first look at those that look identical to their original counterparts. It all starts withprotagonist Leon S. Kennedy, who looks like a mix of hisResident Evil 4model and hisResident Evil 2remake model. The Leon shown in the trailers is still modeled after Romanian model Eduard Badaluta but now sports his iconic attire fromResident Evil 4. Leon wears blue pants and a tight black shirt which he covers with a sheepskin bomber jacket. As with the original game, it looks like Leon loses his jacket once again not too far into the remake.
The Crazy Locals
Next up arethe iconic enemies ofResident Evil 4, the Ganados- all of whom have updated character models thanks to the RE Engine. Even with the increased graphical fidelity, the Ganados still wear the same drab commoner garbs from the original, which consist of an assortment of shirts, dresses, vests, and pants. The clothes worn by the Ganados are as dirty as ever, but they still give players insight into the lives they once led before the Las Plagas took over their village.
The Imposing Village Chief
Leading the crazed citizens of the village is Chief Bitores Mendez, who is as tall and imposing as ever. Clad in a long trenchcoat and a new hat,Mendez hides his true formfrom onlookers. While the majority of his body is corrupted by the Las Plagas, Mendez’s face still holds some of its key features, the most important and striking of which are his long beard and artificial left eye (the latter of which becomes a key item for players to progress through the game).
Did Someone Call For Back-Up?
The last of the minor character updates are for U.S. government agent Ingrid Hunnigan, who can be seen in theResident Evil 4remake’s extended gameplay trailer. Hunnigan looks just as she did in the originalResident Evil 4and can be seen wearing a black business suit over a white business shirt. SinceHunnigan spends all ofResident Evil 4providing Leon supportfrom an undisclosed location, her appearance didn’t need too many changes for the remake.
RELATED:Resident Evil 4 Remake Will Use Controversial Denuvo DRM
The Striking President’s Daughter
Now on to the bigger character designs, starting with the second protagonist ofResident Evil 4, Ashley Graham. Ashley has received substantial changes to her character design and isnow modeled after Dutch model Ella Freya. Ashley now sports an asymmetrical bob as opposed to her short bob haircut in the original game. She also wears a practical orange coat over her iconic orange turtleneck sweater and green plaid skirt. It seems as though Ashley looks much older than she does in the original game, but whether this correlates to an increase in her capabilities or maturity remains to be seen.
The Questionable Luis Sera
Dr. Luis Sera looks completely differentfrom his original character design on the Nintendo GameCube. His parted hair and devil-may-care appearance still seem to be intact but in place of his obviously Spanish mug is a face that looks more foreign than local. Fans are still divided about Luis Sera’s face model, but he still sports the same Spanish-inspired clothing he wore in the originalResident Evil 4.
The Return of Ada Wong
Just like Leon,Ada Wong made her return to theResident EvilfranchiseinResident Evil 4. Her face looks the same as it did in theResident Evil 2remake since it is still modeled after real-life model Adriana. Her clothing has changed, as she has thrown away her red dress in favor of a red turtleneck sweater - a more fitting attire for her spy escapades. If theResident Evil 4remake aims to honor the original, there is a high chance that Ada’s playable segments, namelyAssignment: AdaandSeparate Ways, will be included in the game at some point.
The Castellan of Salazar Castle
The Last big character change shown in Capcom’s Resident Evil Showcase was that of Ramon Salazar. Despite being only 20 years old,Salazar’s exposure to the Las Plagashas made him look older than he actually is. The removal of his tricorn hat exposes his white hair, which looks more like a powdered wig than actual locks. But thanks to his short stature and purple garb, it becomes fairly easy for viewers to grow accustomed to his new look.
There will undoubtedly be more surprises for fans astheResident Evil 4remake nears its release date. Gameplay reveals, map changes, and new characters all play a part in drumming up the hype for the return of one of the video game industry’s biggest titles. Horror has changed, andResident Evil 4has changed along with it.
Resident Evil 4releases on July 06, 2025, on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
MORE:Resident Evil 4 Remake: 5 Surprises From The Gameplay And Story Showcase
