Press Start's GOTY 2023 #2 - Resident Evil 4

It’s time for our annual countdown to award the very best games this year had to offer. Over the next ten days, we’ll count down our top ten games of 2023.

As always, the votes of each Press Start team member, weighted from #10 through to #1, were collated to compile our collective very best for the year that was. Games worthy of one’s top spot would be awarded the maximum of 10 points and the values would descend down to their tenth selection, which would receive a single point.

A round of rapid polls were utilised to settle dead heats and finalise the top ten.

Capcom has been a force to be reckoned with in the past few years and although every project they touch seemingly turns to solid gold, their Resident Evil remakes, beginning with the venerable Resident Evil 2, have been an enormous part of that.

To take what is already heralded as one of the most important and influential survival-horror games ever and improve upon it by bettering combat mechanics, overhauling the audiovisual design, and improving the narrative without throwing it out entirely is quite a feat.

The package has only been made more compelling since the arrival of the Separate Ways mini-campaign, while the game’s iOS port and looming VR mode give players even more ways to experience this essential classic.

In his review, James B scored Resident Evil 4 a 10 out of 10 saying:

“Resident Evil 4 translates a game already revered into an absolute masterpiece. The tension is heightened and the combat is stronger than ever, all while still maintaining the corny dialogue and humour that the original game was known for. While there are a few minor aspects missing, Resident Evil 4 is a strong example of what any remake should be and is well worth your time.”

Toby said:

“Capcom’s Resident Evil 2 remake was special, bringing the game to the modern masses in a way that remained true to the source material while drastically improving the game across the board. They managed to do it again in 2023 while not receiving as drastic an overhaul as Resident Evil 2.

Resident Evil 4’s remake is incredible in so many ways, effortlessly incorporating the signature silliness of the original while modernising the gameplay. This, combined with the excellent Separate Ways DLC, makes for one of the best Resident Evil games to date.”

Camilla said:

“The Resident Evil remakes have been everything a remaster or reimagining of a classic game should be, and Resident Evil 4 is no different.

This remake perfectly embodies the spirit of the original title with beautifully overhauled visuals and modernisations that take full advantage of current technology without sacrificing any of the charm that made 2005’s Resident Evil 4 such an iconic entry in the franchise and the horror genre at large.”