In Resident Evil 4, special agent Leon S. Kennedy is sent on a mission to rescue the U.S. President’s daughter who has been kidnapped. Finding his way to a rural village in Europe, he faces new threats that are a departure from the traditional lumbering zombie enemies of the earlier installments in the series. Leon battles horrific new creatures infested by a new threat called Las Plagas and faces off against an aggressive group of enemies including mind-controlled villagers that are tied to Los Illuminados, the mysterious cult which is behind the abduction.

Leon S. Kennedy’s intense mission to save the President’s daughter is a turning point in the 20-year-old horror franchise, and the title’s arrival on modern consoles is the perfect opportunity for fans to remember why it has stood the test of time, or for the uninitiated to learn where all the accolades come from.

Resident Evil 4, originally released in 2005, evolved the horror series’ formula in an exciting new direction, empowering players with unprecedented third-person aiming precision while defending themselves against hordes of clever new enemies called Ganados. Players could trip enemies with shots to the legs, or dial in headshots – sometimes with surprising and deadly results. Deep customization options permeate through the game, including a wide variety of fully upgradeable weapons, like pistols, shotguns, and rifles.

This potent combination of exotic weaponry and dynamic enemy encounters is part of why RE4 was not only incredibly innovative for the wider video game industry, but has stood the test of time. There are many examples of paradigm-shifting video games throughout history, but not all of them have the benefit of being as fun to play today as when they first released. Resident Evil 4 is one of the best examples of this rarity.

This current release of Resident Evil 4 on PS4 and Xbox One includes all the bonus content from the original game, as well as additional features that were added in later versions. The mysterious and elusive Ada Wong stars in her own side story, which fills in intriguing story gaps from Leon’s mission. Mercenaries Mode – the addicting evolution of RE3’s bonus mode – is awarded to players who complete the campaign, providing hours of replayability and lets fans play as Wesker, Hunk, and more iconic characters. RE4 also boasts some of the most satisfying New Game Plus action ever, allowing players to bring their powerful arsenal, unlocked costumes, and other secret weapons into a fresh playthrough. Want to focus on yourself instead of protecting Ashley? Equip her with the knight armor costume and laugh as enemy’s attempt to attack her or carry her off with futility. Leon’s Chicago Typewriter – an insanely powerful Tommy Gun – also provides a fun power trip if you have enough cash to give the infamous Merchant.