PS5 Creators: How Resident Evil 4 harnesses PS5’s power

 Released this Friday, March 24, Resident Evil 4 is a remake of the acclaimed original. It retains the essence of the 2005 survival horror while featuring modernized gameplay, a reworked story, and vividly detailed graphics.

We asked game director Yasuhiro Ampo, sound director Hiroshi Tamura, and art director Hirofumi Nakaoka how they used the PlayStation 5's unique capabilities, including 3D audio, adaptive triggers, haptic feedback, and stunning graphical fidelity, to create the PS5 game.

PlayStation Blog: What were your first impressions when you first learned about the power and capabilities of the PS5 from a developer perspective?

Yasuhiro Ampo (Director): Improved data read speed allows the game to handle larger amounts of resources while generating richer graphics and reducing load times. Immersive horror is one of the key elements of the Resident Evil series, so it's hugely beneficial that players can remain undisturbed during gameplay, even during cutscenes.

3D Audio creates realistic soundscapes in games and is an essential component that brings something new to inspire fear and dread. How did you use 3D audio in RE4 to create an even more terrifying audio experience?

Hiroshi Tamura (Sound Director): 3D sound was essential in shaping the sound for RE4. In moments of quiet tension, we dynamically 3D layer sounds such as the irregular cracking of wooden houses settling or other subtle sounds over the bass produced by Ambisonics audio (a type of 3D audio format). In intense combat sequences, we made sure that most of the sounds are emitted as object 3D sound, so the sounds of enemies or objects can be heard behind walls or above the floor. Our goal was to create an immersive experience by amplifying the tension and creating a three-dimensional sound field. Additionally, all music in this game was produced and mixed in 7.1.4 channels.

The gameplay controls in RE4 have also been improved and modernized. How did you use the PS5's unique features like adaptive triggers and haptic feedback in the game?

Yasuhiro Ampo (Director): We wanted players to share the feeling that the game's main protagonist, Leon, was experiencing in the game. For example, the DualSense controller will intricately vibrate and play sounds when Leon reloads his weapon. The resistance of the adaptive trigger also changes depending on the weight of the weapon.

With updated graphics, RE4 enhances the sense of isolation of the original game and its haunting environment. How did the PS5 help you achieve that?

Hirofumi Nakaoka (Art Director): While maintaining the individuality of each defining area - the heart of the original Resident Evil 4 - we've modernized each location to suit the capabilities of the PS5, giving players a chilling sense of isolation as they explore remote locations. European village surrounded by forest. We didn't just want to darken the environment to create fear, but emphasized shadows and silhouettes rather than light to capture the essence of horror. This requires a console that can output high-quality lighting. In addition to shadows, we also put a lot of work into capturing the dynamic nature of the environment, such as grass and trees moving in the wind or fog to depict stagnant air. These kinds of fine environmental details can only be unlocked with the power of the PS5.

What things did you want or didn't want to change in this remake?

Yasuhiro Ampo (Director): I played the original Resident Evil 4 before the remake was developed, and I felt there was room to freshen up the game controls, story, and characters so that they are in line with the current generation of games. These are some aspects for which we have made modern improvements. On the other hand, we made only minor changes to the core gameplay elements of the original Resident Evil 4, such as aiming and shooting, resource management, and weapon upgrades. These are just as fun today, so we've only made minor tweaks to expand the gameplay while keeping the essence of the original game's direction.

Which PS5 feature are you most excited about as a gamer? Or what do you think makes the gaming experience immersive?

Yasuhiro Ampo (Director): Personally the DualSense controller. You can hear the radio from the controller's speakers, feel the weapon in your hands with haptic feedback, and see how much health you have left because the controller lights up when you're playing in the dark. It's the fun little features that make for a great gaming experience.