Much like RE2 remake, my expectations towards this game ended up being completely different from what I experienced. I did not expect RE4R, a game which I felt was unnecessary seeing as the original still holds up fantastically well, to be my absolute favorite of all the RE games since 7. I expected my feelings towards the game to be indifferent, and what I got what an experience akin to playing the original for the first time all over again. While much of the game I found very familiar with many areas, sequence of events and dialogue being just like the original, there is so much new with this game, in many of the sequences, challenges, mechanics, etc. that it felt like a totally new game. Not only that, but having prior knowledge of the original heavily rewards you in the remake whether it be in the layout of certain areas being carbon replicas, or treasures being in the exact same spot, or bosses having the same weaknesses, even little easter eggs. While I long for some of the segments of the game that were removed, such as the giant Salazar statue's original role, the sniper ski-lift section, etc., enough new good things were added to make up for those missing. The most surprising thing for me was how insanely well-crafted almost every boss fight was. While a couple might have been a bit hard (Salazar is still one of my favorite fights in the game) or lackluster, the majority were very fun and unique, even moreso than in the original. The soundtrack was also surprisingly good for a RE game, which truth be told, the series is not exactly known for. This delves into spoiler territory, but I also very much like what they did with Luis's story in this game, having been completely overhauled, given depth, and made his eventual death making more emotional sense in relation to Leon. HOWEVER, they didn't give Mike a heavy New York accent this time, so I can't forgive that. All in all, a very big surprise for me, as I ultimately ended up loving this game far more than RE2R (of which I ended up having the indifferent opinion towards).