They did it. They actually fucking did it. They kept so many things I wouldn't have expected them to, and the few things they did get rid of were replaced by something better. The story is much better thought out, giving weight to moments that had none originally, while still being unabashedly goofy. Leon is so quippy and goofy, while still being able to be serious when needed. Ashley actually sounds scared about being in this fucked up situation and slowly becomes more courageous naturally throughout the game. Her and Leon's relationship feels so much more natural than before.

On top of all the story improvements, this is probably the best feeling third-person shooter I have ever played. The parry is an incredible addition. It makes an already satisfying combat loop into something truly next level. The new Krauser fight is honestly one of the coolest things I've played in a game.

This is the new high bar for third-person shooters. It is the best of the action focused RE games. The only reason I think I might still like RE2make better is because it is still the best balance of the action and horror aspects of the series, but this is absolutely the peak of the action ones.