The Resident Evil franchise is a hugely influential series in the horror genre, with multiple entries, spin-offs, and even films to keep fans entertained. The remakes have helped to elevate the original titles and breathe new life into the franchise, with the Resident Evil 4 remake set to become the latest to join the ranks. The original Resident Evil 4 released in 2005 became a firm favorite with fans, upping the action focus and fully embracing the franchise's campy over-the-top sensibilities. However, there are some aspects of the game's remake that gamers aren't too happy with.
The Resident Evil remakes have successfully updated the original format of their respective games and added in plenty of modern touches to make sure they hold up against more recent survival horror titles. While the magic that made the original games great is still in evidence, each remake has new features alongside their improved graphics. Players have now seen the Resident Evil 4 remake in action with a recent trailer, but returning character Ada Wong has caused some controversy with the casting choice.
Character Updates in Resident Evil 4's Remake
There have been several Resident Evil remakes to date, including the upcoming Resident Evil 4, and almost none of the fan favorite characters have made it into the updated versions unchanged. From new hairstyles and more modern clothing to complete character revamps, the remakes have done more than just make the games look better. Ever since the Resident Evil 4 remake was confirmed earlier this year, gamers have seen some changes it will be making, particularly when it comes to its characters.
Resident Evil 4's recent story trailer has showed off some iconic characters, like the U.S. President's daughter and kidnap victim Ashley Graham, who seems much more capable compared to her original depiction – something players will no doubt appreciate. But the most discussion has revolved around series regular Ada Wong, the mysterious antiheroine and spy. Ada is a popular character among the Resident Evil playerbase, and it seemed like fans had a lot to say when it was discovered that Jolene Andersen would not be reprising her role as Ada in the upcoming Resident Evil 4.
The Ada Wong Controversy
Jolene Andersen provided the voice for the English language version of Ada in 2019's Resident Evil 2, so many thought it strange when rumors began to circulate that she wouldn't be making a comeback in Resident Evil 4 alongside her character. While the full cast for Resident Evil 4 hasn't been confirmed yet, gamers now know that Lily Gao will replace Andersen in the role of Ada for the upcoming game. While the Chinese-born Canadian actress seems like a better fit for Chinese-American Ada, some felt that race shouldn't necessarily be a deciding factor for casting choices, particularly for a voice role.
However, it remains a fact that representation in video games is problematic, and having accurate portrayals of characters based on their heritage and racial identity is important not just for visibility but also for diversity. Another issue that some fans had was that Lily Gao played Ada in the critically derided live action film Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City. Many gamers didn't want there to be a connection between the games and the unsuccessful film, and some also felt that Andersen did a perfect job playing Ada. This won't be the only change fans will have to get used to in Resident Evil 4, but it's definitely one that has caused plenty of debate.
Resident Evil 4 launches March 24, 2023 for PC, PS4, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.