The Resident Evil 4 remake is great at immersing players in its unsettling, plague-ridden world, but the PlayStation 5 version in particular goes above and beyond in delivering a unique experience. While the improved graphics and performance of the Resident Evil 4 remake showcase what modern platforms are capable of, the PlayStation 5's DualSense controller helps further enhance the game's immersion with its distinct functionality. This capitalization on the DualSense's features continues a trend that the Resident Evil series seems to be following with its PS5 releases, one which more games need to consider.
When the PS5's DualSense controller was first revealed, it boasted its haptic feedback and adaptive triggers as a new way to elevate the gaming experience. While many players were wowed by the feel of these features when the PS5 launched in 2020, not many games took full advantage of what the DualSense was capable of adding to the experience. Most Sony-published titles and PS5 exclusives like Demon Souls and Returnal utilized the DualSense well, but for third-party, multiplatform games, the Resident Evil series is one of few that has consistently delivered on its thoughtful use of the DualSense's ability to enhance player immersion.
Resident Evil 4 Remake Takes Full Advantage of the PS5's DualSense Controller
To up the tension and horror elements of the series, Resident Evil games on the PS5 have utilized the features afforded by the DualSense controller to great effect. The use of the adaptive triggers to change their resistance depending on the weapon being used makes the combat feel more satisfying while adding a layer of tension to the game. Making the trigger a bit more resistant when using Resident Evil 4's shotgun, for example, helps deliver a satisfying click when fully pressed while also giving players a dose of adrenaline for the brief moment when the trigger doesn't quite push all the way in as an enemy is bearing down on them.
Resident Evil 4 also does a great job of utilizing the speaker on the DualSense in certain situations to naturally aid in player immersion. Treating the DualSense's speaker like the speaker of a walkie-talkie or a communicator when talking with Resident Evil 4 remake's Hunnigan helps the game break out of simply being experienced on a screen by putting an element of it into the real world. Connecting the experience of the player to the characters in the game can make or break the sense of immersion, and Resident Evil 4's use of the DualSense's unique features helps aid in that player-character connection.
The use of the DualSense's features is nothing new to the Resident Evil series, as Resident Evil Village, the first entry in the series to release on the PS5, began the trend of DualSense functionality. The PS5 also received next-gen versions of Resident Evil 7, Resident Evil 2, and Resident Evil 3 in 2022 with a major addition to these versions being DualSense support including the use of its adaptive triggers and haptic feedback. With these additions, it's clear that Capcom knows how much DualSense support can aid the gameplay experience and is committed to including support for the controller in the Resident Evil series.
The PS5 is in a unique position with the technology in its DualSense controller allowing for more immersive gaming experiences, however, not enough third-party games make use of this functionality. Luckily, the Resident Evil franchise, whose horror atmosphere benefits the most from player immersion, has consistently shown just how effective the DualSense can be at enhancing gameplay. Resident Evil 4 is just the latest title to demonstrate why more games need to utilize the PS5's unique controller.
Resident Evil 4 is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.