Resident Evil 2 Remake vs Resident Evil 4 Remake
Capcom's two modern remakes are both all-timers — but one wants to terrify you and the other wants to thrill you. Here's which to buy first, and why the answer depends on your nerves, not your wallet.
RE2 Remake is the horror game: claustrophobic, resource-starved, and stalked by an unstoppable man in a hat. RE4 Remake is the action game: longer, louder, and built around some of the best combat Capcom has ever shipped.
Both regularly sell for a fraction of their $39.99 MSRP, both hold 90+ on Metacritic, and their stories stand alone well enough to play in either order. Choose by mood, not chronology.
The Head-to-Head at a Glance
| RE2 Remake | RE4 Remake | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | January 2019 | March 2023 |
| Metacritic | 91 | 93 |
| Genre lean | Pure survival horror | Action-horror |
| Campaign length | ~8 hours (x2 with the B scenarios) | ~16 hours |
| MSRP | $39.99 (routinely $10–15 on sale) | $39.99 (frequent deep sales) |
| Signature threat | Mr. X — the relentless Tyrant | Chainsaw-wielding villagers, Las Plagas |
| Key extras | Leon & Claire dual campaigns, 4th Survivor | Separate Ways DLC, Mercenaries mode, PSVR2 VR mode |
| Platforms | PC, PS4/PS5, Xbox, Switch (cloud), iPhone/iPad/Mac | PC, PS4/PS5, Xbox Series X|S, iPhone/iPad/Mac |
Tone: Terror vs Adrenaline
RE2 Remake is the scariest mainline Resident Evil of the modern era. The Raccoon City police station is a masterclass in oppressive level design — every zombie takes ammo you don't have, every corridor loops back on itself, and the sound of Mr. X's footsteps hunting you through the building remains one of gaming's great sustained panic attacks. It's short, dense, and merciless, and its two-character structure (Leon and Claire, each with remixed "B" scenarios) means finishing it once shows you half the game.
RE4 Remake is the best action game Capcom has made since... the original RE4. It keeps the horror trappings — grotesque enemies, dwindling resources on higher difficulties — but the parry-capable knife, the expanded movement, and the legendary village-siege pacing make it a game about mastery rather than survival. It's twice RE2R's length, layers on the Separate Ways DLC and Mercenaries mode, and even has a full VR mode on PSVR2. It's the more complete package; RE2R is the more concentrated one.
Do the Stories Connect?
Loosely. RE4 stars Leon six years after the events of RE2 — a throwaway line or two lands harder if you know his rookie-cop origin — but RE4R was explicitly built to stand alone, and millions played it fresh. Chronology purists should start with RE2R; everyone else can safely follow their genre preference. And with Resident Evil Requiem arriving as the series' next mainline chapter, both remakes double as ideal catch-up plays for the franchise's biggest year in a while.
Value & Replayability
These are two of the best sale-hunting targets in gaming. Both list at $39.99 and both crater during every major sale — RE2R in particular has become a near-permanent budget-shelf resident at $10–15. Per-dollar, RE2R's speedrun-friendly structure (four scenario routes, unlockable modes) rivals RE4R's sheer runtime and extras. You genuinely cannot overpay for either unless you try.
RE2 REMAKE ADVANTAGES
- Peak survival horror — the scarier game by far
- Mr. X: an all-time great video game antagonist
- Dual campaigns with remixed B scenarios
- Tighter, denser, endlessly speedrunnable
- Practically free during any Steam or PSN sale
RE4 REMAKE ADVANTAGES
- Best-in-class action combat with knife parries
- Twice the campaign length, plus Separate Ways DLC
- Mercenaries mode and a full PSVR2 VR mode
- Slightly higher critical scores (93 vs 91)
- Friendlier entry point for horror-averse players
Want to be scared? Start with RE2 Remake. It's the purest survival horror Capcom has made this generation and usually the cheaper pickup.
Want to have fun with the lights on? Start with RE4 Remake. It's the bigger, more generous game and one of the best action titles of the decade.
Either way, you'll end up buying the other one — these two remakes are the strongest one-two punch in modern horror, and both are perpetual BUY verdicts at sale price.
Get Resident Evil 2 Remake
Prices and availability change constantly — links open live search results so you always see current listings.
Get Resident Evil 4 Remake
Prices and availability change constantly — links open live search results so you always see current listings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I play RE2 Remake before RE4 Remake?
Story-wise it's the correct chronological order — Leon's arc begins in RE2 — but RE4 Remake was built to stand alone. Play RE2R first if you care about chronology or want the scarier experience; otherwise order genuinely doesn't matter much.
Which is scarier, RE2 Remake or RE4 Remake?
RE2 Remake, decisively. Its confined police station, scarce resources, and the ever-present Mr. X make it pure survival horror. RE4 Remake is intense but leans action — most players find it far less frightening.
Which remake is longer?
RE4 Remake, at roughly 16 hours versus RE2 Remake's ~8. But RE2R's dual Leon/Claire campaigns with remixed second runs effectively double its content for completionists.
Are the RE2 and RE4 remakes worth it in 2026?
Absolutely — both hold 90+ Metacritic scores, both go on deep sale constantly, and both are ideal catch-up plays ahead of Resident Evil Requiem, the series' next mainline release.
Does RE4 Remake include Separate Ways?
Separate Ways — Ada's side campaign — is paid DLC rather than part of the base game, but it's substantial, excellent, and frequently bundled at a discount in the Gold Edition.