Dead Space Remake vs Resident Evil 4 Remake: which to buy?

In 2023, two major remakes will be released just a few months apart: Dead Space and Resident Evil 4. But if you only want one, which one should you buy?

This year is certainly one for the horror fans, with two remakes of some of the genre’s most iconic titles. Dead Space is reimagined by EA’s Motive Studio, while Resident Evil 4 is handled with the RE Engine direct from Capcom.

But it has not gone unnoticed that video games are becoming more expensive in general. Even new remakes and ports can still bring you a lot of money. Not to mention that we all have less and less time to complete games.

So if you’ve thought about narrowing down to just one of these titles, or maybe you’re wondering which one you’ll have a better time with, we’ve put together a comparison.

dead space

developer: Motif Studio
publisher:EA
release date: January 27, 2023
platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Microsoft Windows

Dead Space is a remake of EA’s 2008 survival horror game of the same name. Set in a sci-fi setting, Dead Space follows the story of Isaac Clarke, an engineer who is searching for his girlfriend, Nicole Brennan, who is in charge medical officer of the Ishimura, goes to the USG Ishimura. He quickly finds out that the entire crew has been killed or turned into monstrous Necromorphs.

The remake will retain the same storyline as the original, but will be developed on EA’s Frostbite engine, previously used to develop Star Wars: Squadrons and the Star Wars Battlefront II single-player campaign. It will feature new and redesigned assets, character models and environments, all taking advantage of modern console systems. Isaac Clarke is also fully voiced in the remake, having been mostly mute in the original.

From the number of teasers and gameplay clips Motive has released since the game was announced, it’s clear that the title is shaping up to be an impressive remake.

Dead Space will be included with EA Play Pro subscriptions at release, meaning subscribers will not have to pay an additional cost to play the game. PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S players can purchase the Standard Edition of the game for $69.99. PC and Epic Games Store players can pick it up at a slightly reduced price of $59.99. The price tag for a remake is steep, but Motive has not only committed to drastic graphical improvements, but also story and character improvements.

Resident Evil 4

developer: CapCom
publisher: CapCom
release date: March 24, 2023
platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Microsoft Windows

Resident Evil 4 is a remake of an even earlier title, Capcom’s 2005 survival horror that released first on the GameCube and later in the year on PS2. Often cited as one of the best video games of all time, the original marked a shift for the Resident Evil franchise towards a more action-based survival horror.

The remake was announced in June 2022 as part of PlayStation’s State of Play. It will feature the same over-the-shoulder third-person shooter-style gameplay as the original, but will take some cues from the Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3 remakes. Like the Dead Space remake, Resident Evil 4 will feature improved character designs and improved backgrounds. But according to Capcom, the game will have a reimagined storyline while retaining the same “essence” of the original. The controls have also been modernized for modern platforms and to improve the “intensity” of the gameplay.

It’s hard to deny that the game has received an impressive graphical overhaul and a far more sinister atmosphere.

Unlike Dead Space, Resident Evil 4 will be playable on PlayStation 4, making the decision for previous generation console players a no-brainer. Additionally, the game will cost slightly less on modern consoles compared to EA’s title, with Resident Evil 4 available on PS4, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S for $59.99.

The decision depends on several factors. If you are a PlayStation 4 owner and might want to upgrade to the PlayStation 5 in the future, then Resident Evil 4 is your choice. Not only is this the only title of the two to be released on PlayStation 4, but it also offers an upgrade to the PlayStation 5 version.

If you’re looking for the cheaper of the two options, Resident Evil 4 is again the choice. Capcom’s entry is $10 cheaper than Dead Space unless you buy on PC.

Both games feature a major graphic overhaul and fully modernized gameplay, but it seems that Dead Space is more of a beat-for-beat remake. If you want to experience the same game from the past but in a prettier, improved way, then Dead Space has the edge here. While Resident Evil 4 still follows roughly the same mood, it introduces a reimagined storyline. It’s unclear how much the game will deviate from what we know, but purists may not get on with it as well as they hope.

Players can also consider release dates. Dead Space is scheduled for release towards the end of January, while Resident Evil 4 won’t grace our systems until March. If you’re looking to scratch that survival horror itch sooner rather than later, Dead Space might be your first port of call.

Looking for more information on Resident Evil? Check out our timeline of the entire franchise.