The highly anticipated Switch 2 port of the Resident Evil 4 remake is experiencing notable performance and visual drawbacks in handheld mode, according to recent impressions. While the game runs more smoothly when docked, its portable experience is hampered by stuttering and a generally fuzzy presentation, marking a disappointing entry in Capcom's otherwise strong lineup of Switch 2 titles this year.
Despite these technical hurdles, the core gameplay experience of the Resident Evil 4 remake remains intact. The game successfully balances its blend of action and horror, offering tense encounters that still feel challenging even with Leon's expanded offensive capabilities. The remake's narrative updates and tweaked pacing generally serve the story well, though some additions are noted as being overly explicit in their storytelling.
The primary concern lies with the handheld performance. Frequent stutters occur, particularly when large groups of enemies appear or during camera rotations, detracting from the otherwise fluid run-and-gun action that defines the game. While these issues do not render the game unplayable, they create an irritating and inconsistent experience, especially when compared to the smooth performance of other Capcom titles like Resident Evil Requiem on the same hardware.
Visually, the handheld mode suffers from noticeable fuzziness that affects much of the environment, particularly foliage. Texture loading issues also contribute to an unpleasant aesthetic. This visual degradation is not unique to the Switch 2 version, as similar issues have been observed on other handheld PC devices.
Docked mode, however, presents a significantly improved experience. The game runs smoothly, and visuals are much sharper, with the added benefit of HDR support enhancing lighting effects. This stark contrast between the two modes leads to a preference for playing the Resident Evil 4 remake docked on the Switch 2.
These performance issues in handheld mode raise some concerns about future Capcom ports, including an upcoming title like Monster Hunter Wilds. The hope remains that Capcom will address the Resident Evil 4 remake's graphical and performance shortcomings through future patches.