Resident Evil 4 remake: Is the dog OK?

New version Resident Evil 4 is an outstanding remake of Capcom’s 2004 survival horror action game, an overhaul that modernizes the original with new graphics, new controls, and refinements to the story and events. Capcom is not afraid to remix — and cut — things that no longer work in a modern context, while also winking and nodding to fans of the franchise with a few key changes.

Capcom announced one of the most significant changes during previews of its new product. Resident Evil 4Remake was an adaptation of the original dog encounter that took place in early-game villages. The original RE4Leon Kennedy is confronted by a helpless pup caught in one of many bear traps around his village. After coming to the pup’s aid, the dog runs off, but later returns to help Leon in a memorable boss fight.

The encounter in remake is quite different. The gameplay footage from the early stages indicated a new twist. Resident Evil 4’s beloved dog friend — that Leon would show up apparently too late, and that the dog (or is it a wolf?) he has been in captivity for a while and is now deceased.

The people were naturally scared.

Is that all? Here’s what happens to the dog in Resident Evil 4.

[Warning: The following contains early game spoilers for the Resident Evil 4 remake.]

Capcom video footage showing the deceased (and horrifically disemboweled!) Capcom’s footage of the dead (and horribly disemboweled!) was captured by Capcom. Resident Evil 4Remake is, as fans suspect, a red herring. The real “Hey, it’s that dog” dog appears later in Chapter 3 and is trapped in a DiverseBear trap. It’s hard to miss its painful whine as you hear it get caught in one of the bear traps scattered around the village.

What happens to your dog after this?

[Second warning: The following contains early-to-midgame game spoilers for the Resident Evil 4 remake.]

Leon’s battle against ElGigante will be won by the dog, just like in the original. Resident Evil 4. Leon delivers the classic “Hey, it’s that dog” line and our furry friend serves as a major distraction as our hero tries to take down the giant, Las Plagas-infected monster man.

Don’t worry, the dog is Fine.