You Can't Save 'That Dog' In The 'Resident Evil 4' Remake

The long-anticipated Resident Evil 4 remake got quite a showcase yesterday, including a gameplay preview that featured a graphically up-to-date Leon Kennedy murdering his way through the game's iconic opening village level.

While there's plenty to be excited about between the high-intensity violence, creative environmental kills and Kennedy's ability to stave off an oncoming chainsaw with naught but a handgun, one element of yesterday's showcase cast a dour shadow on the game — you can't save the dog.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO 😭 #ResidentEvil4Remake pic.twitter.com/7W8bKEU3ql

— IGN (@IGN) October 20, 2022

In the original Resident Evil 4, Leon Kennedy stumbles across a dog with its leg caught in a bear trap early on. The player can elect to free the dog or pass it by (a completely understandable decision, considering every creature in the game up to this point has wanted to rip Leon's flesh apart).

If the player chooses to free the dog, it returns to help Leon in a boss fight by distracting El Gigante, and a thankful Leon famously says, "Hey, it's that dog!"

For whatever reason, the upcoming remake includes the dog, but this time around, it's quite dead by the time Leon arrives. This confused and angered players, eliciting a kind of Kevin Garnett-esque "Why would you show me it if I can't (save) it?" response and many memes.

WHY THE FUCK CAN'T YOU SAVE THE DOG ANYMORE IN RESIDENT EVIL 4 REMAKE? pic.twitter.com/u3wFD5GJ3H

— 🌸Xanoz (@XanozIchimonji) October 21, 2022

Resident Evil 4 Remake kills the opening bear trap dog!! This remake is going to completely destroy your expectations and leave you wondering how a faithful adaptation can shock you SO MUCH!#REBHFun #ResidentEvil4Remake pic.twitter.com/49buYGlarO

— Resident Bio Evil (@Resident_bio) October 21, 2022

Apparently you can't save the dog in the Resident Evil 4 Remake. It's already dead when you get to it.0/10 will not be buying.I'm dead serious.

— Ambris (@Ambris_Art) October 21, 2022

It's possible Capcom could be pulling some sort of stunt where they seem to introduce a change ahead of the game to get players sad but talking, only to say sike closer to the release date.

The company did the same thing with Sad Ken Masters ahead of Street Fighter 6, making him look like a haggard and grizzled version of his usual badass, All-American self before revealing his new depressed look is actually part of an undercover disguise.

But for now, Capcom killed a friendly, beloved dog, and will have to suffer the repercussions from an internet whose number one rule is "Do Not Hurt Good Boys."