I have to agree with this. Given, I'm not a huge fan of where the series is now (although I haven't played Revelations), but it's certainly debatable that the series would still be active if it wasn't for what RE 4 brought to the table.If capcom wouldn't have changed the series it would be dead by now. For a series to stay relevant it has to evolve. When Remake and Zero got released people complaint that it felt too old.
I hate people who let future games colour their perception of older titles.
"Oh, you hate RE4 but only after RE5 and 6 came out? What a coincidence!"