Halloween Special Review: Resident Evil 4
If you have read only two reviews of this game, I will have nothing new to say, because there isn't anything new to say. Reviews for this game have been very long and attempt to capture just how good this game is.
This sequel brings Resident Evil to the near present (specifically, 2004). Umbrella is gone, mostly because turning cities into zombies is bad publicity. Leon is now in the Secret Service, charged with protecting the President's daughter, Ashley. Unfortunatly, she somehow gets kidnapped before Leon was in duty, so now he's charged with finding her. And now he's somewhere in Europe, facing enemies he has never faced before.
First, graphics. This game is the best looking period. Half Life 2 has only surpassed it when they launched the Lost Coast recently, showing their new lighting system. The game only has one prerendered video: the intro (recapping what happened with Raccoon City). The rest of the videos were done with the actual game engine, and they look just as good as prerendered videos. It would just be pointless to have prerendered videos with this game engine.
What makes Resident Evil 4 unique is its environment. You get dropped off in the daytime, something that usuall means you're safe. Not this game. You might be able to see everything, but it still gives a sense of fear.
What really makes this game a modern classic is that this is a game of moments. Just the first portion of the game is memorable. After you complete it, you will find your heart pumping, calming down with the coast clear.
The intro in the game has you fending off tons of villagers, who just don't seem to care about themselves. You may be more heavily armed, but they have numbers, and no fear of your arms. When the sound of the chainsaw roars, the situation gets worse.
The game features a variety of situations for you to go through. Yes, you will have to escort Ashley, but it actually isn't as much of a chore as it is another thing adding to the situation. The need to protect you and Ashley just adds to each situation.
Bosses are the best in the series. There was one part of the X-Play review that I specificly remember, its that each boss in this game could be the last boss in any game. Yes, they are that well designed.
Control is finally not an issue. Some have complained that there is no sidestep, but it just adds to your need to run rather then fight. With the camera now mostly over-the-shoulder, controls are top-notch.
Even after completing the game, there is more for you to play. You can replay the game with your earned inventory, plus a few new items (infinate rocket!!!), or play on a harder difficulty.
There is also a side mission featuring a returning character, Ada Wong. While not very story intensive, it's still fun.
The one extra that I love is the Mercenaries. This sets you down with one of five characters (only Leon is initially available), each with a different list of weapons. Your goal is to kill as many enemies as you can within the time limit. If you thought the chainsaw man was scary in the main game, wait until you see him in the waterworld level. The only thing that could improve this mode is a multiplayer option.
On the PS2, this game seemed to have as few compromises as the hardware would let it. Graphics and load times, although not quite as good as on the Gamecube, it still very close to the original version, close enough that most wouldn't even notice a difference. The PS2 version also gives an extra weapon (a "laser" gun) and an extra Ada mission (Seperate Ways).
While the game I have played is on the Gamecube, I have heard the PS2 and GC versions are about equal. If you have both systems, I suggest the Gamecube version, if only because you can probably find a good deal for it. If you can't, then go for the PS2 version, since it does has the extra mission, which adds alot to the story. If you only own a X-Box, buy a Gamecube or PS2 now, just for this game.
Resident Evil 4 was a project in which the designers were not compromising anything. This game went though multiple versions before Capcom went with this version of the game. There is a meticulous attention to detail, in graphics and experience. Even when porting the game to a lower-speced hardware the developers didn't compromise much. Just simply, this game is the most perfect game since Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.
Graphics: 10/10 (yes, both versions)
Sound: 9/10
Control: 9/10
Personal Game Rating: 9.8/10
Buyability Rating: 5/5: BUY! IT! NOW!
This sequel brings Resident Evil to the near present (specifically, 2004). Umbrella is gone, mostly because turning cities into zombies is bad publicity. Leon is now in the Secret Service, charged with protecting the President's daughter, Ashley. Unfortunatly, she somehow gets kidnapped before Leon was in duty, so now he's charged with finding her. And now he's somewhere in Europe, facing enemies he has never faced before.
First, graphics. This game is the best looking period. Half Life 2 has only surpassed it when they launched the Lost Coast recently, showing their new lighting system. The game only has one prerendered video: the intro (recapping what happened with Raccoon City). The rest of the videos were done with the actual game engine, and they look just as good as prerendered videos. It would just be pointless to have prerendered videos with this game engine.
What makes Resident Evil 4 unique is its environment. You get dropped off in the daytime, something that usuall means you're safe. Not this game. You might be able to see everything, but it still gives a sense of fear.
What really makes this game a modern classic is that this is a game of moments. Just the first portion of the game is memorable. After you complete it, you will find your heart pumping, calming down with the coast clear.
The intro in the game has you fending off tons of villagers, who just don't seem to care about themselves. You may be more heavily armed, but they have numbers, and no fear of your arms. When the sound of the chainsaw roars, the situation gets worse.
The game features a variety of situations for you to go through. Yes, you will have to escort Ashley, but it actually isn't as much of a chore as it is another thing adding to the situation. The need to protect you and Ashley just adds to each situation.
Bosses are the best in the series. There was one part of the X-Play review that I specificly remember, its that each boss in this game could be the last boss in any game. Yes, they are that well designed.
Control is finally not an issue. Some have complained that there is no sidestep, but it just adds to your need to run rather then fight. With the camera now mostly over-the-shoulder, controls are top-notch.
Even after completing the game, there is more for you to play. You can replay the game with your earned inventory, plus a few new items (infinate rocket!!!), or play on a harder difficulty.
There is also a side mission featuring a returning character, Ada Wong. While not very story intensive, it's still fun.
The one extra that I love is the Mercenaries. This sets you down with one of five characters (only Leon is initially available), each with a different list of weapons. Your goal is to kill as many enemies as you can within the time limit. If you thought the chainsaw man was scary in the main game, wait until you see him in the waterworld level. The only thing that could improve this mode is a multiplayer option.
On the PS2, this game seemed to have as few compromises as the hardware would let it. Graphics and load times, although not quite as good as on the Gamecube, it still very close to the original version, close enough that most wouldn't even notice a difference. The PS2 version also gives an extra weapon (a "laser" gun) and an extra Ada mission (Seperate Ways).
While the game I have played is on the Gamecube, I have heard the PS2 and GC versions are about equal. If you have both systems, I suggest the Gamecube version, if only because you can probably find a good deal for it. If you can't, then go for the PS2 version, since it does has the extra mission, which adds alot to the story. If you only own a X-Box, buy a Gamecube or PS2 now, just for this game.
Resident Evil 4 was a project in which the designers were not compromising anything. This game went though multiple versions before Capcom went with this version of the game. There is a meticulous attention to detail, in graphics and experience. Even when porting the game to a lower-speced hardware the developers didn't compromise much. Just simply, this game is the most perfect game since Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.
Graphics: 10/10 (yes, both versions)
Sound: 9/10
Control: 9/10
Personal Game Rating: 9.8/10
Buyability Rating: 5/5: BUY! IT! NOW!
posted by SeanM at 7:30 PM
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