[indent][size=5][b]Resident Evil 4[/size]
[size=3]Reviewed by Zen[/b][/size]
Developer: Capcom Production Studio 4
Released: Q1 2005 (Gamecube), Q4 2005 (PS2), Q2 2007 (PC and Wii)
Systems: Playstation 2, Gamecube, PC and Wii.
Rated: Mature
Graphics: For any system you get it for, RE4's graphics are top notch, particularly for the Gamecube and PS2. The attention to detail, gory blood shed, and head-popping action are all amazingly presented. The enviroments all provide an eerie, dark, and often disgusting back drop for this haunting game. The animations are all smooth, the bit-rate never misses a beat, and the enemy designs are all terrifying (particularly a little guy you will come to know as "that crazy blind thing").
Story: Great, all in all. There are some weird parts, particularly a creepy little man child you will come to meet, but all in all the story adds depth to the Resident Evil saga. Leon S. Kennedy, last seen in Racoon City, starting his first day on the police force the same day that the "incident" occured. The scrappy little blonde has since grown up and raised the ranks of the government, becoming the personal bodyguard of the President's daughter. But bad news, she has been kidnapped by a group of crazy spanish cult members. So its Leon's job to go rescue her. Little does he know that his enemies are playing around with a dangerous parasitic organism that turns its host into ruthless zombies... hilarity thus ensues.
Gameplay: The best the Resident Evil series has ever offered. The combat system has had a total facelift, and allowed for a combination of the classic item management, along with a swift over the shoulder aiming system which allows Leon to effeciently dispatch his foes. The only draw back is that you cannot run or strafe while aiming or firing. However, most players should not find this difficult to deal with. Our hero is also equipped with a handy combat knife which comes to use very, very often if you are a resourceful player, and an array of awesome martial arts moves. My favorite is the suplex, where Leon makes the WWE look like The View (i.e., he makes freakin' heads explode).
Another nifty thing is that the puzzle system, while still in tact, is not so darned annoying. Plus, the addition of the boobie trap system is really fun. It basically turns Leon into a modern-day Indiana Jones (you will literally be running from a boulder and leaping out the way). The system works like this... you are walking, minding your own business, and then suddenly some bad guys start throwing giant rocks at you. A flashing button will appear on the screen indicating which to press on the controller. If you manage it in time, you survive. If not, you can either be harmed, or be gruesomely dismembered depending on the trap. This system is also worked into another amazing part of the game...
The Boss battles... Easily some of the best in gaming. They are very fun, numerous, creative, and challenging. Each one provides its own unique challenge, and you will always be left with a sense of "Wow, I can't believe I actually survived that". And heck, even if you don't survive it, usually you'll die in a manner that will leave you saying "HOLY ****!". Yeah, it gets gruesome. Did I mention this game had an M rating? I actually played through the game a whole nother time just to see how many different ways the bad guys could kill Leon. There's alot, and most of them look really, really cool.
Couple all this with a really cool weapons system, loads of unlockable content (depending on the system, you will be treated with different things. I suggest the PS2 and Wii version to get the most bang out of your buck. You get more weapons, more costumes, and even an entire side-game featuring a play through with Ada Wong), and entirely seperate, and highly addicting side game called "Mercenaries" where you own as many zombies as you can, and you got yourself what we call in the business "a classic".
Resident Evil 4 is, and always will be, one of my favorite games of all time. It has provided me with countless memories of awesome zombie disposal, and getting owned myself. If you haven't played it, you are simply missing one of the greatest gaming experiences of the past decade, and I dare say, of all time. Buy it. You can probably find a few used copies for under twenty bucks these days.
If you don't, then hate yourself. Forever.
I give Resident Evil 4 a [size=3]10/10[/size]. It's just that good.[/indent]
