Resident Evil 4 Feature Preview
We get an exclusive look at Capcom's masterpiece in the making.
Resident Evil 4 instantly became one of the most highly anticipated GameCube games of 2005 when it was first revealed last January. Since then, the fourth entry in Capcom's classic survival horror franchise has never failed to wow us in the glimpses we've gotten of it in trailers, screens, and hands-on time. Capcom's dedication to reinventing Resident Evil as we know it appears to be resulting in the kind of overhaul that fans have lately been crying out for. The latest proof that RE4 is bringing the goods comes from some exclusive time we've spent with a build of the game. While not complete, the version we played offered even more tantalizing hints as to the greatness that may be in store for this title.
The version of the game we played gave us a taste of what appears to be the first full chapter in the game, as well as a better idea of the game's structure and a few more tidbits on its story. With Capcom having gone on record as saying that zombies, the T virus, and Raccoon City are things of the past, many have been left wondering what's going to be so "resident" about RE4's evil. Speculation has run rampant, as Capcom has kept most of the details about the game's story under wraps, offering up only a basic thumbnail sketch of what's going to happen. Unfortunately, we can't shed too much more light on what the heck is going on, as the game's first chapter is basically all about setting the stage. At any rate, this is what we've gleaned from playing this piece of the game: Resident Evil 4 opens up with Leon, who is searching Europe for the US president's daughter, arriving in what seems to be a Spanish village. Unfortunately, the locals--who are, in fact, not zombies--aren't particularly friendly, and they seem anxious to stab Leon whenever he starts to ask questions. Matters are made more mysterious by the fact that the first big action sequence you take part in--a stunning set piece that finds Leon fighting off the entire village--is cut short by a bell that compels everyone to stop trying to kill Leon and enter the local church.
Once all the murderous not zombies are gone, you're able to do some exploring and begin your quest in relative peace. During your exploration, you'll encounter some NPCs, including Luis Serra (an Antonio Banderas kind of guy who's an ex-cop from Madrid) and two badasses who appear to be your main antagonists. One is the village chief, a Rasputin-esque gentleman whom it looks like you'll be playing a deadly game of cat and mouse with. The other is Lord Sadler, a mysterious man who has ties to the not zombies you'll encounter. In addition, you'll get a glimpse of Miss Ada Wong, who appears to be rocking a not entirely sensible gown on this adventure. As you start to make your way through the massive village and the area surrounding it, you'll also start to piece together clues about the not zombies. While we didn't get a precise explanation as to what their problem is, it appears that a cult called Los Illuminados has something to do with it. While neither of the baddies you encounter will reveal any concrete info, they will raise some issues that bear looking into. Beyond that, the game's story is still very much a mystery, and all we really know is that the murderous not zombies you meet are a credible threat.
The game starts, as all things do, simply enough. You'll take control of Leon just as he's dropped off on the outskirts of the village and pops into a local's home to begin his investigation. Quicker than you can say, "Oh, snap!" you'll find yourself on the business end of a hot poker. Obviously, in situations like this, the only real solutions involve shooting or stabbing. Thankfully, Leon has come fully prepared, and if your skills are on point you'll dispatch grandpa with minimal effort. Unfortunately, this sets off the other not zombies in the area.
While there have been a number of reasons for the intense interest in Resident Evil 4, the gameplay has arguably been one of the focal points for many. For better or worse, one of the things the Resident Evil name calls to mind is a once-promising control scheme that's long since become dated. Ever since its debut, however, RE4 has been touted as a bold new direction for the series, and Capcom has gone to great lengths to show off the freedom now available to players. While the demos we've tried previously have done a fine job of showing off the game's new control setup, this build offers even more to appreciate.
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