Resident Evil is redesigned and repackaged for the next generation. It's better than ever.
This is not for the squeamish, young at heart or age. The box defines Resident Evil 4 as having Strong Violence, and this is true. Close ups of your own decapitation at the hands of chainsaw weilding maniacs are not for small eyes - and neither are the many other ways the enemy will take you down. Suffice to say, Resident Evil 4 is particularly gory, and pretty scary, so it is not one that Junior should be playing. If you are of age though, then pull up a chair - this is one hell of a ride.
If you are familiar with the original Gamecube masterpiece, then the PS2 version doesn't offer enough new features to warrant it's additional purchase. For those who are interested, regardless, there is a new mission mode, known as "Seperate Ways". This stars the games side character Ada Wong, and will have the missions play out in the same time frame as the story, giving you some additional insight into some of the characters motives and filling in some gaps in the storyline. There is a few hours of gameplay here, and while there isn't any new areas, there are new cutscenes and new paths to travel, new objectives and a really nifty Grapple Gun allowing you to scale large Buildings, good for picking off enemies.
While the graphics have had to make some sacrifices for the less able PS2, graphically the PS2 hasn't seen much better. Some color has been blended slightly, and larger enemies, such as the "El Gigante" look a little worse, though they still hunt for your blood, and still provide genuine thrills. This is exactly the same story that was on the Gamecube version, and while put side by side, the Gamecube version looks better, this is still an excellent looking game which has suffered very little in it's transistion.
Resident Evil 4 is brand new territory, so those who have yet to enjoy the series need not worry - but veterans will easily recognise the games protagonist as Leon S. Kennedy, a rookie cop who saved the day in Resident Evil 2, and the aforementioned Ada Wong, also from Resident Evil 2. Other than this, there is no reason why anyone should be put off from the game's storyline, newcomers will easily be able to fit right in with those who have played the series, and an introduction explains the main events of the series previous titles, and how it has come to the present.
Starting in an inconspicuous European village, Resident Evil blows you away with it's presentation and it's much more open feel, at least compared to previous titles. The storyline initially explains that Leon, a smart talking U.S agent is actually looking for the President's daughter, Ashley, who had been seen in the area. Approaching the run down and filthy town, you meet up with a man watching over a fireplace. Speaking briefly, he turns, and attempts to strike you with an axe. A quick button combination displays on the bottom of the screen, allowing you to dodge the attack, as the assailant than slowly moves forward. Your pistol up, you shoot several times, as he sidesteps and moves in for another shot. Hitting him square in the forehead, his head is blown off and a gushing amount of blood explodes from beneath. He falls down after taking several more steps, and then evaporates into nothing.
You have just experienced your first encounter with the much smarter foe who will show some basic intelligence, countering your gun blasts, issuing orders to others, opening doors, jumping through windows, and utilising weapons like crossbows, pitchforks, shovels, dynamite and the aforementioned chainsaw. And more, as this village is just the tip of a much larger world in which you must rescue Ashley and discover the reasoning behind this new threat.
The action is viewed from behind Leon, and zooms in over the shoulder when you equip and ready your weapons. The action is played out in widescreen, giving you the peripheral vision necessary for the many enemies you'll encounter. This new breed of horror will surround and confront you, they work together, exploiting potential weaknesses, and as much of the combat is in close quarters, can give a genuine feeling of being overwhelmed.
Leon himself has been given a rebuff, with many more actions, and context sensitive actions added to his repertoire. Additionally given the option to open or kick open a door, hop through a window that you yourself have broken, kick a staggering enemy, climb up and throw down ladders, and use weaponry that expands to include Shotguns, Magnums, Grenades, Automatic Rifles and even Sniper Rifles. The ability of not being able to sidestep is beneficial, requiring you to go head to head (or toe to toe) against the masses. And with cutscenes punctuated with button combos which in most cases save your butt, there is hardly a time where that controller will leave your hands, and really, you wouldn't want it too. This is action gaming at it's very finest.
Even the headshot, the guaranteed kill in the majority of games has been played with. This conventional mechanic will now sometimes spawn a secondary (and disgusting) spawn of evil with tentacles studded with spikes that lash out. Adding this to the already massive amount of enemies you will fight, and the ways in which they will attempt to kill you, and you will constantly be on your toes, watching around you at all times, waiting for that eerie quietness to die down so you can see what will happen next. Resident Evil 4 just doesn't feel suspenseful, it is suspenseful - you feel constantly threatened even when there are no enemies on screen.
This can be attributed to the games fantastic sound, and especially its moody and atmospheric music. Low and ambient effects fill out an excellent original score, which plays up and down to the action, and is supported by Dolby Pro Logic II. The sound of the various weapons to the Spanish speaking villagers play well to the action, with the only low point being the ocassionally hammy dialogue. Effects such as the sound of a pitchfork slashing at your skull and fired arrows armed and ready for your chest convey the true menace that these creatures will hunt for you. This is an aural experience that is better than almost any other action title available, and certainly a step up from previous games in the series. Especially memorable was a Ganado racing at Leon while on fire, as they sprung out from inside a closed refrigerator. The sound of that desperate enemy, coupled with the effect of the fire and the great sound of the firepower as you quickly dispatch him will stay with you for a long time.
A small gripe with Resident Evil 4 is it's non-inclusion of a quick button allowing you to change weapons on the fly. You are required to go into your inventory to do so, which is sad to note as you will need to change weapons quite often. The inventory itself is well laid out, taking the place of a suitcase with a predefined amount of space. Larger items will take more space, and quest specific items such as keys and treasure will not be stored there. Travelling merchants are placed around the areas sparingly as well, allowing you to purchase new items, upgrades and sell treasure. This gives Resident Evil 4 a more role playing feel, a new mechanic which the series can greatly benefit.
You get money in the form of pesetas, dropped from fallen enemies which then requires you to make a choice between new weaponry or upgrading your own. You can increase firepower, reload faster and more, and must also watch how much you can store, as you don't have infinate space. The merchants are always placed in an area safe from harm, and offer no other help than to purchase or sell goods. You are given enough choice to make your experience unique, and as you play through the storyline, the merchants will stock more and better items and upgrades.
Graphically, Resident Evil 4 is incredible to behold. Someone give the Art Director a medal, as each area and sub area offers enough distinction from one another, but still gives a sense of fear that cannot be denied. From the village and it's outskirts to an abandoned hospital and a crumbling castle, and more, the environments are fantastic in design, and suprisingly, in their interactivity. Leon himself is fluid and moves well, and the enemies look and act fantastic, offering a menacing experience that cannot be found elsewhere. Resident Evil 4 is just beautiful.
With a 20-25 hour storyline, plus additional side and sub-missions, the game is no slouch in giving you a lengthy gameplay experience. After playing it non stop for over a week, barely taking a breath I can see why all the above praise is necessary. Approach Resident Evil 4 like you do very few other games - this is the kind of game that is very rare to behold. The kind of title that shows just what is capable in gaming, and the kind of experience that nothing else can match. Resident Evil 4 is a masterpiece of the gaming age - a cut above it's forebears and an experience no one should miss. Buy it.