Difficulty:

Hard

Time Spent:

10 Hours or Less

The Bottom Line:

"Highly addictive"

There are a lot of versions of the masterpiece known as "RE4." The first NGC, then the PS2, PC, and Wii versions. Now there is the iPhone/iTouch and iPad versions. I have the NGC, Wii, and now own the iPhone/iTouch version. So how is it in comparison? Well here are a few Pros and Cons before the in-depth review.

Pros: Feels like RE4. Graphics are good. Replay value. New Mercenaries mode. Mercenaries mode gives money/very rewarding. Soundtrack gives nostalgia. Brings back many highlights of the original game. AI is pretty good. Levels are at great points in the game. Fast side-step/dodge while shooting. It's RE4!

Cons: Controls (Note: I didn't have any problems with the controls, but I've read a lot of complaints). Missing weapons. Needs a sequel/part 2. Old Mercenaries mode isn't included. A little short (depending on how addicted you get!). Picture cut-scenes are a bit of a disappointment (especially since it shows some gameplay footage from the console versions). Not a lot of variety of enemies. Mostly low number of enemies on screen (probably around 7-8 tops). Levels usually take place in one or two small areas. Some missing highlights/battles.

Well with that over with, here is the complete review:

First off, what I think RE4 on the iPhone/iTouch did the best was the fact that instead of seeming like a stripped down port, it felt that it was it's own version. Some of the environments are different, but not by much. Whether the reason is that the iPod can't support the "actual" environments or if it is because of gameplay reasons, either way they look pretty good.

Enemies are hard. Luckily you can upgrade your guns like the console versions. This really makes you (actually your guns) feel like you're getting more and more powerful. Example being the first time you fight a Ganado with the Plagas coming out of his head. This was one of the hardest parts of the game for me. But by the end, I was killing them in a few shots! The game is pretty difficult, even if you've played the console version(s) over and over like I have. (I think I've completed the "real" game close to 10 times). Also, there is a new upgrade called "Size." This makes that gun eat up less "space." (The attache case is a list with a certain number that equals the maximum. If a pistol = 5 in size and your case = 100, then "5/100" would be on the bottom of the list.) By the way, the attache case size can still be upgraded.

By now the question has probably come to your mind about the new Mercenaries mode I mentioned in the Pros and Cons section. Here is how it works: Unfortunately, you can only play as Leon. You have around 20-22 levels to complete that usually consist of these objectives: "How many enemies can you kill in the time frame" and "Can you kill all of the enemies in the time frame." However some are different; some will have you escorting Ashely through a section of the game, and one gives you a few guns, but with only one clip in each and no knife! They also change it up a bit by changing a few enemies like replacing all of the Ganados with Chainsaw guys/Dr. Salvador/Bag Man. Also the environments change, like the wall inside the castle look green-er to signify that it is daytime or they may put a thick "layer" of fog on the screen. (My favorite was seeing the waterfall area where you kill the first "Plagas Ganado" in daytime!) Every time you complete a level, your score is converted to money for use in the story mode. The old Mercenaries mode is missed, but this one is really cool and even rewarding.
(There is also a coin shooter mode in the main menu that puts you in the village and you have to shoot coins in a certain amount of time)

Graphics are around DS-ish. Maybe PSP, but I can't really say that because I've never played a PSP. Either way they are pretty good. Leon looks great, Ashely looks a little worse but still good (her eyes are smaller) and Ganados look... like Ganados. "Bag Man" looks really cool. If you've played the older versions, you may remember that there was a Bag Man in the mine that had blood all over and had a different outfit on. The Bag Man/Men in this version all look like that. I personally think that they look more menacing. Animations aren't really this game's strong point. Leon's are good, but the enemies are a different story. If you shoot a Ganado in the face, he will step back and spin around just like in the other versions. However when he is about to switch from the turned around position to the normal position (e.i when he recovers) there is a slight moment where he freezes. It is hard to explain but you will probably notice it if, or when, you play it. Also, Ganados don't flinch much by shooting them, which adds to the difficulty. If one is trying to grab you, it's going to take a lot to stop him! Like the tutorial said, keep your distance!

Sounds are great, simple as that. Music is straight from the original, but played in different areas (which was something to look forward to). Guns are sound like guns. Voices aren't used that much, but are good quality when they are used. (Yes, you still have to listen to "LEON...HELP!")

When I played the game, I played it as if I hadn't played RE4 before to see if I would miss out on anything and/or be confused at certain points because of missing content. To sum up answers to questions regarding this subject, here is the overall answer: If you haven't played RE4 before, you will in fact miss out on a few things. I don't feel that any particularly necessary moments are missing, but since I love every part of the console versions of the game, I feel as though some great moments are missing no matter how relevant they are. In conclusion, I would say the experience is great either way, but even better if you have played the console versions.

To wrap up this review, I will mention the things I like and dislike most. First, as I'm writing this review, Capcom game apps are on sale, so RE4 is only $0.99! The game is a complete steal at this price. An entire game for a dollar! (Well...99 cents) It's a complete blast to play this game. Feels like a mini RE4, yet it can stand alone as a complete version just as well. Imagine playing RE4 where ever you are! The bad thing is that the entire game isn't here. So how far do you play to? A little before you leave to go to the island (about where the second disc for the NGC starts). I thinks it's been a year since the game app came out, yet the game still hasn't got the second part. My guess is that the second part will come out soon, after the Capcom app sale is over. The other thing that is a little disappointing is that the game doesn't have multiple types of weapons; there is only one handgun, one shotgun, etc. Either way, it is without a doubt a near perfect mini RE4. I would recommend buying this at $4.99, so at $.99 it's a must!

Conclusion/Overall opinion: Buy it.

If you have any questions, simply PM me and I will answer them.