Although changing the series itself, RE4 redefines the survival horror genre in exciting new ways.
Depends...
If you loved the old set-camera from the other games, you might not enjoy RE4 too much for the sake of being a Resident Evil game. For those of you who wanted the series to change its ways, this is your game. The changes made in the game feature some of the best action on the consoles, and will appeal to both fans of Resident Evil and just the casual gamer.
Resident Evil 4 has a third person (in this case behind the shoulder) view of the world and your character, who is U.S. Agent Leon Scott Kennedy (whom many will remember from RE2). Leon is sent into a rural part of Europe. A good guess says that he's in Spain or Portugal. He had just taken the role of protecting the President's family after recieving special training. It was just before he was hired into this position when the President's daughter was abducted by an unknown group of people. He now is in Europe to investigate a sighting of what was said to be a girl very similar to the President's daughter. Things quickly turn hectic when a villager attacks him (dismissing of the 9mm handgun pointed at his face) and others destroy his only ride home. Leon's mission now: survive and get Ashley Graham (the President's daughter) back home...alive.
This is where the whole game kicks off. In the previous Resident Evils, the story was based around one huge viral accident at the fault of the International Pharmacutical Enterprise: Umbrella. Umbrella was shut down after the accident. Now, six years later, there is a new kind of terror. The people of this village are infected with a parasite called the Las Plagas, or the plagues in spanish. This parasite was fossilized after a leader long ago learned of their deadliness and burried them deep in the ground.
So how does the Las Plagas get out...I think you'll have to see for yourself. Although the story is not innovative or a masterpiece, there are some Resident Evil plot fillers and some good moments, mostly to keep you involved, and they shouldn't be spoiled.
The new controls in Resident Evil 4 are completely different than the previous games. You now have your basic over-the-shoulder view and the way you aim is by using your weapon's laser sight. This can be frustrating when you haven't used this before, but you quickly get used to it. There are no crosshares and no lock-on, so those of you who like easy games, you might as well forget it. This game can be very difficult at times, and who doesn't love a great challenge.
You'll also find that people complain about these controls, but they just want the easy way out and don't want to take the time to really learn the controls. It only takes about 20 minutes of shooting heretic villagers to get to be a pro at shooting.
The weapons themselves in this game are a lot of fun to use. You encounter a merchant, who I believe to be a leper, who sells you guns and health items. You won't find ammo on this man, but the weapons and the cash you can get from items can really help you out. He sells weapons from 9mm handguns, 12-gauge shotguns, bolt-action and semi-auto sniper rifles, submachine guns, magnums, and even rocket launchers. You can also buy a larger case to increase your item storage space. But what the merchant sells you are not the limits to your arsenal. You can use grenades that are widely spread out throught the game, and natural explosives and traps are a great way to dispose of enemies quickly and using less ammo. Which kicks in the survival part of this game. Through most of the game you are alone and will have to make critical firing strategies to dispose many of your enemies while using less ammo. There is quite a bit of ammo in the game, but when 25 villagers are charging at you and all you have is a handgun...you have to think on your toes or off comes your head (which is usually the literal case). It's a lot of fun to evade the enemies while pouring on a wide variety of fire on them.
The creatures that you encounter in the game are always different in each new location, but they all do have one thing in common...they all want to kill you in some horrible and painful way. They can come at you as villagers, monks with schythes, blind maniacs with blade arms, and of course your wide variety of bosses, which range from orc looking beasts called (Los)El Gigante(s) (The Giant(s)...that's a clue) to a enormous salamander called Del Lago (Of the Lake), and all of the boss battles are truely spectacular.
Gameplay: The new over the shoulder view may be difficult for some. You aim with a laser sight and shoot in key points (if you choose) like the face or knee. Head shots are a key factor in all Resident Evil games and in RE4 they are more satisfying than ever (see graphics for more on headshots). You have the choice of running or walking with a push (and hold) of a button. Leon also has a defence kick that sends stunned enemies (when they are either on their knees or are holding their wounded face) a good distance and hopefully into other Ganados (the villagers). The only downfall of the gameplay is that the puzzles are very easy. A toddler could figure out these puzzles with no effort. It really makes the game shorter (in a sence), and really drives that aspect from the series.
Graphics: A definent change from the pre-rendered environments from the previous Resident Evils, but the new camera angle called for new environments, and boy, are some of them creepy. Textures are very detailed as such is the rest of the game. Rain looks fabulous and even patters on Leon's shoulders and makes your footsteps mushy. Night is probably the best looking. Everything just comes to life in the darkness, especially when you approach walls and the tiny flashlight on your hip illuminates it. Headshots are glorious yet disgusting. They look so real and gorey you will definently be satifyed. Blood and other head fluids jet out from the explosion of the head. It's very cool to watch. Character models are probably the most detailed things in the game. The enemies (and Leon) look very real and are detailed right to the inside of their horrid mouths.
Sound: Those of you with surround sound will definently take heed to the sound of this game. Everything from gunshots, footsteps, moans and groans, to headshots sound fantastic. The sound of a head exploading is probably the most disgusting sound. The sound of your own head being chopped (bit, or blown) off is also very disgusting, but its very cool. Some of the music will make you watch your back before moving on, but it all adds the great suspence of the game. An excellent use of ambient noise is also an addition to the overall quality of the game.
Value: There are two unlockable mini-games, unlockable weapons, and replay to last you a lifetime (although about 2 times through can be very boring). The mini-games can be challenging but it still doesn't make up for the overall dull value, although the single player package is enough in itself.
Tilt: No one wants to see such a great game down in the pits. 10 I say! 10!
Overall: To me the game was a little dissapointing on the story side. Also the setting was good from the start, but quickly turned from a creepy village with very scary enironments and creatures, to a remote island that has music that could easily be put in a James Bond game, but the gameplay and overall fun factor surely makes up for any doubts you have about this game. This is a tremendous leap forward for the casual gamer, but maybe a little lower on the hardcore RE fan side, either way you're in for the greatest thrill-ride of your life...