Resident Evil 4

Life

4 May 2005

N GC A GameCube-exclusive, Resident Evil 4 had been one of those games stuck in development for what seemed like an eternity. Despite the delays and concerns about the game’s exclusive status on Nintendo’s platform (don’t worry, it will be released on the PlayStation 2 before the end of the year), Resident Evil 4 is a superb game that re-invents the tried-and-true mechanics of the series in important, innovative ways – plus, it’s creepy as hell.

Look ma, no zombies!
Resident Evil 4 picks up after Code: Veronica, with Leon Kennedy (from RE2) now a government agent sent to rescue the president’s daughter who disappeared in Europe. Of course, her kidnapping is only a small part of the huge overall picture. The much-publicised absence of trademark zombies (and nemesis corporation Umbrella) was replaced by enemies that are far deadlier: crazed villagers and cultists (among others) who actually put up a fight. Enemies use explosives, weapons, and even bob and weave to dodge your attacks. They also set-up a variety of crude – but effective – booby traps.

If the re-make of the first Resident Evil on the GameCube set a new visual standard for the series, then RE4 easily raises the bar. The game is gorgeous in a very effective way, with mist, rain, and other diverse weather effects coupled to immense detail. Static, pre-rendered backgrounds have been a love-hate relationship of the RE series, but number four wisely discards them with a new third-person view so you can see more of your surroundings, including attackers that may be lurking nearby.

RE was frequently frustrating due to the limits on the play system, but not here. Characters can vault over rails, jump through windows, and even engage in hand-to-hand fighting when dry on ammunition. Interwoven into the play mechanics are Action Button sequences – twitch-finger situations where you must press the button prompt that appears onscreen (two buttons simultaneously, or one button rapidly). Simple controls keep the diverse functions under simple command, and the various inventories are easy to access and navigate, but the inability to reload weapons in the menu screen – or while moving – can be a real pain. Speaking of weapons, the game serves up an arsenal Solid Snake would envy: Machine guns, sniper rifles, grenades, magnums, and other weapons can be obtained, and new ones can be purchased and upgraded by one of the many weapon Merchants at random spots throughout the game.

Monster mash
If RE4 has any problem, it goes on a little too long (it spans two discs), with one boss battle and plot twist too many. However, there’s an extensive reward system, including unlockable content that adds excellent replay value. It took time, but Resident Evil 4 finally arrived in glorious fashion, and fans of the series will be more than pleased. It’s easily the best game in the series in recent years.