Resident Evil 4
Mass murder, all in a days work for Ben
Along with the main levels there are plenty of other distractions. Though it is very much action based there are a sprinkle of puzzles, though most don't ask that much of the player. There are also a few ongoing minigames throughout the main quest such as shooting a number of scattered pendants in an effort to unlock weapons. Speaking of which, there is a good range of weapons ranging from your standard pistol to shotguns, sniper rifles and machine guns. All weapons are upgradeable as well; doing so not only improves their power and speed but also their resale value - invaluable when purchasing more meaty sidearms as you progress through the game. Smashed crates and fallen enemies will also reveal cash, all of which can be traded with regular merchants lining your path through the game offering supplies like grenades, first aid spray and ammunition, along with all the guns.
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As if the stages themselves aren't gripping enough, the boss battles are largely very memorable. El Giganto is a cross between the Rankor from Jabba's Palace and the Balrog from the Mines of Moria whilst the beast of the swamp is like the Loch Ness Monster on steroids. All are huge, all require skill to take down but all are manageable once you understand their attack patterns and develop your skills enough. Added too are further touches, all of which really help you engage with the gaming world. Early on you encounter a dog caught in a bear trap. Ignore him if you like, but if you decide to help you may find yourself assisted later on. Completing the game takes anything up to 20 hours on your first go but there's plenty of reason to revisit. Not only do additional game modes become available upon completion but beat these and you're rewarded with various additions to the main game such as new costumes, or more enjoyably, additional foolishly powerful weapons.
Visually things are truly tremendous. Whether you're trudging through the muddy streets of a barren village, stalking enemies through a rain drenched sunless graveyard or sneaking cautiously through a heavily fortified castle, the graphics are superb - arguably the best on the system to date. I will be very interested to see if the PS2 can reproduce anywhere near the graphical standards of this Gamecube version. The odd bit of slowdown in heavily populated levels is easily offset by the joy of seeing fragments of your shotgun pellets splash in the water metres behind your assailant, or the atmospheric subtle lighting gently encompassing Leon as he advances through a dimly lit tunnel. Maybe it's no surprise that not only are very few titles anywhere near as gorgeous as Resident Evil 4 but very few come close to creating the level of atmosphere. No part of the game feels replicated (other than the endless abundance of enemies) and every room or area you enter feels as individual as the last. Add to this a remarkably solid third person camera that rarely annoys or draws attention to itself. Its movement to the side is limited (in a deliberate fashion, much like the control restrictions) but follows you loyally and rarely wanders unnecessarily. Not bad really for a series famed for its static camera.
Of course, nothing is perfect and there are some niggles, though they are genuinely minor. Although it lacks a proper widescreen mode, the game itself is presented in letterbox format, though on a standard 4:3 signal. This means that if you have a widescreen TV you can happily zoom into the image to give a full screen display, albeit with a minor loss of quality. If however you have a standard TV then you'll unfortunately have to cope with massive bordering akin to the days of Street Fighter II on the SNES (though at least without a distorted image). In game the often dark environments can make the numerous bear traps the villagers have scattered around a tad hard to spot. Yes, it makes you more nervous but when you fail to spot one for the tenth time you'll be feeling more violent than tense! For much of the game you'll also be escorting the President's daughter. Your control of her only stretches as far as commanding her to follow or stay put. Although she is needed to overcome a handful of obstacles, often she tends to serve as little more than an annoyance. She's incapable of doing anything for herself other than occasionally die and end of game for you or get captured and scream a bit. Of course, her conclusion is designed to add further tension to the game and act as a distraction but I mostly I found myself simply leaving her at the entrance to an area, clearing it out and then calling her back to my side - not something that generally enhances the gameplay.
Yet all of this is knit picking in the extreme. Resident Evil 4 is one of those games that really demands the attention of all gamers, not just fans of the genre. The fact it is an excellent action horror game is secondary to the fact that it's simply a brilliant game. It's so well crafted, so brilliantly realised and so sublimely toned that anyone who enjoys good quality gaming will be both impressed and entertained. It's reason alone to own a Gamecube and reason alone to give the series another go. In my opinion it's the best in the series since the first and Capcom's finest release since Viewtiful Joe. You simply have to play it.
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Comments
Oh, gee, thanks a lot Ben. I honestly didn't know that this game was so great when already a few million other reviewers already reviewed this game in JANUARY WHEN IT RELEASED. Four months eh? So, you've taken the Gabe Newell route haven't you? Anyway, what I'm trying to say is that your insights are really good but you should have published this review loong back, dude. This is because many people here not only visit Ferrago, but they also visit sites like Eurogamer and Gamespot which, at least, give the reviews near the release date. When I visited your site today and saw this article, I was thinking that Resident Evil 4 for PS2 has released. And then when I read through it I realised that it was about the Gamecube version. Honestly, can you please, PLEASE, try to put up reviews on time? Because I really like this site which puts up informative and occassionaly funny stuff. Can we please have more of this and on time? Also, on another note, what are your thoughts of Gran Turismo 4? Are you guys working on the review? Because I need to read it and know if it is better than Burnout 3 and Gran Turismo 3.
For starters, I am in the UK and RE4 was released over here only a couple of weeks ago.
Of course we are aware that other sites have posted their RE4 reviews already but it is not a race. We only have so many staff and they only have so much time. We'd much rather publish a quality, balanced review written after sufficient play than rush out a quick piece after briefly touching the game.
That being said, we are hoping to get some more reviewers in soon I believe. The current staff all have a lot on - Editor Luke is in Japan, Editor Jason has started a new job and I have recently got engaged and am looking for somewhere new to live. There are only so many hours in the day unfortunately.
Indeed - quality over quantity around here :-)
Oh, sorry Ben. Wasn't aware that it had only just released in the UK. So, since most of you are on a tight timing, will you guys be reporting about E3 2005?
Ok and what about GT4 has that released in the UK? And God of War? Because here in the UAE, where I live, some games are released on the same day as the EU release.
E3 coverage is being sorted as I type
GT4 is in the pipeline, Neuro. It came out here the same week as the US launch I believe.
i have to agree with whats said about the control system, it adds to the atmosphere. but the fact is the newer gamer wants a level of skill involved so when they master it. Its something they can be proud of. EG. ninja gaiden. but in the same respect we want faster more intense action. this is definetly a step above the series but still has some tweaking. they have captured the way this game should be played.
:-) im amazing on this and this page is crap
How do you get out of Salazaars castle on Resident Evil 4?( me and a really really cute boy love it. I call him Leon and he calls me Ashley)
You guys or guies are bastards! :-} :-p
well Resident evil 4 have prety good griphis then doom 3
i have compleated the game on easy and medium now i am on hard the game is fantastic
this game is the best the people,guns
this game is incredible
this game is tight (amasing)lol
hi guys,my name is ada.do you know a good site to play resident evil4 online?i will appertiate your help,thanks
I agree with you Ben this game is great and fun I
beat the whole game but i have to admit Ashely was
freaking annoying.bye for now
Resident evil4 is the best game I had ever pladed if Leon is real I would be so happy.
I have played through RE4 for the Wii and regardless of how much not being able to strafe adds the the games atmosphere it is still really annoying when you have to run way past a door or corner just to turn and look in it. There is a huge difference between doing backflips off walls and walking sideways...
I agree with Fibris... Strafe should've been added, but in a reasonable manner - slowly, no zooming sideways as fast as you can run forwards. Trying to sidestep around an enemy in a circle would just get you killed, but edging out through a doorway or out from behind a wall would be a lot more realistic.
I think it is the coolist game ever.
I think is funnn...
this game is brilliant i've got it on wii its brill
i'm 10 and play halo shoud i be abel to paly resudint evil 4
ok....
goooood
fibris and rob you guys rock.... i completely agree with you is not the same...just a slow sidewalk for doorways c`monnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn!!!!jajajaja 2009!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
hello