Videogame Reviews

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Resident Evil 4 review

The Resident Evil series really changed things in the survival-horror genre. Ever since the first Resident Evil game on PS1, the community was hooked. At the time of its release, that was the game to play. There was always that trend of planting you alone somewhere with limited weapons and ammo, with a huge area to explore... and lets not forget the unpredictability. The player would never know what to expect around each corner, as many areas and enemies in the game changed with subsequent visits.

However, as all games do, the Resident Evil series had its flaws. Where the series failed mostly would most probably be the control scheme. It was always very difficult to maneuver around obstacles, whether it be a bloodthirsty zombie or just any room with traps, it was a hassle sometimes. Aside from that, you'd have a lot of trouble killing enemies because of your options with the controls. Aiming your weapon would focus on three different heights: Low, medium, and high. It would be particularly hard to land well-placed shots, like a head shot for example, without being the perfect distance away from your enemy, or being at the perfect angle. It was things like this that would drive players to feel the need to run around most enemies in the game and ignore them, and when they reached an enemy that they had to defeat in order to progress, they'd struggle a lot with the control scheme.

And then there was Resident Evil 4. This game completely reshaped the series. For one thing, you're not fighting against the same old zombies you fought against in the previous games. Resident Evil 4 tends to break apart from its predecessors in that you're always in possession of enough ammo, and you don't need to use an ink ribbon to save your file, you can do it as often as you'd like. The previous games in the series all limited your # of saves in such a way, and that would be troublesome to those who don't enjoy longer periods of gaming, as players may sometimes feel obligated to continue their file when they didn't want to just to hold on to that extra ink ribbon.

The biggest difference between Resident Evil 4 and the previous games in the series is the gameplay. The gameplay has been completely revamped, and as a result the control scheme has as well. The game follows an 'over-the-shoulder' aiming system which opens a variety of options for the player when it comes to where to shoot in order to cause certain effects; For example you can go for a head shot or you might want to take out an enemy's legs so they fall and you can follow up with another attack. That would be another thing; You can attack your enemies at certain points using the new 'action button' system, which allows you to be more creative. The 'action button' also is active at certain points in the game, whether it be to climb up a rock or ladder, or to dodge attacks they come at you during the interactive cutscenes in the game.

The game has a great story, as do most Resident Evil titles, and you always feel involved. Lets not forget the introduction of the merchant. When you come in contact with a merchant, you are able to buy and sell weapons and treasures in order to help you progress through the game. It also makes the game more enjoyable than the others in that you are able to upgrade your individual weapons in various categories as this allows for more effective use and more control to the player.

Where in the other Resident Evil games, or even other survival-horror games in general, you may feel rather limited, in Resident Evil 4 you feel more free; Free to explore areas without worrying if you're going to waste ammo or time. The control scheme is one of the best in any game in it's genre, and it goes without saying that it opens more options to the player which is always a good thing.

The game's graphics are extremely good as well, and they are consistent throughout the game. Resident Evil 4 has been released on various game consoles, and the quality is quite consistent on all of them. There are so many things to unlock, ranging from character costumes to extra gaming modes and difficulties, as well as bonus materials and minigames such as 'Mercenaries'. So even when you are finished playing through the addictive single-player story mode for the hundreth time, you still have plenty of more extra material to enjoy, which drives the replay value through the roof.

Hardcore fans of the Resident Evil series might be thrown off by the new system, and some of them may or may not come around. Some players may argue that the game is too easy, which it may be for them considering it is one of the less difficult games out there in the genre. Some may even go as far as to say that the poor control scheme from the previous games added to the fear in that the less control a player has over things, the more frightened they feel, and thats what these types of games are supposed to focus on.

While some may enjoy feeling handicapped in some areas in order to be challenged, I'd prefer to have more control. If anything you can always attempt to make the game more difficult for yourself by handicapping your own options. The game itself may not be as difficult as its predecessors, but it isn't that easy either. Its in the perfect position to bring the old-school survivor-horror fans and newcomers to the genre or series satisfied. The game is fun, creative, revolutionary, and its addictive. The graphics are great, the replay value is amazing, and its really hard to put the game down. One thing is for sure: This game rocks!

Eli wrote:

Resident Evil 4 review

The Resident Evil series really changed things in the survival-horror genre. Ever since the first Resident Evil game on PS1, the community was hooked. At the time of its release, that was the game to play. There was always that trend of planting you alone somewhere with limited weapons and ammo, with a huge area to explore... and lets not forget the unpredictability. The player would never know what to expect around each corner, as many areas and enemies in the game changed with subsequent visits.

The first one is more of what coined the term survival-horror, creating it rather then changing it. And if I remember correctly I think the 2nd one is supposedly the fan boy favorite.

Eli wrote:

However, as all games do, the Resident Evil series had its flaws. Where the series failed mostly would most probably be the control scheme. It was always very difficult to maneuver around obstacles, whether it be a bloodthirsty zombie or just any room with traps, it was a hassle sometimes. Aside from that, you'd have a lot of trouble killing enemies because of your options with the controls. Aiming your weapon would focus on three different heights: Low, medium, and high. It would be particularly hard to land well-placed shots, like a head shot for example, without being the perfect distance away from your enemy, or being at the perfect angle. It was things like this that would drive players to feel the need to run around most enemies in the game and ignore them, and when they reached an enemy that they had to defeat in order to progress, they'd struggle a lot with the control scheme.

Camera angles, can't forget those camera angles.

Eli wrote:

And then there was Resident Evil 4. This game completely reshaped the series. For one thing, you're not fighting against the same old zombies you fought against in the previous games. Resident Evil 4 tends to break apart from its predecessors in that you're always in possession of enough ammo, and you don't need to use an ink ribbon to save your file, you can do it as often as you'd like. The previous games in the series all limited your # of saves in such a way, and that would be troublesome to those who don't enjoy longer periods of gaming, as players may sometimes feel obligated to continue their file when they didn't want to just to hold on to that extra ink ribbon.

You might also have to replay a part if your first run didn't go so smoothly in the previous games. ex. wasted ammo, took too much damage, etc.

Eli wrote:

The biggest difference between Resident Evil 4 and the previous games in the series is the gameplay. The gameplay has been completely revamped, and as a result the control scheme has as well. The game follows an 'over-the-shoulder' aiming system which opens a variety of options for the player when it comes to where to shoot in order to cause certain effects; For example you can go for a head shot or you might want to take out an enemy's legs so they fall and you can follow up with another attack. That would be another thing; You can attack your enemies at certain points using the new 'action button' system, which allows you to be more creative. The 'action button' also is active at certain points in the game, whether it be to climb up a rock or ladder, or to dodge attacks they come at you during the interactive cutscenes in the game.

The interactive cutscenes were more of a hassle (in my opinion) and weren't well received within the community.

Eli wrote:

The game has a great story, as do most Resident Evil titles, and you always feel involved. Lets not forget the introduction of the merchant. When you come in contact with a merchant, you are able to buy and sell weapons and treasures in order to help you progress through the game. It also makes the game more enjoyable than the others in that you are able to upgrade your individual weapons in various categories as this allows for more effective use and more control to the player.

Merchant = voice acting at its best. I always liked the RE story, some people don't but those guys can go fuck themselves.

Eli wrote:

Where in the other Resident Evil games, or even other survival-horror games in general, you may feel rather limited, in Resident Evil 4 you feel more free; Free to explore areas without worrying if you're going to waste ammo or time. The control scheme is one of the best in any game in it's genre, and it goes without saying that it opens more options to the player which is always a good thing.

I agree, and fans of the predecessor who disagree are nostalgic fags.

Eli wrote:

The game's graphics are extremely good as well, and they are consistent throughout the game. Resident Evil 4 has been released on various game consoles, and the quality is quite consistent on all of them. There are so many things to unlock, ranging from character costumes to extra gaming modes and difficulties, as well as bonus materials and minigames such as 'Mercenaries'. So even when you are finished playing through the addictive single-player story mode for the hundreth time, you still have plenty of more extra material to enjoy, which drives the replay value through the roof.

Hardcore fans of the Resident Evil series might be thrown off by the new system, and some of them may or may not come around. Some players may argue that the game is too easy, which it may be for them considering it is one of the less difficult games out there in the genre. Some may even go as far as to say that the poor control scheme from the previous games added to the fear in that the less control a player has over things, the more frightened they feel, and thats what these types of games are supposed to focus on.

While some may enjoy feeling handicapped in some areas in order to be challenged, I'd prefer to have more control. If anything you can always attempt to make the game more difficult for yourself by handicapping your own options. The game itself may not be as difficult as its predecessors, but it isn't that easy either. Its in the perfect position to bring the old-school survivor-horror fans and newcomers to the genre or series satisfied. The game is fun, creative, revolutionary, and its addictive. The graphics are great, the replay value is amazing, and its really hard to put the game down. One thing is for sure: This game rocks!

Good work, but I'd look into the Resident Evil Retrospective on game trailers. It has quite a bit of info.

maybe you should summarize your review with some highlights, so while someone who is going by can get like a basic gist of whats going on

Example:

STUFF I WRITE ABOUT

me talking here about a lot of complicated stuff that you might want to read if you are someone who is interested in the title of my stuff and the things its about and other stuff like this that you read now yes sir please go on a head good sir sir sirr yess goodness god exists and were all doomed because he is actually a big fake phony and no one really cares about him and why is it that hes a he and not a she wtf noob and nubs stfu and move on... niggers and white people are the same actually so i don't know what you're talking about thanks

another paragraph starting here and i dont even know why but it is like what is this all about stuf noob its a new one and live with it so keep reading what i type nub noob bublet you like how both paragraphs are part of the same sentance haheho live with it i hate periods anyway and same goes for the commas fuck commas who needs commas those commaniggas ne god damn how do i keep typing...

• im better than you

• god is real

• get a LIFE!