There aren’t many brands that enjoy the same reverence like that of the Resident Evil franchise. The first game came out in 1998 under the name Biohazard within Japan and later was renamed Resident Evil in the US. It was a huge success and the subsequent two games were very successful both commercially as well as critically. Naturally, after five years of waiting , the benchmark was raised to be set for Resident Evil 4. When the game was released in 2005 and it did not just meet the expectations, but also in a variety of ways, it exceeded the previous games. If you’re an avid PlayStation owner, then you must purchase this game.
Sound, Graphics and Setting:
Resident Evil 4 is centered around Leon S. Kennedy, the main character in the first game returning to seek out the daughter of the president in a village of rural Spain. The story of the game is straightforward, you’re in search of a rescue mission. In the course of the mission, several familiar characters from the previous game are back. One benefit of Resident Evil 4 is that you don’t need to be familiar with the previous games to be able to grasp the game’s mechanics. Capcom provided a short and complete introduction to the initial three game events at the beginning. The story is a enjoyable and stand-alone.
When you start the game, you start out in an abandoned house located near the edge from the community. The game does a fantastic job of creating an frightening atmosphere right from the start. Capcom does an excellent job of mixing just the appropriate amount of suspenseful music and dark, grayish colors to create scary movie-like scenes.
Leon is very well detailed with fluid movement and a good response to the surroundings. The enemies are realistic, featuring a vast range of weapons. The most terrifying and thrilling aspect to Resident Evil 4 are the bosses. Capcom has done a fantastic job in making each boss distinctive and a bit frightening. When the story progresses you’ll feel an underlying sense of excitement and fear of the next boss you’ll encounter.
Graphics: 10/10
Sound/Music: 8/10
Story/Setting: 10/10
Controls and gameplay
The control system within Resident Evil 4 are tight and easy to master. The game is a third-person shooter and has an over-the- shoulder aiming system that’s brand new to the franchise. The new system of aiming is both effective and challenging.
The most significant advantage of the new system for aiming is the ability to make more precise shots. When you shoot enemies in specific areas, it can cause the enemy to respond in various ways. This is beneficial when trying to preserve ammo or take out a large number of enemies fast. In comparison to previous Resident Evil games, this targeting system is far more efficient.
However, the aim system has its fair number of problems. Action in RE4 is extremely fast-paced which often includes Leon fighting off a large number of enemies. When you press your aim key, Leon is unable to move. This could put you in challenging situations where you need to decide if you’d like to move around and avoid enemies or shoot to take them out. In a way , not being in a position to move when you target is realistic and increases the tension. But, it would have been the ideal to fully move while shooting like weapons of war.
The gameplay is perhaps the best feature of RE4. Resident Evil 4 is a highly action-oriented game unlike the previous trilogy however, it is a great combination of suspense and excitement which makes it enjoyable to play. The game is split into chapters and each chapter is located in a different location. The places are typically vast, and can include islands, castles villages, a village, as well as underground tunnels. Each chapter is filled with its own set of new and challenging enemies. Additionally, there are dynamic cutscenes in which you need to hit the button. The cutscenes are fun and keeps you on top off your seats. Resident Evil 4 also has an entirely new system for purchasing weapons that includes a character named the Merchant.
The seller has a range of weapons available and you’ll be able to decide what you want to buy or trade with him. Each weapon has particular strengths and weaknesses. By the time you’ve finished playing, you’ll know the weapon you like best. You can upgrade your weapons at the market, which makes the task of killing enemies much more enjoyable. There’s plenty of puzzles available in Resident Evil 4 which aren’t all that difficult, but can be quite difficult. A majority of these puzzles are free, and when you finish them, you’ll receive a unique item. Resident Evil 4 progresses wonderfully and each chapter is increasingly difficult, and each chapter having distinct obstacles. The music is awe-inspiring and gets louder when action takes place. The problem of the game is that music plays precisely when you encounter an opponent. This can reduce the tension, since whenever you are hearing the music, you can tell that there is a danger in the area. However, the music is superbly orchestrated.
Controls: 8/10
Gameplay: 10/10
Buy or rent? The Final Thoughts
All in all, Resident Evil 4 is an old-fashioned. It’s an absolute must-buy from the PlayStation store on the network. It’s a good storythat is complemented by exciting gameplay , as well as unique enemy types and levels. There is also replayability with new minigames being added and weapons removed. The game contains enough content to give you endless hours of entertainment. Apart from the aim system and the music, this game has a 9/10 rating.
Breakdown
Graphics: 10/10
Sound/Music: 8/10
Story/Setting: 10/10
Controls: 8/10
Gameplay: 10/10
Overall: 9/10
