Story
In 2004, six years after the events of Resident Evil 2 and 3, the Umbrella Corporation's secretive activities within Raccoon City have become a public affair. Following an investigation conducted by the U.S. government, several Umbrella officials are implicated and prosecuted. The government indefinitely suspends Umbrella's business, causing the company to become bankrupt.
The game's main protagonist is Leon S. Kennedy, one of the few survivors of the Raccoon City incident, who was recruited by the U.S. government to become a secret agent after they learned of his actions in Raccoon City. Leon is sent on a mission to rescue Ashley Graham, the President's daughter, who has been kidnapped by a mysterious cult. Leon travels to a Spanish-speaking village in Europe, where he encounters a horde of unruly villagers who pledge their lives to Los Illuminados, the cult that perpetrated Ashley's kidnapping.
During the course of the mission, Leon is reunited with Ada Wong, a woman he met in Resident Evil 2, and Jack Krauser, one of Leon's former friends from his years of government training, thought to be dead. He also meets Luis Sera, a former Los Illuminados researcher, who aids Leon on his mission before he is killed. By examining Sera's notes, Leon discovers that Los Illuminados gained control of their subjects by implanting a mind-controlling parasite known as Las Plagas into their bodies.
After Osmund Saddler, the leader of the cult, discovers that Leon has rescued Ashley, he commands his subjects to use any means to recover her. Meanwhile, after defeating the village chief Bitorez Mendez, Leon and Ashley take refuge inside Salazar's castle. A surprise attack by Salazar's minions leads to Ashley's recapture, forcing Leon to travel to a military and research complex located on a nearby island. After numerous altercations with Saddler's forces, Leon is able to successfully rescue Ashley, and defeat Saddler with Ada's assistance.
From Saddler's remains Leon retrieves the Plagas sample, only to be forced by Ada to hand it over. She then escapes from the complex in a helicopter, leaving Leon and Ashley to escape via jet-ski.
Gameplay
Resident Evil 4's game mechanics have been completely redesigned to incorporate fast-paced gunplay, quick controls and shootouts involving massive crowds of enemies in large open areas. This, combined with an abundance of healing items and ammunition, results in a different gameplay experience from other Resident Evil games. Previous titles in the series have focused on exploration and conservation of ammunition. A typical play-through can result in the player killing upwards of 900 enemies.
Changes
Because the game contains no zombies, this installment is a radical departure from the series formula. Instead, the main enemies are parasitically-controlled humans referred to as "Los Ganados" (Spanish for 'the cattle'). Significantly smarter and quicker than the zombies from previous games, Ganados are a very different sort of foe. These new enemies dodge, wield melee and projectile weapons, and are capable of working collectively and communicating with each other. Once simple farmers, these Ganados are the product of an infestation of Las Plagas, which are powerful mind-controlling parasites.
Leon fighting Ganados in the beginning of the game
Leon fighting Ganados in the beginning of the game
Resident Evil 4 also contains changes to the inventory, camera angles, and movement control system. Normally, the camera remains behind the player character, who is visible from the waist up, and stands just left of the center of the screen. The camera zooms in for an over-the-shoulder view when the aiming button is pressed, and all projectile weapons (save for those with telescopic sights) are given a laser sight for precision aiming. This feature was removed in the Wii version in favor of an aiming reticule controlled by the Wii Remote.With the inclusion of a laser sight, the game gives players an unprecedented amount of control in their attacks. Previous Resident Evil games only allowed players to aim their weapon up, down, or level; Resident Evil 4 expands this considerably, and enemies respond differently to bullet impacts to various parts of the body. For example, a shot to the foot may cause an approaching enemy to stumble, while a shot to the arm might make an enemy drop their weapon. Ammunition is more plentiful than in previous installments, primarily because some enemies drop ammunition after they are defeated. Weapons may be purchased from and continuously upgraded by the merchant using the currency in the game, the peseta.
Item management has also undergone significant change. While previous installments restricted a character to carrying a set number of items, Resident Evil 4 bases the number of items a character may carry on a grid system in which each item takes up a set of squares on the grid. The player's carrying capacity may be expanded by purchasing larger attaché cases. In addition, key items are now kept separately from weapons and healing supplies, allowing the player to acquire them without dropping current items or backtracking to the nearest item chest to make room. Treasures may be sold to the merchant for pesetas. The healing herbs from the previous games are back. In addition to the traditional green and red herbs, is the yellow herb, which when combined with a green herb (or a mixed herb) increases the player's maximum health.
Another new aspect of Resident Evil 4 is the inclusion of context-sensitive controls. Based on the situation, the player can interact with specific aspects of their environment, such as by kicking down a ladder, jumping out of a window, or dodging an enemy attack. The player can perform a mêlée attack against enemies while the enemy is stunned or on his or her knees. There are also dynamic cut scenes, in which the player must press buttons indicated on-screen to execute actions such as dodging a falling boulder or wrestling an enemy to stay alive. The Wii version altered this concept slightly by having the player shake the motion-sensitive controller instead of pressing a combination of buttons. This technique is sometimes employed in boss fights against one-hit kill attacks. The game also features a dedicated knife button, which the player can use in addition to firearms.
The game also features a more cinematic presentation by using letterboxing. Loading times are kept to a minimum, unlike previous Resident Evil games, where moving between areas required a load screen. In Resident Evil 4, the game loads only between areas denoted by green action text. An area may feature anything from a few buildings to a huge military base. Doors are manipulated by pressing 'action' next to them, after which the character opens the door slowly and quietly, or the character will give it a push or a kick (which can stun enemies) if 'action' is pressed twice. Cutscenes load almost instantaneously, keeping the pace consistent. However, the PlayStation 2 version loads slower, and has lower fidelity sound effects outside of cutscenes.
Ashley Graham.
Ashley Graham (voiced by Carolyn Lawrence) is the president's daughter, taken captive
by Los Illuminados during her trip home. Leon's initial objective in the game is to ascertain her whereabouts and retrieve her. After meeting her, it is revealed that she has been implanted with a Plaga parasite, so that the cult could gain control of her before returning her to the U.S.. The rest of the game becomes a quest for Leon and Ashley to find a way to remove the parasites inside their bodies before they fall under Saddler's control. When Ashley is with Leon, it is the player's duty to protect her. The player takes control of Ashley in one chapter of the game.Ada Wong
Ada Wong is a recurring video game character appearing in the Resident Evil video game series. A mysterious American woman of Chinese descent, Ada is a cunning and formidable secret agent. She is voiced by actress Sally Cahill in both of her playable appearances.
History
Ada was first mentioned by name in a document entitled "Researcher's Letter", in the original Resident Evil. The letter, written by a dying researcher named John, is addressed to his girlfriend and co-worker Ada. Ada made her first appearance in Resident Evil 2, serving as the partner character to Leon S. Kennedy and as a playable character during certain sections. Under the guise of an ordinary citizen, she requests Leon's aid, claiming to be looking for her missing boyfriend in Raccoon City. However, she learns that John died during the Mansion Incident (Resident Evil) and attempts to escape the city with Leon. She develops romantic feelings for Leon, but gets injured during a battle against the mutated William Birkin. Later it is revealed that Ada is actually a spy for an unnamed organization, sent to retrieve the G-Virus sample. She does not escape with Leon and the others and is presumed dead at the outcome of the game. Her on-screen death differs depending on the order in which Leon's half of the game is played. In the Leon A scenario, she confronts Leon before being shot by Annette Birkin and appears to fall to her death from a catwalk. In the Leon B scenario, she confronts the Tyrant, before being mortally wounded and dying. Despite her apparent death, she comes out of the shadows to help the player near the end of the second scenario by providing the rocket launcher needed to destroy the Tyrant. Ada is also a fully playable character in the "Extreme Battle" minigame added to later versions of the game.
A character-specific epilogue in Resident Evil 3: Nemesis does confirm her survival and Wesker's Report, a fictional documentary published to promote the release of Resident Evil Code: Veronica expands on Ada's role in Resident Evil 2. The organization Ada works for is revealed to be the same one that hired Albert Wesker in Code: Veronica. Moreover, Wesker worked with Ada behind the scenes to retrieve the G-Virus and it was he who saved her life.
Ada returned alongside Leon in Resident Evil 4. Taking place six years after the events of Resident Evil 2, the game reunites the two characters, as Ada assists Leon on his mission to rescue Ashley Graham. However her true objective is to retrieve a sample of Las Plagas parasite from cult leader Osmund Saddler and she does fulfill
this mission in the end. While not playable in the main game, Ada has the starring role in the minigame "Assignment Ada", which depicts Ada retrieving the sample for Wesker. Another minigame, "The Mercenaries", features Ada as one of five playable characters. When Capcom ported the game to the PlayStation 2, a third minigame titled "Separate Ways" was added. This depicts Ada's actions during the main storyline, featuring new plot revelations. "Separate Ways" is supplemented by the five-part "Ada's Report", in which Ada reveals several secrets; including how she supplies Wesker with a false virus sample instead of the one that she retrieves in the game and that she is actually working for another organization against Wesker's efforts.Luis Sera
Luis Sera (voiced by Rino Romano) is a researcher hired by Saddler. He befriends Leon early in the game and turns up to aid Leon and Ashley in various locations. He is eventually killed by Saddler shortly after retrieving the Plagas sample.
The "Separate Ways" scenario and "Ada's Report" documentary added to the PS2, PC and
Wii version of the game expands on Luis's role, depicting him in league with Ada Wong and the organization she works with (a connection that was only implied in the main game). He leaves notes and files in various locations throughout the game.Ingrid Hunnigan
Ingrid Hunnigan (voiced by Salli Saffioti) is Leon's primary radio contact and his only link to headquarters. She provides the player with general gameplay tips and hints between chapters early in the game. Leon loses contact with her after he first enters Ramon Salazar's castle in which the communication line is hijacked by Los Illuminados. Salazar (and later Saddler) takes over the transmission to taunt Leon between missions. Leon does not regain contact with Hunnigan until after the end credits.
Jack Krauser
Jack Krauser (voiced by Jim Ward) is a mercenary hired by Lord Saddler and is responsible for Ashley's kidnapping. A former U.S. agent, he was once a friend of Leon until he was presumed dead two years before the events of the game. In reality, he was working with Albert Wesker and infiltrated Los Illuminados in order to procure the sample of Las Plagas to aid Wesker's plans. In addition to being a skilled knife fighter and archer, Krauser possesses superhuman speed and strength, can jump great distances, and is endowed with the ability to transform his left arm into a giant mutated claw.
Krauser and Ada are both sent by Wesker to obtain the Plagas sample, but they soon
openly turn on each other after Ada foils Krauser's initial attempt on Leon's life. Leon later fights Krauser again in a set of ruins on the island. At the end of this battle, Krauser is assumed to be dead. However, in the "Separate Ways" mini-game it is revealed that he survived his battle with Leon when he fights and loses to Ada. Krauser appears as the end boss in the "Assignment: Ada" mini-game. He is also a playable character in the "The Mercenaries" mini-game, in which his transformed arm can be used as a special attack by the player. In addition, the "Ada's Report" documentary expands on Krauser's role in the storylineOsmund Saddler
Lord Saddler with his staff.
Osmund Saddler (voiced by Michael Gough) is the main antagonist of Resident Evil 4. He is the leader of a cult known as Los Illuminados, which seeks to control the world. He has converted the local population into Ganados and now controls them using the Plaga parasites in their bodies. His plan was to put the parasite into Ashley and send her back to the U.S. to infect the president, allowing Saddler to begin his conquest of the world.
Saddler encounters Leon and Ashley frequently, first setting his minions on them,
then using his growing power over their Plaga-infected bodies to control their actions.Leon finally confronts Saddler on a platform high above the island, where Saddler transforms into a massive multi-legged monster. Despite Saddler's considerable strength in this form, Leon manages to defeat him.
Bitores Mendez
Bitores Mendez (voiced by Jesse Corti) is the village chief encountered by Leon early in the game. He is a tall imposing figure with superhuman strength. He leads the hunt for Leon and Ashley early in the game and leaves various notes and documents around the village, typically orders for the Ganados.
Ramon Salazar
Ramon Salazar (voiced by Rene Mujica) is the eighth castellan of the castle that serves as a setting for part of the game. Salazar's ancestor, the first castellan, was responsible for sealing Las Plagas in his castle centuries ago and dissolving the cult that worshiped them. Salazar himself, however, aided in unearthing Las Plagas and reviving the cult, having been corrupted by Saddler. His diminutive stature, gray hair and wrinkled face give him the appearance of an old man, but he states that he is only 20 years old. He is protected by two cloaked bodyguards known as Verdugos.
Leon and Ashley encounter Salazar at many points as they make their way through his
castle. He uses various means to capture Ashley and neutralize Leon, usually involving his minions, the Ganados or various booby traps. But during the last confrontation, where Leon catches up to Salazar and the remaining Verdugo, Salazar elects to stand and fight. He and his Verdugo merge with an enormous Plaga and emerge bonded into one huge tentacled entity.The Merchant
The Merchant opens his trench coat to reveal a plethora of arms and ammunition.
The Merchant is a recurring salesman, dealing
in weapons and items. He can also upgrade the player’s weaponry, increasing their ammunition capacity, firepower, reload speed, or rate of fire. He also operates numerous shooting galleries in few places in the game, where the player can win prizes.Reception
Resident Evil 4 has garnered critical acclaim. It has received dozens of awards from various organizations (see below) and stellar reviews from various video game websites.[3]
The Nintendo GameCube version was released in the United States on January 11, 2005 with U.S. sales exceeding 320,000 copies in the first 20 days. The European release on March the 18th mirrored this success, selling its entire 200,000 unit allocation within the first month. As of January 2006, reported sales of Resident Evil 4 show that it has shipped over 3,000,000 copies world wide. Sales totals include the PlayStation 2 port that was released on October 25, 2005.[4]
The game was considered by critics and fans as a top contender for 2005's Game of the Year. The fourth iteration (although it is the sixth game in the main series, which includes Code: Veronica and Zero) has made fans out of players who would not otherwise have given the Resident Evil series a second glance.[5]
According to January 17, 2007 sales figures provided by Capcom, the GameCube version of Resident Evil 4 has sold a total of 1.6 million units worldwide, and the PS2 has sold over 2 million units.[6]
Both the GameCube and PS2 versions of Resident Evil 4 scored over 95% on Game Rankings[7] and 100% on Rotten Tomatoes,[8] two review aggregator sites. Nintendo Power also gave it a perfect 10, and named it their 2005 Game of the Year. It also ranked #2 on their NP Top 200 list (featuring the best games ever on Nintendo consoles), behind only The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. The Official PlayStation Magazine named it the Game Of The Year on the PlayStation 2 . Game Informer gave both editions of Resident Evil 4 a perfect score, and ranked it their 2005 Game of the Year. It tied with Kingdom Hearts II as Famitsu's Game of The Year 2005.[9]
Subsequently, Resident Evil 4 was named 'Game of the Year' at the 2005 Spike TV Video Game Awards.[10]. Also, the television show X-Play, on Channel G4, named it the greatest game since the beginning of the series in April 2003.
Nintendo GameCube exclusivity
In September 2001, Capcom announced that the core Resident Evil series would become exclusive to the Nintendo GameCube with three new games: an enhanced remake of the original Resident Evil, a prequel titled Resident Evil 0 and Resident Evil 4. Capcom had previously proposed a version of Resident Evil 4 for PlayStation 2, but the idea was revamped into Devil May Cry.
As a result of heavy losses incurred in 2002, the company later confirmed that not all the Resident Evil series games were actually exclusive to the console, with the exception of Resident Evil 4. Shinji Mikami, in an interview with a Japanese magazine, claimed that he would "cut [his own] head off" if Resident Evil 4 came to the PlayStation 2. [citation needed]
After the announcement of the exclusivity policy, Capcom still announced two Resident Evil titles for the PlayStation 2; Gun Survivor 4 (Resident Evil: Dead Aim) and Outbreak. Capcom stated that those games were side stories and not subject to the GameCube policy, adding that the games also required the use of additional peripherals (a light gun and online support) that were not available for the GameCube.
On October 31, 2004, Capcom officially announced that Resident Evil 4 would come to the PlayStation 2 near the end of 2005, citing increased profit, changing market conditions, and increased consumer satisfaction as the key reasons (this, and that Capcom was equally pleased with the sole sales of Resident Evil Outbreak). Resident Evil (remake) and Resident Evil Zero would remain GameCube exclusives.[citation needed]
On February 1, 2006, Ubisoft announced that they would be publishing the game on the PC.[11]
On April 4, 2007, a Wii version was revealed to be in production, and was launched later in the year. The game features all of the extras in the PS2 version, along with other additions, including a trailer for Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles. The extra material, improved graphics, and the use of the Wii Remote were praised by critics. One review labeled it as the ultimate version of the game.[12]
Despite the fact that Resident Evil 4 later appeared on other platforms, the GameCube version sold over 500,000 units in the United States alone, earned several Game of the Year awards, achieved Player's Choice status, and became available at a reduced cost from $49.99 to $19.99.[13]
Special editions and bonuses
* Before the release date of Resident Evil 4, Capcom offered a pre-orderable collector's pack that was found only through the website itself. This collectible pack, limited to only 100 in existence, included the Resident Evil 4 game, the Prologue Art Book and a white t-shirt with a black logo of the name on the front, and the Resident Evil website address on the back.
* Another pre-order was established for the PlayStation 2, in both a standard and collector's bundle. The standard package included the game and a dark blue t-shirt (with a small Capcom logo printed on the left, front side of the shirt, with the PlayStation 2 game cover on the back and the resident evil website on the lower bottom). The collector's bundle ($119.95) included the game and t- shirt, as well as a Leon Kennedy figurine, sculpted by NECA and a black Biohazard Sound Chronicle Best Track Box, that contains 6 discs in solid black cases and a CD booklet with information on lists of selected songs. This was quickly sold out, and a second press was released that did not include Leon Kennedy but Ada Wong instead. This version was unknown whether it was limited to 100 or not.
* During the GameCube launch, the retailer chain GameStop released Resident Evil 4 in a limited special edition, packaged in a tin box, along with an artwork book about the story of the series, a cel art of Leon, and a soundtrack CD.[14]
* The PlayStation 2 also saw a special edition, (but official, released by Capcom itself), packaged in a "fake tin" plastic case, along with the artwork book, a documentary DVD, and a cel art of Ada.[15]
* Game developer Nubytech also made a special chainsaw controller. This controller is a reference to Dr. Salvador, the chainsaw-wielding Ganado. The GameCube version is colored yellow, while the PlayStation 2 controller has an orange color.[16] The controller is very detailed in appearance (which features blood-stains and a bloody image of Leon). However, due to its less-than-ideal layout and cost, it is seen more as a collector's item rather than an enhancement to the gameplay. The Chainsaw controller also contains motion sensitivity in the PS2 version only; raising and lowering the controller can be used as a mechanism to make Leon take aim with his weapon.
* NECA made a license agreement with Capcom to sculpt action figures of characters based on the game.
* Available in Japan for purchase for a short time was a "Leon S. Kennedy" outfit package. It contained Leon's fur jacket, a pair of Leon's boots and a "Las Plagas" sample vial filled with cologne.
Wii edition
Resident Evil 4: Wii edition includes Wii Remote and Nunchuk compatibility for numerous gameplay features such as aiming and shooting, reloading and a "search knife" function that aims the knife at the nearest enemy. Players can switch between the Wii Remote and Nunchuk, the GameCube Controller and the Classic Controller at any time, depending on their preferred style of play. Nevertheless, in order to use the GameCube Controller, nothing can be connected to the Wii Remote.
Resident Evil 4: Wii edition
When playing with the Wii Remote and Nunchuk, the laser sight on guns is replaced with a reticle that flashes red (enemy) and green (no target) when a gun is drawn.
The reticle is always present on screen, remaining a faint grey color that keeps track of the player's aim. This allows the player to aim and draw the gun, retaining the original aim (except while using a scoped weapon, such as the rifle or rocket launcher).The Japanese version has its gore toned down and decapitations removed in the final product just as it did on the GameCube. Footage of the Japanese version caused some to worry that the North American version would also be censored. The North American version, however, remains uncensored.[23]
The Wii edition also includes the extra content from the PlayStation 2 and PC versions. It was released in North America on June 19, 2007, and in Europe on June 29, 2007. This version also includes a trailer for Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles.[24] In addition, the Wii edition supports 480p and 16:9 widescreen, as opposed to the 480p and 4:3 letterbox format of the GCN version. The game also maintains a consistent 30FPS, as opposed to past versions which had occurrences of slowdown in hectic moments.[citation needed] Otherwise, the visual quality remains very similar to the GCN iteration. [25] Like the GCN version, the game features in-game cutscenes. However, the video clips found in Movie Browser and Separate Ways are FMVs. Also regarding the in-game cutscenes, if the player happens to choose mobster Leon and knight armor Ashley as their costumes for the game, in the cutscenes they will only appear in their normal default costumes.
The Japanese magazine Famitsu reviewed the game, with two editors giving the game a perfect 10 score, and the remaining pair giving it a 9, resulting in a score of 38/40. The reviewers noted that the game's improved controls offer something fresh and different. One reviewer said that the game offers the feeling of being closer to the action as well as upping the tension. Multiple reviewers agreed that even those who own the original will find something fun and enjoyable in this version.[26] British magazine NGamer gave the Wii edition a score of 96%, higher than the 95% given to the GameCube version. They praised the visuals, controls and features and commented on the fact that such an "exceptional package" was on sale for only £30, however when writing about the Wii controls they said "if you've played the GC version this won't be as special". IGN gave the game a 9.0, stating it was the superior edition, but doesn't push the Wii like it did with Gamecube and PS2. Gamespot gave Wii edition a score of 9.1, praised the new controls, but commented on the lack of exclusive Wii features [27]
Graphics
Some graphical differences exist between the GameCube and PlayStation versions. The game is presented in widescreen on both formats: the GameCube version features a 4:3 letter-boxed format and 480p, while the PlayStation 2 version can be displayed in 16:9 widescreen and 480p. The GameCube version proves to be graphically superior, with the PS2 version containing less lighting effects, some washed-out textures, and slightly lower polygon counts. The PS2 version also contains pre-rendered cutscenes opposed to the real-time ones in the GameCube version. This means when the player selects the unlockable outfits, the characters will still be wearing the default outfits during cutscenes.[citation needed]
The Wii edition features the original graphics of the GameCube version, in-engine cutscenes (with the exception of the original PS2 version extras, costumes, and cutscenes) and supports both a 16:9 widescreen mode and 480p.
Development History
Officially announced in 2001, Resident Evil 4 underwent a long development period in which three proposed versions of the game were discarded by the developers before the finished product was released in 2005.
An earlier attempt in developing Resident Evil 4 was made from 1998 to 2000 for the PlayStation 2, with Resident Evil 2 director Hideki Kamiya leading the project. The first year was primarily spent on research of what the project would be, and included a trip to Spain for the development staff to study Spanish architecture. The direction that the project took was considered too much of a departure from the traditional Resident Evil style and the resulting game was revamped and released as Devil May Cry in 2001. In Devil May Cry, several similarities can be observed when compared to the Resident Evil games, due to the fact that Devil May Cry began its development known as "Resident Evil 4."
The development of Resident Evil 4 got its official start in 2001 for the GameCube as part of an exclusivity agreement between Capcom and Nintendo. The first proposed version, dubbed the Fog Version, was unveiled in the Tokyo Game Show in 2002 and had Hiroshi Shibata (background designer for Resident Evil 3: Nemesis) attached to the project. This version's premise featured Leon infiltrating Umbrella's HQ in Europe, getting infected by the Progenitor Virus (covered in the Resident Evil remake and Resident Evil 0) and fighting fog-like creatures. One of the most notable areas shown in this version was a flying airship. However, Capcom scrapped the second beta of Resident Evil 4 quietly and created a new version without any outside announcement.
Hooked Man
Hooked Man
After the Fog Version came the Hooked Man Version. First shown at the E3 in 2003, this version was set in a haunted mansion and featured Leon fighting what appeared to be paranormal enemies, such as medieval suits of armor and living dolls. It also seemed that there are two different worlds, one relatively normal and one where the bizarre enemies would appear, similar in many ways to the Silent Hill game series. The most notable enemy in this version was the aforementioned "Hooked Man," who was intended to be a recurring enemy in the game, along the lines of the role of the "Nemesis." The game displayed numerous elements that have been carried over to the final release:
* The over-the-shoulder perspective when Leon's weapon is drawn. However, in the video, there are a few times when Leon aims without the over-the-shoulder camera. The game reverts to a third-person view like a traditional Resident Evil game.
* A red laser sight for Leon to use during aiming.
* The flashlight that is added to Leon's character design.
* A suit of armour suddenly attacking Leon when he attempts to pass it, as well as the button combination to dodge the attack.
* The ability to throw a grenade.
* The concept of assigning the L button to draw another type of weapon. In the beta version, the weapon was a grenade; in the final release, the weapon was a combat knife.
* The 'struggle' feature where player has to break free from an enemy's grasp.
* Leon's health indicator. In the beta, it flashes when Leon is hurt, but in the final release the developers decided to add a HUD to display more information.
This version was reportedly so scary that Shinji Mikami himself warned the gamers with a famous quote "Don't pee your pants" prior showing the initial trailer at E3. Gameplay footage of this version was featured in the Biohazard 4 Secret DVD released in Japan only. This version was scrapped for being far too paranormal for the Resident Evil plot.
The final proposal before the finished product reportedly featured zombies as enemies once again. Not much was known about this version as it was never shown publicly. It was considered too formulaic by the developers and was discarded. After this, Shinji
Mikami took over directorial duties from Shibata and began working on the version that was released.At the last beta version, again, several things were changed during the development. Resident Evil 4 was to retain the inventory slot system, but was changed to the attache case.
In much interest, it seems that this is the first Resident Evil game in the series that reject the "Survival Horror" theme in favor for the "Survival Action" genre: In the packaging art in the back of the Nintendo Gamecube version it says Forget everything you know about Resident Evil, while the PlayStation 2 packaging art in the back reads Forget everything you ever knew about survival horror.
There's a very good chance that you've already played Resident Evil 4 on the GameCube or PlayStation 2 (or, heaven forbid, the PC). Yet the best games are worth playing through all over again. Not only does RE4 itself remain a heart-pounding thrill ride and a modern classic, but the Wii Remote and Nunchuk controls breathe new life into a game that is still a treat to play, two years after release.
Un forastero!
If by some miracle of chance you haven't played Resident Evil 4 yet, you've got some catching up to do. You play as Leon S. Kennedy, a secret agent in charge of recovering the president's kidnapped daughter. His search leads to a creepy Spanish village whose residents are, well, not quite lucid. The story drops the occasional cliché, but for the most part, it avoids the usual horror pratfalls to deliver an interesting, intense narrative with a number of fascinating characters. It's also genuinely creepy, leading you through abandoned farmhouses, dank churches, and dripping caves, all the while throwing progressively weirder and stronger enemies at you. Like the PS2 version, it also includes a side story called Separate Ways, where you take control of spy Ada Wong and explore some of the same storyline from her perspective. Unfortunately, the Wii version doesn't include any new, exclusive content.
At its core, this is the same Resident Evil 4 that multitudes of players have grown to appreciate. It's a carefully paced, often breathtaking action game that keeps you on the edge of your seat with lumbering almost-zombies, chanting cultists, and challenging fights against gargantuan bosses. You view the action from a third-person view, and when you ready a weapon, the camera zooms in close. Once you've drawn your weapon, you can't walk, but you can aim. It all feels very deliberate, but it's perfectly countered by the measured speed at which your enemies approach you. However, you shouldn't take this to mean that the action is any less exciting than in a traditional shooter. These are dangerous foes, and you've got to pump them full of lead before they fall.
The fundamental combat is where the game shines most. Your arsenal consists of pistols, shotguns, rifles, and more, with every weapon producing credible results. Popping pitchfork-wielding villagers will cause them to drop their weapons. Or you can shoot them in the knees to make them momentarily fall to the ground. Because ammunition isn't plentiful, being able to handle a crowd of shambling psychopaths with as few shots as possible is a main priority. You've always got a knife as a last resort, but unless you want to take a chunk of damage, it's better to keep your distance.
But what makes this release so special are the subtle differences wrought by the
version's definitive controls. Movement and turning are controlled using the Nunchuk's analog stick, and you enter aiming mode by using the remote's B button. But the most noticeable improvement is in aiming your weapon. The laser sight has been replaced with an actual reticle that you fully control with the remote, which gives you more mastery over where your shots land. It's absolutely intuitive, more so than the original scheme, but you shouldn't take this to mean that Resident Evil 4 on the Wii is a cakewalk. You will notice an increase in your hit percentage, but hordes of Spanish not-zombies and gigantic boss battles are as nerve-wracking as ever. Granted, there is a subtle softening of the difficulty level due to the greater degree of control. Yet the newfound fluidness in the gunplay is a welcome adjustment, and the controls still contribute to the deliberate pace.Other changes are just as welcome. Getting your knife to find its mark is a lot easier thanks to an auto-aim function that makes melee attacks land on the nearest available target. You can still use a more familiar control scheme by holding C and pressing A to slash, but even better, you can waggle the remote to do it. The same is true of reloading: You can enter aiming mode and push down on the D pad to do it, or wave the remote. The famous context-sensitive actions are still a hallmark of the experience, and the addition of the motion sensing makes them feel fresh again. The end result of all these improvements, both subtle and obvious, is a logical and comfortable control scheme that makes perfect sense and heightens your immersion.
Resident Evil 4 sounds as fantastic as ever. It's a sonic spookfest, from the creepy minimalist soundtrack to the outstanding weapon effects. In fact, the most memorable aspects of the game are accompanied by equally thrilling audio, such as the roar of the humongous bosses or the disturbing murmurs of villagers as they infiltrate your personal space. But even here, the Wii version sneaks in a small but notable enhancement, thanks to the remote speaker. Hearing the swoosh of the knife and the clatter of reloading your shotgun emanate from your own hand sweetens an audio design that was already practically perfect.
El Gigante is an appropriate name for this towering monstrosity.
On the other hand, RE4 on the Wii doesn't bring anything new to the visual table, though like the PS2 version, it supports progressive scan and widescreen displays. Yet it still looks superb, featuring beautifully designed character models and environments that were obviously created with deliberate care and detail. Of particular note are the boss characters, which get more vulgar and imposing as you progress. But even the minor details are impressive, such as flocks of crows that flutter away as you approach or the way flames flicker realistically. And unlike the PS2 and PC versions, which used prerendered cutscenes, the engine renders them in real time here, making the scenes look more natural.
Resident Evil 4 isn't quite as groundbreaking now as it was two years ago when it was first released on the GameCube, but that doesn't make the Wii version any less
dazzling. It is undoubtedly the preferred version for anyone who has yet to experience the thrill of climbing up El Gigante's back, and even if you already have had such an experience in the past, this iteration is still most certainly worth playing. The exquisite controls make this the defining Wii action title and a must-play for anyone who enjoys the act of shooting things.Resident Evil 4
By Kevin VanOrd, GameSpot
Posted Jun 19, 2007 5:59 pm PT
