We know, we know. This review is a little late. I was going to make up some long winded story about how I had the review written out before a bunch of the undead stole my hard drive and took me on a wild goose chase around Raccoon City before I could get it back. I didn't think you'd believe that story though so I'll just come clean: I've spent the past 4 months or so either sitting on the bog or cleaning my under garments.
Resident Evil 4 was a modern classic originating on the GameCube and then spurning a release on the PS2. I'm sure a lot of you reading this review will probably have played this game when it first came out but I am one of those that didn't pick it up first time around and so I'm reviewing Resident Evil 4: Wii Edition as a totally fresh and unique experience.
You play as Leon S. Kennedy who is a secret agent in charge of recovering the president's kidnapped daughter (yes, the plot is very American). Leon's search takes him to a clichéd, horror-film-esque European village providing the perfect backdrop for a horde of awful zombies and horrible things.
While I've built this up to be a pretty cliché setting for a “survival horror" type game, I want to genuinely highlight at this point that the game actually is creepy. It plays on your paranoia with a combination of sound effects, wind swirls, musical slurs and excellent lighting physics. It's not so dark that you can't see what's going on but it is dark enough to make you wonder what is around the corner. You will not want to just leg it through this game as it pays to take care with every move you make, as if you were Leon himself.
Aside from the main adventure also included in this game is a side story called “Separate Ways" in which you explore much of the same plot from the perspective of a spy named Ada Wong. This adds to the longevity of the game immensely and helps to fill in gaps from the story however unfortunately there is no additional content specific to the Wii version.
For those of you unfamiliar with the Resident Evil series, this iteration plays in pretty much the same way we've come to expect. You view the action from a third person perspective and when you arm your weapon the camera zooms in a little closer to allow you to pick apart the oncoming flock of nasties.
What makes the Wii version so fresh is the control scheme. As expected you move your character with the nunchuck's analogue stick, using the Z-button to run and the C-button to arm your knife. Striking your knife is controlled by the swinging of the Wii remote which works pretty much flawlessly every time. However it is the use of the aiming functionality of the Wii remote that provides the biggest change. By pressing the B-button you arm your weapon and thus are shown a targeting receptacle on the screen which can be moved by moving the Wii-remote. You then fire by pressing the A-button. While this system does take away some of the games difficulty that was invoked by the inaccuracy of using the joystick in the original version of the game the boss battles are no less intense and it's a trifle more rewarding to know you actually had to aim to get that head shot.
It's fair to say that audio usually gets overlooked when a game is reviewed but in horror games audio is usually one of the most compelling things. The sound of the guns is particularly amazing as you hear the bullet fire across the landscape and the shells bounce on the floor. The guns just seem to cut through the silence and return and eerie reverberation caused by the open plain in which Leon is placed. There is also sound added to the Wii Remote such as the “swoosh" of the knife adding to the 3D sound that the Wii can provide – although granted it does sound a little tinny at times.
While I'm told the graphics aren't a great enhancement on the GameCube version they are still nothing short of breathtaking – as I've already mentioned the lighting effects are phenomenal and all the characters are rendered gloriously. This game may be a few years old but graphically it's some of the best we've seen on the Wii so far – whether that tells its own tale about the hardware itself is a totally different debate.
Conclusion
As a newcomer to Resident Evil 4 I can safely say that this game has the freshness and polish of a brand new game. The controls are spectacular (to a degree where I'd say the game was made for them) and the graphics are engrossing. Tie in an incredible (if not somewhat clichéd) storyline and atmosphere you could slice with a knife and you have one of the games of the year on your hands. Seriously – clear your mind that you've completed this before and just play it all over again. You won't regret it.
Comments 26
Although it's a port it just had to get 10 out of 10. The game stands up on it's own as if it were totally unique and fresh and there really is nothing bad you can pick out about it.
It's also £5 cheaper than most Wii releases.
One thing... is it scary? Because I am awful with anything slightly scary.
I've always been tempted to try this one...
It's not scary in the sense that it's gonna keep you up all night but it'll make you jump from time to time.
Yeah that sums the game up right! It's an excellent game, and with the Wii controls the game went up so much.
I thought the controls were bad! Doing simple things like turning while shooting are very difficult to accomplish. I'd only give it 8/10
Only in action movies do people turn round, shoot three zombies and run away getting headshots from over their shoulder. This game was real - just like that awful click you got when you realised you had no bullets and had to run away.
But opinions are what make life fun so I take your point of view Reinstall.
This is one of the only games that actually scared me and is one of the best games ever
my favourite res eve game so far
An all time great and the wii version is the best version of it. Credit to the Wii it is.
i played this at my cousins house....we decided to stop after 4 hours cause once a guy with a bag over his head and a chainsaw erupted from a door at 2:00 in the morning and scared the daylights out of us
I'm buying this for the holidays. (Never played it.)
amazing game for the Wii, because of the controls and the graphics too, and I can't believe they didn't use the same formula for more games for the Wii.. not even Capcom but someone else, it's so gold and they just missed out.
I just picked this game up for $15 and let me tell you it was a steal such a great game.
i would recommend this game to everyone. it's WAY BETTER than the ps2 and gamecube versions.
@14.danschmen I agree, and this is one of the best Wii games ever. It's a delight to play(especially for those like me who found the earlier Resi titles awkward to play - this plays like a dream!)
I borrowed it from my cousin,and haven't opened it!!!! I just can't do it!!!!!!!
@TikiTong DO IT!
OK i did,and......I cant get past the village.I personally dont like it,from a shooter point of view,its AMAZING!!!!! but from my point of view,i felt really scared,and i felt a little paranoid.Damn chainsaw man!!!!!!!! But if you like shooters ,BUY IT!!!! Ill play it again when im even older to see if i can pass the village,and BRAVE the game!
@Kaplan Dear zach i really need help in the beginning of the village.I get into the house,block the doors,knock down the ladder,and got the shotgun,just to turn around and see a dozen hostiles behind me in the house.....it was too late,and off went my head.Got any tips??
@TikiTong Glad to hear you're still at it but it's been seven years since I played this game, actually I only have played the GameCube version to be honest. I'm sure if you keep trying you'll figure out what you need to do. Can you jump out the window? I remember a lot of situations where taking a big risk and doing something crazy and scary, like jumping into zombie-filled areas, really paid off. It's part of what makes RE4 so great. Sorry I can't provide any more specific tips than that, but good luck!
Youre right,maybe i was too slow to jump out the window,i will do that...maybe being too scared to take risks is waht made me lose everytime !!!!!
@TikiTong Here's Johnny!!! ...I mean Salvador!
Still stuck? Maybe I can help you getting through this absolutely superb game!
just bought this on black friday for 10 bucks brand new at wal-mart. my first time playing this game.
Here is both a TIP and a FACT.
[You will] Use the motion controls. (Wii Remote and Nunchuck)
It makes aiming easier. Enough said.
Amazing game had it on the ps2! Just picked it up there and have been playing through it again on the Wii U it was only 10 euro as well!
One of the best games ever made. Loved it to bits.
Tap here to load 26 comments
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...