Wow !! What a roller coaster ride this game is !!
I just completed it and can say that its a thrill a minute - it grabs you at the start and just doesn't let up until the final credits roll.
With RE4 Capcom has raised the bar on a gaming genre they pretty much invented in the first place 'Survival Horror' !! Its not business as usual though - as there has been a major RE over-haul in the Capcom think-tank.
This very 'new' style is incredible in so many ways - from blistering game-play to gorgeous graphical beauty to almost total control RE-design everything just works superbly.
Its really shows off what the little Game Cube can do - hinted at in RE Zero.
Its also truly EPIC in every sense - as the levels are huge and beautifully designed. Just when I thought I was coming to the end of the game I realised I had to change discs (its a 2 disc game) and was only about half way through !!
The levels are also many and varied - with environments that range from the forests (where you begin the game) to castles and the more familiar RE territory of labs and creepy houses.
There are sewers too of course. As always !! ;O)
Game-play has changed considerably from previous RE games. The slow paced terror of old has been replaced with super fast paced non-stop action.
In fact sometimes this game goes at such a pace it takes your breath away - and leaves you with your heart pounding through your chest !!
Many times I had to take a break and go for a chill out session - but then i'm getting on a bit !! lol
RE4 is also MUCH longer than any other RE game in history. I must have clocked up at least 35hrs - although the game doesnt stop the internal clock when you die - so be warned - as this messed up my over-all time in the middle of the game !!
Even though i like to take my time and explore all areas in a game this one is so huge even I missed a few on the first play-through - but I will track them down next time I play it.
Graphically this is a stunning creation. Everything looks so real and attention to detail is second to none - well - apart from Splinter Cell on Xbox (which is the best i've ever seen on any console).
Load times are fast too - unlike the pitifully slow RE Outbreak on PS2.
The changes to control (that everyone else has mentioned) are very well implemented - like proper full 3D environments and no more' fixed' camera angles - although i would still prefer full 360 degree control of the camera. The new lazer sighted weapons are very cool Now you can target specific areas of the body of your enemies. This means you can hit them in the leg to knock them down or shoot axes as they fly toward your head in mid air. Very cool !!
Audio deserves a special mention too - as its superb.
Both Sound FX and Music (presented in Dolby PL2) put you on edge from the very beginning.
If the music starts during the game then basically start worrying !!
There's even some in-joking about old RE voice-over scripts mentioned in the game.
This ia a very nice touch - proving Capcom can laugh at themselves !!
:O)
Some things i'm not so happy with have to be mentioned also;
As amazing as the gameplay is - its just not as scary as the first games in the series. RE 'Remake' and 'Zero' are scarier than this version too - and Fatal Frame 2 out-shines it in the 'crapping your pants' department !
Having said that RE4 still puts most games to shame in this department - and is a very tense affair.
The classic RE 'impending feel of dread' is mostly still there too;
Whats around the corner ???
Whats that noise !!??
Gulp !!
Out with the shot-gun...hit reload...
I think this slight 'dilution' of terror is mainly because of this new fast 'combat' style game play. Its not a huge dilution - but it is noticeable. Maybe its just that RE4 is MUCH more 'action' based than the slow burning 'terror' of old RE games. You will (usually) have plenty of ammo and weapons available too - and this probably takes away some of the huge fear factor of the old games.
There are alot of 'Boss' battles too. I've never been a fan of these type fights really. They always remind me that I'm playing a video game. Splinter Cell doesnt bother with them on the whole as its a game that goes for total believability - and I prefer the 'reality' that this creates.
Boss fights are also a device that can be used by the programmers to slow you down and make the game last longer, whilst also trying your patience. Which they often do !!
At least those included here are well designed... which brings me on nicely to...
...difficulty...this game is HARD.
Although RE4 definitely has elements of the FPS style about it dont get too cozy - cos' if you are expecting a nice easy 'shoot-em-up' then forget it !!
RE4 starts hard and gets MUCH harder as you progress. Just when you think you have out-done yourself by completing a major hardcore battle - against clever enemies with strategies to out-flank you - another one pops up a few minutes later !! Phew !!
Try doing this for 30+ hrs and you will need some counselling !
Infact having played this game for sessions of several hours at a time (sad I know) I have often come away mentally worn out. It just demands so much from the player.
Proves that this game is a very good one though!!
Once you pop (a few heads) you just cant stop !! :O)
Of special note are the new style 'Interactive' FMV's (which look excellent).
But you can sit back and relax while the FMV is playing and the story unfolds - just like old style RE right ?
Wrong !!
You need to stay 'frosty' at all times with RE4 - including FMV's!! You have been warned !!
There are plenty of 'save points' this time though - and even some 'continue' points too - new for RE.
You still save your game on 'type writers' scattered throughout the game though - but thankfully you dont have to find ink ribbons any more.
This all proves of course that the difficulty level is set high - even when playing on 'normal'.
The 'Merchants' - whom you buy weapons from with the coins and treasure you find throughout the game - is a device that works very well - but why cant you buy ammo from them aswel??
This over-sight makes no sense at all. I mean what kind of weapon dealer wouldn't sell ammo?
At least the old style save 'chests' have bitten the dust. Now you just have an attache case on screen - that is upgradable itself to a larger one (to store more items in) later in the game.
This proves essential later in the game.
Weapons are numerous and up-gradable too (by the Merchant) - although the Shot Gun remains the weapon of choice for most situations - closely followed by the Magnum and Rifle (with excellent 'scope' attachments).
After you have completed the game its not all over as 2 new gameplay options appear - giving excellent replay value. There are also harder (!!) difficulty levels to unlock, plus new outfits and weapons etc...
All in all though this is a STUNNING return to form - especially after the disappointing RE Outbreak (that wasn't even online in Europe - making it pointless).
Capcom have drawn another line in the sand for other makers of similar games to challenge again. Just as they did with the first RE back in 1996.
Hopefull these pretenders will all rise to this (considerable) challenge a.s.a.p
(are u listening Konami and Tecmo).
As it stands RE4 has REmade and REdefined the genre - I just hope the next one (the ending is deliberately open-ended) has even more of the sheer terror and fear factor from the old games !!
Not that this masterpiece wont make you jump - or keep you on the edge of your sofa all night that is. It can push your blood pressure up like few games I know !!
As with all the RE games though - play it alone in the dark late at night for the full affect - you know you want too !!
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