It first went into development, during the same year that every single Resident Evil game to date, was due to be re-made and released on Gamecube. During those first years, we were treated with Resident Evil 0, a remake of Resident Evil 1, and to much dissapointment to many; three ports of the remaining games in the franchise (Resident Evil 2, 3: Nemesis, and Code Veronica: X). Resident Evil 4, even in early stages, looked promising; after many critics stating boredom due to the lack of innovation since the first game (i.e. the same core mechanics; gameplay and graphical style used from original 1998 release of Resident Evil, up to it's remake) Capcom took its announced fourth addition into a completely unique league of its own. The graphics had been changed from a pre-rendered, painted background, to 3-D environments that still showed the same level of detail and showed off many impressive shadow and lighting affects, and brilliantly realistic human models, that was announced to be Leon soon after the screenshot and trailer releases. The gameplay was different, the syle and approach was different. Then, the gaming world was left, for a year or two; waiting. It was after this period that Resident Evil returned to our attention, and again had taken a revolutionary step for the series! Gamers were amazed to this new addition; amazed to see that there were no zombies, no half-rotten dogs bursting through windows, Lickers, or giant mutated beasts. Amazed to see that what they would be facing, would be something more menacing than ever; The Villagers. In March 2005; Resident Evil 4, reached American and British shores. What is first noticalbe, as is with all Resident Evil games, is the visual presentation. No longer does it rely on FMV cutscenes to introduce you to the game, but only uses it's own graphics engine to do the job; and a job well done indeed. The realistic models and textures are amazing and the effort put into the visuals; pays off, creating quite possibly the best looking game ever. Through the first two cutscenes, we are given a re-cap of the events that transpired with the Umbrella virus outbreak in Racoon city, then we learn that what is about to happen has barely any connection to those events (or does it? - we are asked). Six years have passed and Leon is sent into a secluded European location to search for the missing President's daughter. 'The Nightmare begins', again! the game opens and we are dropped down in a first person-like perspective, overlooking Leon's right shoulder; the controls are basically traditional Resident Evil controls; spiced up and improved greatly to the extent, you don't even realise. Furthermore you can really feel through the gameplay, how much attention has gone into it; it really feels polished! Without going into too much detail as to bore you silly with wise-cracks and over the top exagerations (even though, with this game, that is impossible!), I will snap to it; the sound is terrific, the shouting villagers, the voice acting and sound effects, all immerse the player into the world (whether they like it or not) and can truly have your heart pumping with excitement, or terror. The music is well suited to the gameplay, and everything seems to fit and connect in perfect harmony; the graphics, gameplay and sound. The main game itself may not have as many hours in it as other titles, but replay value and hidden extras will draw you back, and the hours you gain first time through, really depend on how you play; running through Villager infested areas, instead of fighting, can take away a lot of the time, value and ultimately - fun! Barricading yourself from crazed country-folk, in houses and farms, has proved to be a big step and improvement from blasting zombie brains. It maintains the satisfaction from the kill as it always did with the other titles, but to a greater extent; the ability to cripple your enemies and watch them fall to the ground, makes you proud to own this game, then slicing your knife through their moaning mouths and watching them die a rather painful death (to which they deserve) is very rewarding. Resident Evil 4, likes to keep you on your toes and later, usually gives you the bare minimum for survival. The game has variety and will offer a challenge to hard-core gamers, and is even suitable for those with a weak disposition with the genre (action/survival). To go into too much depth, would only reveal spoilers and the unique fashion of this game, would possibly lose some of this affect, upon you; one suggestions - Get this game!
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