Worth the wait...definitely
User Rating: 9.5 | Resident Evil 4 PS2
Writing this review a couple of hours after I finished Resident Evil 4 for the PS2. This is was one of my most anticipated games for this year, and boy, did it deliver one extremely fun ride. All the screenshots and gameplay footage of the GC version provided tantalizing hints of what an awesome game RE 4 was, but when you get down to playing it, you're wowed again by just how amazing this game is. From the graphics (which is undoubtedly some of the best ever seen in a PS 2 game, some slowdown issues notwithstanding) to the voice acting (decidedly cheesy at times, but still pretty good) to the stellar gameplay, it's hard to find one bit of flaw in this gem of a game. Speaking of the gameplay, let me elaborate on that a bit. The over the shoulder view of the game when you aim your gun works extremely well, making you wonder why Capcom didn't try using this for an RE game before this one . Don't get me wrong, Code Veronica was a great game too, but one wonders how much better that would've been if the camera scheme of RE 4 was implemented in that game. The laser pointer that comes equipped with all of Leon's weapon is another plus, helping you do location specific damage on the monsters, and trust me, you need that to survive this game. The monsters in this game are the real stars. Every single one of the monsters in the game are decidedly disturbing or downright disgusting, or both. Even the lowest of the ganados (not human, but not quite zombie either, things) show a decent level of intelligence; they'll flank Leon, use weapons, duck or attempt to dodge your bullets unlike the zombies of old, reminding you once again that this isn't your Dad's Resident Evil. Every single boss fight in this game are grand multi tiered affairs, and the bosses are really creatively designed. RE 4 has the best boss design and boss battles since another classic that was released earlier this year, God of War. Plus once you're done with the game, the PS 2 specific bonuses, lke the side missions as Ada gives the game ample reply value also.
If one can find one fault with the game, it's that the story is not as fleshed out as it could be and the ending falls kinda flat after all the epic battles and such. But RE 4 is not about the story and it doesn't try to be either. This game is an action adventure with a HUGE emphasis on the action, and in the respect, it delivers. In spades. If you're an action game fan, do yourself a favor and check this game out...even if you're not an RE fan. Games like this one and the upcoming Dragon Quest 8 and FF XII confirms that the swansong for the aging PS 2 is going to be grand indeed... 
