'Resident Evil 4' delivers
Gamers are being spoiled by a six-month stretch of some of the highest-quality entertainment the industry has ever produced.
"Resident Evil 4" would have been last year's best console game had it been released a month ago. As it stands, others will be hard-pressed to beat it in 2005.
Veteran publisher Capcom could've taken the quick-hit, license-damaging route and profited again from its niche in survival horror video games.
Its "Resident Evil" series, born on Sony's first PlayStation, has scared legions of fans with great graphics, haunting sounds and surreal plots.
The series has also spawned legions of detractors for its clunky controls, pitiful voice acting and a rash of subpar sequels.
But none of that matters, because the series' newest installment about the misadventures of law enforcement, bioengineering and an unsuspecting public is pristine.
This game accomplishes two things I thought it couldn't: "Resident Evil 4" helps Nintendo shed its kids-first image. And with its emphasis on spine-tingling action, intense and beautiful — but finally functional — graphics and top-tier voice work, "Resident Evil" has graduated into action gaming.
With apologies to Milla Jovovich's awful game-based movies, this game has the storytelling synergy that studio heads in movies and games imagined.
Its gameplay, framed like a widescreen DVD movie, follows the over-the-shoulder camera angle of scary movies. Imagine playing an M. Night Shyamalan flick with Quentin Tarantino gore.
The story takes players to a make-believe, Spanish-speaking, European country in chaos.
The U.S. president's daughter is being held captive there — or is she? — by a band of assumed terrorists, and your job is to get her back.
One catch: Something's not quite right with the people who kidnapped her.
Before you say, "Let me guess, zombies?" you should know that this game is freakier because most of your opponents are human, agitated to an unnatural state.
Unlike in "Resident Evil(s)" past, this game expands beyond the horror movie cliches of its predecessors and actually weaves a great, albeit far-fetched, story.
From the word go, you'll be fighting for your life. You will feel the sense of dread, of isolation, of instinct to survive. Boss fights feel as futile as they should. Adrenalin flows when you survive a level.
Like other "Resident Evil" games, this one is graphic and gory to the point that parents of teens should ensure their kids take a pass. This is disturbing, R-rated gaming.
But for young adults and those folks mature enough to handle its violence, gore and terrifying effects — I couldn't play alone in the dark — it is breathtaking.
"Resident Evil 4" might be released on other systems toward year's end, but if you love horror flicks, or have been pining for a GameCube, get it now.
Grade: A+ (GameCube only), $49.99
Reach Aaron Sanderford at 473-7225 or asanderford@journalstar.com.
"Resident Evil 4" would have been last year's best console game had it been released a month ago. As it stands, others will be hard-pressed to beat it in 2005.
Veteran publisher Capcom could've taken the quick-hit, license-damaging route and profited again from its niche in survival horror video games.
Its "Resident Evil" series, born on Sony's first PlayStation, has scared legions of fans with great graphics, haunting sounds and surreal plots.
The series has also spawned legions of detractors for its clunky controls, pitiful voice acting and a rash of subpar sequels.
But none of that matters, because the series' newest installment about the misadventures of law enforcement, bioengineering and an unsuspecting public is pristine.
This game accomplishes two things I thought it couldn't: "Resident Evil 4" helps Nintendo shed its kids-first image. And with its emphasis on spine-tingling action, intense and beautiful — but finally functional — graphics and top-tier voice work, "Resident Evil" has graduated into action gaming.
With apologies to Milla Jovovich's awful game-based movies, this game has the storytelling synergy that studio heads in movies and games imagined.
Its gameplay, framed like a widescreen DVD movie, follows the over-the-shoulder camera angle of scary movies. Imagine playing an M. Night Shyamalan flick with Quentin Tarantino gore.
The story takes players to a make-believe, Spanish-speaking, European country in chaos.
The U.S. president's daughter is being held captive there — or is she? — by a band of assumed terrorists, and your job is to get her back.
One catch: Something's not quite right with the people who kidnapped her.
Before you say, "Let me guess, zombies?" you should know that this game is freakier because most of your opponents are human, agitated to an unnatural state.
Unlike in "Resident Evil(s)" past, this game expands beyond the horror movie cliches of its predecessors and actually weaves a great, albeit far-fetched, story.
From the word go, you'll be fighting for your life. You will feel the sense of dread, of isolation, of instinct to survive. Boss fights feel as futile as they should. Adrenalin flows when you survive a level.
Like other "Resident Evil" games, this one is graphic and gory to the point that parents of teens should ensure their kids take a pass. This is disturbing, R-rated gaming.
But for young adults and those folks mature enough to handle its violence, gore and terrifying effects — I couldn't play alone in the dark — it is breathtaking.
"Resident Evil 4" might be released on other systems toward year's end, but if you love horror flicks, or have been pining for a GameCube, get it now.
Grade: A+ (GameCube only), $49.99
Reach Aaron Sanderford at 473-7225 or asanderford@journalstar.com.
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