Resident Evil 4
Score: 95% ESRB: Mature Publisher: Capcom Developer: Capcom Media: DVD/1 Players: 1 Genre: Action/ Survival Horror
Graphics & Sound: For a game that was originally supposed to be exclusive to the GameCube, Resident Evil 4 has certainly made the rounds. After stops on the PS2 and PC, Resident Evil 4 comes to the Wii in high fashion; the classic gameplay is still around along with Wii-mote functionality that makes the game more exciting - even if it is your second, third or fourth time. Resident Evil 4 - Wii Edition brings very little to the system as far as visuals go. The game's look still holds up remarkably well, though nothing is really improved other than progressive scan and widescreen support. Still, the game looks great. Environments present a creepy atmosphere that, when combined with audio cues, really sell the entire experience. A number of little details also show up, like flickering flames or crows flying around the area. Characters are as detailed as they come and have subtle personality traits. Leon has the gait of a trained solider and zombies have a slow-paced, lumbering walk. Another noteworthy feature is that all of the story sequences in the Wii version are done in-game, so there isn't that weird visual transition between game and story sequences. Sound plays just as big a part, maybe even a bigger one, than visuals when it comes to generating RE 4's atmosphere. The soundtrack is limited to a few low-key melodies while the rest is filled in with gunfire and the moaning chants of villagers. One cool thing the Wii version does is play some sounds, like reloading and swinging the knife, in the Wii-mote's internal speaker. It's a small feature, but it adds so much to the experience that you'll be thankful for the added effort.
Gameplay: Resident Evil 4 - Wii Edition is the same game that hit the PS2. If you already played that version, the only new thing is the Wii-specific controls. Playing as Leon Kennedy, you are sent on a mission to rescue the president's daughter. Your mission takes you to a creepy Spanish village which on the outset looks like an odd mix of Deliverance and Amish Country. Once in the village, you find out all kinds of creepy things are going down. Though the narrative sounds like just the latest clichéd horror stomp, RE 4 manages to combine the cliché with genuinely interesting situations, characters and an overall creepy feel. The Wii-mote only ups the creep factor since you feel like you are taking a more active role in everything. For GameCube-centric gamers who recently took the jump to Nintendo's latest console, the Wii version includes the PS2 side story titled Separate Ways. Here you control Ada Wong and experience some of the game's events from her perspective. Though RE 4 takes the series in a more action-filled direction, it still hangs on to all of the hallmarks that have helped to make the series so popular. Action takes place from an over-the-shoulder view that has become popular in recent action games. You can freely move around until drawing your weapon; then the camera pulls in for a closer view. Once your weapon is drawn you can't move, only aim and shoot. You can't sidestep either, which is where a big part of the game's intense feel stems from.
Difficulty: If you are coming into the Wii version from the GameCube one, be warned that ammo isn't as plentiful. You'll always have just enough to get by, though you have to be somewhat mindful about where your shots are going. The new aiming functionality helps to balance this out since you have a little more control, which does shave off some of the difficulty. Still, be prepared for a fight. Pacing is spot on and knows just when to ratchet things up and then to give you a breather. You'll get to that point where you complain about how many zombie-like cultists are in the area, yet never get to the point where you complain that there are too many. Bosses also come at just the right spots.
Game Mechanics: Movement is handled with the Nunchuk's analog stick. Pressing (B) on the Wii-mote puts you in aiming mode. When aiming you can freely aim at anything on the screen, but if you want to turn your view to another area or above you need to use the analog stick. By the time you make it through the first big village attack you should already be well acquainted with how the system works, so it shouldn't be much of a problem. Headshots are easier to pull off; though they aren't something you can consistently do. You have a sizeable arsenal, though ammo is scarce, so you have to make every shot mean something. You always have your combat knife to fall back on, but that requires going in close. Using your knife is easier since all you have to do is make a slashing motion with the Wii-mote to use it. The knife also uses a new auto-aim function that causes the knife to strike the closest target, so you won't find yourself slicing dead air. If there are any disappointing aspects of Resident Evil 4 - Wii Edition it is the lack of Wii-specific content beyond the new control scheme. At the same time, the motion-based controls add just enough to the game that it feels completely different and is worth a play - even if you already have.
-Starscream, GameVortex Communications AKA Ricky Tucker
Raw Danger Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix