Ever since Adventure for the Atari 2600, game developers have been trying to recreate that same experience, only with the player in control. We've come a loooong way since Adventure. Now we've got 3D, surround sound and more blood than the set of the next Nightmare on Elmstreet movie. Best in show goes to the Resident Evil series of horror survival games, beginning with the original Playstation title that may as well have launched the genre. Several sequels have followed, mostly to warm receptions. Consider that all changed with the release of Resident Evil 4 for, of all systems, the GameCube, known more for its family friendly party games and platformers, than bloody mature rated zombie-fests.
You play Leon, a special forces operative, originally assigned on your first day in Raccoon City, the ill-fated city to which the T-virus was released, turning its citizens into blood thirsty zombies. Since the fiasco back home, you've been reassigned to retrieve the president's daughter who's recently been kidnapped by some mysterious cult south of the border. You and a few locals hired to lead you into the village suspected of harboring the girl, ride in only to discover that the villagers aren't quite human and aren't quite zombie. They communicate with each other, brandish weapons and (gasp) run at you. It doesn't take long to discover theres some seriously weird shtick going on and this village is clearly more than it seems.
Much maligned since the Resident Evil franchise began was the clunky controls and odd camera issues. Despite the quality of the games, players struggled with running toward and away from the camera in predominantly static environments. No longer. RE4 puts the camera over the shoulder of Leon and travels with him, not despite of him, throughout each level, more like Grand Theft Auto. This makes gameplay less about frustration and more about exploration. Controls are responsive though turning around can be a bit slow. The game offers a quick 180 degree flip, but it can be overkill in many situations. A laser targeting site has been added to each gun to make aiming a precise endeavor since enemy damage will be based on locale (hint: shoot for the head).
As with previous RE games, the creatures that do their shuffling, leaping and skittering towards you are ones out of the nightmares of Wes Craven or Tim Burton. Twisted figures with exposed inner organs and more blood than a Los Angeles street gang convention. Most in some way resemble human forms, due to being mutated by a virus of sorts.
Along with the primary story are mini-games that help hone your firing skills. Though not a requirement for advancing, the shooting gallery games open collectible items for your inventory that really do nothing more than look and sound pretty. They can't be sold or combined with other items to help you advance.
In the end, Resident Evil 4 is vastly superior to its predecessors in control, sound and makes excellent use of the GameCube video engine to ensnare players to the final zombie decapitation. Though not for the faint of heart, RE:4 goes out fully recommended by our staff.
