Resident Evil 4 Wii Edition

THE GOOD:
- New Wii controls add a new layer of engagement and depth to an already deep, immersive game.
- Content previously exclusive to the PS2 version and the superior graphics from the Gamecube version.
- Amazing atmosphere and intensity.
- Superb style.
- Top-notch presentation.
- Good length.
- Decent challenge provided.
- Good voice actors and enjoyable characters.
- Excellent frame rate.
- Budget price

THE BAD:
- Outdated visuals

SUMMARY:
When this game was in development, I had my fair share of concerns. I was expecting a full-priced $50 game, directly ported from either the PS2 or GC version with tacked-on waggle for the knife attacks and no option of aiming to the pointer. It might sound like an exaggeration, but it actually has happened before. Shameless companies like Ubisoft have ported ridiculous amounts of terrible ports made more frustrating and somehow uglier, even if they ran on inferior hardware (such as Far Cry). I am happy to say that Resident Evil 4 is nothing of the sort.

First, this game is not a direct port of any game. It's a mixture of the best of Resident Evil 4 and then some. It has the great visuals of the Gamecube version, which still look great even if they are outdated. It also has the extra content that was added in the PS2 port, but all reworked using the Gamecube engine and in more impressive Gamecube graphics. It also features a rock-solid frame rate, which no previous version had. It also has two brand new features, a trailer for Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles and the most important addition, the new Wii controls.

About the Game

Resident Evil 4 is a departure from the Resident Evil formula. Older Resident Evil games were plagued by clunky controls, slow-paced gameplay and had little action. They focused mostly on the horror aspect, although the controls turned off many gamers. Resident Evil 4 does not focus as much on the horror, and focuses much more on the action. It has an over-the-shoulder view as opposed to the fixed camera angles of the older titles. The environments are no longer primarily composed of cramped corridors and claustrophobic rooms. Now you are in much larger, wide open environments and towns. The new camera angle greatly enhances the enjoyment of the areas, as well. It also helps improve the aiming mechanics, as well.

The Gameplay

The game itself is an incredible game. It isn't extremely long, but the main story is long enough to satisfy any gamer. It also features storylines where you play as different characters, such as the Mercenaries mode and Seperate Ways, where you play as Ada Wong. The gameplay is action-packed and intense, and you feel frightened often, not by cheap thrills but by the feeling of helplessness as you watch the groups of controlled villagers slowly walk towards you and your ammo quickly running dry. There are also traps, dark areas and enemies lurking just around the corner.

The Visuals

The game looks great. Graphically, the game may slightly outdated. It is true that it looks just as good as the Gamecube version, even though the Wii is capable of much more. However, that said, the Gamecube version was one of the best looking games of the last generation. It really pushed the Gamecube hardware to it's fullest with an abundance of great effects, a number of enemies and quite a bit of interactivity. The art style looked great, as well. Impressive style never becomes outdated, even when the hardware it is running on is. It is probably the best looking Wii game to date, which says quite a bit about effort as the Wii is over twice as powerful as the Gamecube. Updated graphics would be nice, although they did recreate all of the PS2 missions in GC graphics which is a nice addition.

The Sound

Audio-wise, the game has clear, crisp sound and top-notch sound effects. The soundtrack may be the weakest out of the main series, and you won't find yourself humming any of the tunes from the game. However, the soundtrack is still great and it does add a lot to the game. At times it will completely disappear, and you hear nothing but your own footsteps (which adds to the isolated feel you have for much of the game), and at other times the music becomes fast paced. The sound effects are, again, top-notch. The sudden, shocking sounds that play when you first find a corpse impaled into the wall, the sound when you find a snake in a box, they all sound great. The soundtrack is impressive, but it's the effects where the audio truly shines.

The Controls

If you are worried about the Wii controls, don't be. The controls are great. It feels satisfying to slash at your enemy with a knife, it adds a feeling of intensity as you all of a sudden have to slash with the Wii remote. It does feel a little clunky at first, but you will quickly become accustomed to it and the rumble and sound from the speaker will only make it feel more satisfying. The ability to point and shoot is a very welcome addition to the game. Stopping and aiming with the analog stick is much more difficult and not nearly as fun as using the Wii remote to point. One complaint is that you still cannot walk when you aim, just as in the previous versions, but Resident Evil 4 is not about running and gunning. When you aim, you focus on the aiming. That feeling, that restriction, adds to the feeling of urgency and requires much more strategic approach than that of the average shooter.

If you have never played Resident Evil 4, and you enjoy this type of game, go buy this game now. It is truly a superb game, and at $30 it is practically a steal. Capcom has done a superb job on the original game, made it better and released it at budget price. There is no reason not to buy it if you enjoy action games and want a good mature title for the Wii. However, if you have the Gamecube version, you are getting a better game with better controls and more to do. If you have the PS2 version, you are getting better controls and better graphics. It is the best version of Resident Evil 4 out there, and that is saying a lot. I can recommend this game to anyone who wants a mature, challenging, action-packed Wii game.

Final Score

The only reason I gave this game a 9.5 is because it isn't built from the ground up for the Wii. The Wii is capable of better graphics and much more in terms of Wii remote usage. The game uses it well for a port, but it doesn't push the system in any way. It is still the best game out on the Wii right now, right next to Twilight Princess. A similar game with better graphics, controls built around the Wii remote and nunchuk and longer length that isn't limited to just the Gamecube disks could easily reach a 9.8, if it held the same quality in gameplay.