What an absolute experience I just had with this game. This being my first Resident Evil game, and also my first ever horror game in general, I had no idea what expectations to be had for getting into this. I am simply astonished. Who knew that video games can give such a brilliant cinematic yet interactive experience? Who knew that there could be such perfect harmony between narrative, presentation, and gameplay? Resident Evil 4 has completely changed the way I look at video games from now on. I will admit, I am not much of a gamer at all besides my investment in franchises I’m already deeply connected to so what and how I gush about this game might not seem that all that new or impressive to most people.
Firstly, I have to talk about its presentation. It perfectly captures this livable setting in the countryside of Spain and the locations like the village, castle and island are all so distinct from one another yet they blend so well as a cohesive visual identity to Resident Evil 4. Despite how dark the game gets due to its setting being at night at times, there is just clarity in everything I can do, see, and interact with. It is easily distinguishable from what's just background and what I can interact with yet somehow it never looks out of place in keeping my immersion with the game. Though the immersion doesn’t just end at the visuals because what strikes me even more is the chilling sound design. The creeping atmosphere with the haunting sound effects makes every walk through a corridor or road so daunting. What’s even scarier is when I know there’s enemies ahead with the whispers and weapon sounds making the inevitability of combat all the more tense. Everytime I boot up this game I am just drenched in cold sweat with how engaged I am in playing as Leon with how real it makes me feel being in the world.
But I wish I knew more about this world. Being the 4th entry in the franchise, it definitely seems connected with the previous games with characters like Ada Wong and Krausser seeming to mention events from past games. It is okay though, the bottom line of Leon investigating and trying to recover Ashley is an intriguing enough hook with what seems to be some political struggle going on in the background which interests me enough to definitely check out the other games. These characters are fun to follow though, Leon has this cool no-nonsense behavior that of an actual military personnel but can also goof off if the situation allows it. My kinda guy. I was incredibly worried that since the game is essentially one giant escort mission that Ashley was going to be super insufferable but turns out she is alright. Yea she cries out for Leon a lot when she’s captured, but she’s helpful in her own right and can banter well with Leon in the more light-hearted scenes. The villains in this game are so menacing, and the way in taking down each one of them is just so satisfying both narratively and in the gameplay with how much they’re built up only for eventually to be taken down.
And that leads to the gameplay. The glue that sticks all these stellar aspects together. The haunting atmosphere of the presentation really adds to the gameplay since it affects the player with how tense they can get from the sounds and what's on screen, not to mention the superb model layout and background of the presentation helps the gameplay a lot in distinguishing your actions and interactables as previously mentioned. Then there is also the story giving enough context clues of what to do next especially helped with the notes left by various people providing hints on what's up ahead. What really blows my mind though is how well Resident Evil 4 has so many gameplay mechanics I usually despise, yet it works so well here. Tank controls, limited inventory, scarce resources, damage sponge enemies are also stuff I hate in most games but it just works really well for this game as it serves the narrative so well. Tank controls make the game more tense since you can’t just run away quickly. Limited inventory and scarce resources further cranks up the tension of being stranded. It is just amazing to me how so many of Resident Evil 4’s design choices are just meticulously chosen to work well with each other.
Overall, this game is going to the all time favorites list. It completely hooked me and I just couldn’t stop playing it even until the late nights. So glad I’m committing to this halloween theme of binging horror games that I have found a gem so many have praised but only now I am seeing. I will definitely be playing the extra content now especially since I want to see more of the one character I really liked being Ada Wong. 9.5/10, video games are great.
Firstly, I have to talk about its presentation. It perfectly captures this livable setting in the countryside of Spain and the locations like the village, castle and island are all so distinct from one another yet they blend so well as a cohesive visual identity to Resident Evil 4. Despite how dark the game gets due to its setting being at night at times, there is just clarity in everything I can do, see, and interact with. It is easily distinguishable from what's just background and what I can interact with yet somehow it never looks out of place in keeping my immersion with the game. Though the immersion doesn’t just end at the visuals because what strikes me even more is the chilling sound design. The creeping atmosphere with the haunting sound effects makes every walk through a corridor or road so daunting. What’s even scarier is when I know there’s enemies ahead with the whispers and weapon sounds making the inevitability of combat all the more tense. Everytime I boot up this game I am just drenched in cold sweat with how engaged I am in playing as Leon with how real it makes me feel being in the world.
But I wish I knew more about this world. Being the 4th entry in the franchise, it definitely seems connected with the previous games with characters like Ada Wong and Krausser seeming to mention events from past games. It is okay though, the bottom line of Leon investigating and trying to recover Ashley is an intriguing enough hook with what seems to be some political struggle going on in the background which interests me enough to definitely check out the other games. These characters are fun to follow though, Leon has this cool no-nonsense behavior that of an actual military personnel but can also goof off if the situation allows it. My kinda guy. I was incredibly worried that since the game is essentially one giant escort mission that Ashley was going to be super insufferable but turns out she is alright. Yea she cries out for Leon a lot when she’s captured, but she’s helpful in her own right and can banter well with Leon in the more light-hearted scenes. The villains in this game are so menacing, and the way in taking down each one of them is just so satisfying both narratively and in the gameplay with how much they’re built up only for eventually to be taken down.
And that leads to the gameplay. The glue that sticks all these stellar aspects together. The haunting atmosphere of the presentation really adds to the gameplay since it affects the player with how tense they can get from the sounds and what's on screen, not to mention the superb model layout and background of the presentation helps the gameplay a lot in distinguishing your actions and interactables as previously mentioned. Then there is also the story giving enough context clues of what to do next especially helped with the notes left by various people providing hints on what's up ahead. What really blows my mind though is how well Resident Evil 4 has so many gameplay mechanics I usually despise, yet it works so well here. Tank controls, limited inventory, scarce resources, damage sponge enemies are also stuff I hate in most games but it just works really well for this game as it serves the narrative so well. Tank controls make the game more tense since you can’t just run away quickly. Limited inventory and scarce resources further cranks up the tension of being stranded. It is just amazing to me how so many of Resident Evil 4’s design choices are just meticulously chosen to work well with each other.
Overall, this game is going to the all time favorites list. It completely hooked me and I just couldn’t stop playing it even until the late nights. So glad I’m committing to this halloween theme of binging horror games that I have found a gem so many have praised but only now I am seeing. I will definitely be playing the extra content now especially since I want to see more of the one character I really liked being Ada Wong. 9.5/10, video games are great.