Resident Evil 4 - Review

"Where's everyone going? Bingo?" – A review of Resident Evil 4. 

Resident Evil 4 was released on 11 January 2005, developed and published by Capcom. Directed by Shinji Mikami, Resident Evil 4 was a real shift from the series' traditional mechanics, and my god do I love it.

Set six years after the events of Resident Evil 2, players take control of Leon Kennedy, a government agent tasked with rescuing the President's kidnapped daughter, Ashley Graham, from a mysterious cult in rural Spain. The story is full of suspense and action, introducing memorable villains like Saddler and the chainsaw-wielding Ganado, while weaving in plot twists that keep you engaged and entertained.

I love exploring in Resident Evil 4, and there's no shortage of places to discover. Set in Valdelbos, which is described as having been culturally isolated from the rest of Spain, the home of the sinister cult has three great areas – The Village, which is rural, isolated, and full of hostile cultists, The Castle, ancient, full of traps and also full of cultists, and lastly The Island, a high tech military base which is used for awful cult experiments. Constant rain and night scenes bring elements of rural gothic horror, adding so much to a great atmosphere.

I love the voice acting in this game. Leon is charismatic and camp, whist Ashleigh makes me laugh every single time I hear her cry "LEEEOOOOOON HELP!". Every. Single. Time. The voice acting is slightly (and sometimes not so slightly) melodramatic, but always good and always fun to hear.

The soundtrack is atmospheric, which really enhances the eerier moments. Composed by Misao Senbongi and Shusaku Uchiyama, the music shifts from haunting melodies during exploration to tense scores in moments of danger, heightening the sense of urgency throughout the game.

Resident Evil 4 revolutionised the series with its over-the-shoulder perspective, tight controls, and dynamic combat. As with the previous games, you face hordes of enemies, solve puzzles, and manage limited resources, which add layers of strategy and suspense. The pacing and variety of challenges maintains excitement, making every encounter feel important.

I truly love this game. It blends a very funny, slightly camp feel with that of horror, it's full of action and has some brilliant storytelling. I love the atmosphere throughout, and the gameplay is genuinely innovative for the series. If you've never played Resident Evil before, this is honestly a great one to start with.

Written by Tam Page

Posted by Mr. Tomney

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