E3 2004: Resident Evil 4 Hands-On

A frighteningly popular franchise is reinvented for Gamecube - and it's creepier than ever.

Update: Video coverage added.

To say Resident Evil 4 for the Gamecube is one of the most anticipated games coming this winter might not be a fair statement. It probably depends on who you ask. Resident Evil's style of gameplay hasn't exactly appealed to everyone.

The Resident Evil series has also started to feel its age. Indeed, staleness began to set into the franchise after new entries started to feel like the same game with minor scenery changes. But Resident Evil 4 is different. Raccoon City and the Umbrella Corp. are out of this game. Next, kiss the fixed camera angles in small locations goodbye.

One of the biggest changes to occur in this latest entry is a moving camera that follows the player from behind. This game feels fresh. RE4 begins six years after the destruction of Raccoon City. During this time period the United States Government has completely destroyed the Umbrella Corp., they will not be resurfacing in RE4.

Our hero in this game is on assignment from the President of the United States to rescue his daughter. The game begins in a small village in a nameless European country. Before you know it, villagers are trying to kill you with axes and pitchforks. To say that Shinji Mikami has redesigned the series might be an understatement.

I can already hear clamoring from die hard RE gamers, "But it's not Resident Evil!" Well they're right in a way. The hero in Resident Evil 4 is none other than Officer Leon S Kennedy from RE2. The good old Resident Evil atmosphere is also still around, as is the myriad of items to collect and use. As I walked through the village and ominous looking forest, I was uneasy. I also genuinely jumped once while playing this short demo (and this takes place in the daytime!) There is also still a sense of mystery. After playing for awhile it did feel like Resident Evil, if only in spirit.

The environment in RE4 is unbelievably realistic. The graphics are so good, that I had to actually check to make sure that I was playing on the Gamecube. The textures, lighting, shading, animation, sound design, and particle system (a realistic light fog in the forest added so much to the game's creepy atmosphere) are all equally superb. This was definitely the best looking game at the Capcom booth, and possibly in the running for the best looking game at the convention.

The play control is smooth and easy. One minor problem is that aiming your handgun is a little difficult, but once you get used to it, it will become second nature. The AI in this game is vastly improved from previous RE games. There were a couple of times when villagers successfully teamed up on me.

Hearing villagers scream at me from out in the distance made me say "shit!" aloud. A trailer that was playing all day at the booth showed me what else to expect from RE4: plenty of new characters, creepy enemies, and ominous environments including a dark castle. The opening sequence alone will make you want to go out and purchase the game. Now let's just hope Capcom sticks to a winter release date.

Mike Knowlan
Staff Writer, Kikizo.com