Resident Wiivil 4 [review]
(I'll try to do my best on this one y'all.
)
Let me start off by saying that I'm somewhat biased in this review because
I think Resident Evil 4 on the Gamecube is one of the best games in the last decade. I'll reiterate something I've said about a million times on a million message boards...I beat RE4 on the Cube roughly 11 times; 7 times on Normal and 4 times on Professional.
I love the game. I did everything there was to do in the Gamecube version; I unlocked everything...weapons, Mercs characters, had three save slots with around 5 million pesetas each (good enough to start the game with whatever weapon(s) you wanted). So - don't expect my Resident Wiivil 4 review to be anything but positive, unless Capcom screwed it up.
Of course, they didn't.
The main point behind RE4 on the Wii is obviously the control, firstly, and a distant second would be the inclusion of the exclusives that were added to the Ps2 RE4. After selling my Gamecube, I almost bought RE4 on the Ps2 several times, but could never grasp the idea of using the Dual Shock for the game; the Cube controller was just perfect for the game and I couldn't have it any other way. I wanted those exclusives, but not at a sacrifice of Dual Shock controls and weaker graphics. Now, at a quick glance, both RE4's look similar, similar enough to trick you into thinking they're equal. Wrong. Purists will tell you that the Ps2 RE4 had lower quality textures and a lower polygon count, so odds and ends were different. Nothing that's a deal breaker, but...certainly not the optimal way to play if you have a choice.
Luckily the Wii gets the Ps2 extras version of RE4, with the Gamecube graphics; the best of both worlds. Ada's -5- level Separate Ways chapters, which shows her activities that parallel Leon's in the main game and story, as well as true widescreen support (no letterboxing like on the Cube one), the 3rd set of costumes (Ashley's being the one I look forward to the most), and...the PRL? I haven't heard whether or not the PRL is in the Wii one. (Even though from what I've heard it's not that good...I'd still like to be able to play with it.) Also don't know if Ada's 'Reports' are in there as well but I assume they are.
In a little more detail: the Wii controls are roughly as follows. Now if you are in a dire situation, like being surrounded by ganados, you can just wildly swing the Wiimote and you will do a 'quick stab' that will swing the knife at the closest enemy. For actually targeting enemies or items, you can hold C down on the nunchuck and then swing the Wiimote, which will yield more damage from the knife stab. (Alternately, you can also hold C and hit A on the Wiimote to stab, as opposed to physically swinging the Wiimote. I prefer swinging it, because it gives you a little more feeling like you're in the game.) Holding B on the Wiimote brings your weapon at a 'ready' stance, where you then just aim and hit A to fire. Reloading is easy as well...hold B, shake the Wiimote - easy as pie. Cutscenes and other scripted events now have Wiimote shaking rather than button tapping like in the previous versions of the game; I find the Wiimote shaking to be easier, albeit a little more tiring.
In a nutshell - aiming is 100% easier. Granted, I never had aiming problems before on the Cube one, but...this is
really a piece of cake now. Point and shoot, can't get much better and simpler than that. Add in the Ps2 exclusives + 'better than the Ps2' Gamecube graphics, and a $29 USD price tag - and this game is a
must buy. If you've played the game before and hated it, then...you should still give it a second shot. A fair amount of people hated RE0-RE:CV's "tank" like controls, which were changed in RE4. Those changes are re-innovated again with the Wiimote aiming. If you're a fan of this game, you will be in hog heaven with the Wii version.
There are some slight differences though. Very slight. Seems like the Wii one gives out more pesetas, is a little more stingy on ammo, and overall because of the easier aiming - is a little easier of a game in that regard. But, it's never been better and easier to aim for the knees, knock down, and knife the bejesus out of your enemies. I highly *highly* recommend this game. I can say without question that I will easily beat this game another 11x, and probably at least another 11 after that...I love RE4. Did they add anything Wii exclusive? Other than the control scheme - no. But that's ok with me. At $29, you can't go wrong, and you can't really nitpick or harp too much on a lack of 'new' exclusives. The game itself is already very solid. Maybe I'm too biased, but...
10/10 for me. The game as it is - is perfect.
It took me about 20-30 minutes to get used to the controls. I'll be honest - at first, I was thinking "meh" and didn't know if I'd like it. After that initial break-in period though...it's like second nature now; absolutely sweet.
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On another RE4 related note:
I hate to say that I want Capcom to go back to the well again and re-milk their already re-milked IP, but...I would give a kidney for a 360 RE4, even if all they did was upgrade the graphics and add the achievements. They wouldn't have to add any new features (although it would be nice)...but RE4 on the 360 with 360 graphics would make me one happier-than-I-already-am happy gamer.
