So due to it leaving Xbox Gamepass soon, I burned through my first full playthrough of RE4 ever. Figured it was finally the time.
Right away - first thing you notice is the camera. It's not great by 2020 standards. This is the one constant downside throughout the game, but for 2005 it was revolutionary. It just doesn't hold up. This is about the only thing to fix really if they make an RE4 remake. That and then just make the game perform and look better obviously.
Other than that? Not a single complaint. The story is classic RE campy, you don't play RE for the story you just enjoy the one liners and cheesiness for what it is. It's fun. The game design on display here is impeccable. There is never a dull moment, it is absolutely perfectly paced. I've never played a game this well paced. The closest would probably be The Last of Us but even it has a dull moment or 2. Not once while playing RE4 did I think "man it's really dragging right now" or "I wish I could get to the next part" (except for in a horror way - that damn invisible bugs section was my nightmare fuel).
The inventory management is perfect as always, you come to expect this from RE. It's enough to make you think about it but not so much to where you're just annoyed (looking at you, games with easy to reach over encumbrance). I was always low enough on ammo to be thinking about it but high enough to not be completely screwed at any point. There was a time I had to go all out with the TMP and taking out enemy's legs because I lacked everything else, but that was the extent of it.
Ashley could be annoying I guess, though I never felt at the expense of the fun. Just those "LEOOOOOOOOOOON" screeches could be a little irritating, but in the end I was happy to hear it cause I was glad to finally escape with her.
The action to horror ratio in this is definitely further tilted towards action - and this is where many attribute RE turning into an action series rather than a horror one, understandably so. But I prefer it how it is in this game. And I certainly didn't lack for scares, it was no RE2 but when you hate insects and see invisible creepy bugs or you get jump scared by an enemy falling on you, there are some scares to be had. I was straight up freaked out in the sewers.
Final point: This game was just pure fun. And I think retroactively I can say, 15 years later and there still hasn't been a game this perfectly paced - not that I've played every possible contender out there. Also bring back the Merchant. What a guy.
Right away - first thing you notice is the camera. It's not great by 2020 standards. This is the one constant downside throughout the game, but for 2005 it was revolutionary. It just doesn't hold up. This is about the only thing to fix really if they make an RE4 remake. That and then just make the game perform and look better obviously.
Other than that? Not a single complaint. The story is classic RE campy, you don't play RE for the story you just enjoy the one liners and cheesiness for what it is. It's fun. The game design on display here is impeccable. There is never a dull moment, it is absolutely perfectly paced. I've never played a game this well paced. The closest would probably be The Last of Us but even it has a dull moment or 2. Not once while playing RE4 did I think "man it's really dragging right now" or "I wish I could get to the next part" (except for in a horror way - that damn invisible bugs section was my nightmare fuel).
The inventory management is perfect as always, you come to expect this from RE. It's enough to make you think about it but not so much to where you're just annoyed (looking at you, games with easy to reach over encumbrance). I was always low enough on ammo to be thinking about it but high enough to not be completely screwed at any point. There was a time I had to go all out with the TMP and taking out enemy's legs because I lacked everything else, but that was the extent of it.
Ashley could be annoying I guess, though I never felt at the expense of the fun. Just those "LEOOOOOOOOOOON" screeches could be a little irritating, but in the end I was happy to hear it cause I was glad to finally escape with her.
The action to horror ratio in this is definitely further tilted towards action - and this is where many attribute RE turning into an action series rather than a horror one, understandably so. But I prefer it how it is in this game. And I certainly didn't lack for scares, it was no RE2 but when you hate insects and see invisible creepy bugs or you get jump scared by an enemy falling on you, there are some scares to be had. I was straight up freaked out in the sewers.
Final point: This game was just pure fun. And I think retroactively I can say, 15 years later and there still hasn't been a game this perfectly paced - not that I've played every possible contender out there. Also bring back the Merchant. What a guy.
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