Resident Evil 4

By Kristan Reed Published 20 May, 2004

Includes two Resident Evil 4 trailers including direct feed E3 footage! The question is, why do we have this pathological desire to scare ourselves witless? Answers on a scrap of paper hidden under a bed...

'Resident Evil 4' Screenshot 1

You can download two movies of Resident Evil 4 in action - one from Capcom's Las Vegas press event earlier this year, and one from E3 2004 - right now from Eurofiles. For details on how to make use of our free file service, click here.

It's fair to say that we've had a bit of a love-hate relationship with the Resident Evil games over the past eight years. It's almost as if we like the idea of them rather more than the end result, and tend to fill in the gaps and perhaps forgive them for some of their more irritating flaws.

Even the Resident Evil remake and its prequel, Resident Evil Zero barely moved the gameplay on from the very first in the series, sticking doggedly to outdated control and camera systems, not to mention predictable sequences involving the hunt for an obscure object to unlock a procession of doors. Even the stories were barmy exercises in B-movie ham, complete with some of the most unintentionally amusing voice acting of all time.

So why the hell do we feel compelled to play through every single one of them? It's a question that's bugged us for years, but it probably comes down to that most difficult of gaming elements to quantify: atmosphere. It's there in spades, and although we can see through the trick, we're pulled in every time. As much as we wanted Shinji Mikami and company to fully overhaul the series, there was still a concern that it might not necessarily be change for the better. We needn't have worried - Resident Evil 4 is our most wanted GameCube title of the moment.

Evil... 'kinevil

'Resident Evil 4' Screenshot 2

The demo version presented on the E3 show floor this year is ostensibly the same as that presented earlier in the year to journalists at Capcom's Vegas shindig, but it was new to us and clearly one of the games of the show, so what the hell. To deliver some context, RE4 is set six years after Raccoon City was blitzed following the Umbrella Corp's viral outbreak. Leon Kennedy, the rookie cop from RE2, is now a fully trained Special Forces member, and is on a mission to Europe to rescue the president's daughter, who has been captured for reasons not entirely made clear.

Placed in a thoroughly unpleasant looking (Spanish?) village, full of decaying wooden shacks and unfriendly locals, your first task is to find one of the villagers and ask for clues. A nearby house, of sorts, offers the only location to enter, and inside is a shadowy figure standing by a roaring fire. Turning to face Leon, he shouts some aggressive expletive and lurches forward to attack. At this point you're straight into the action and get your first taste of the overhauled combat.

Panning back into an impressive over the shoulder view, a laser sight lets you know precisely where your shot will end up and a couple of shots later our assailant is grounded. The first thing to note is the appropriate and realistic response enemies have to being shot, both in terms of the way they reel back depending on where your hit them, but also their screams of agony. They also whistle for assistance if they know help is nearby and jabber away in their native tongue. It really is quite disconcerting, especially as they're not dressed up like generic zombies this time, but very real, very convincing murderers intent on making short work of intruders to their little festival of death.

Inversion perversion

'Resident Evil 4' Screenshot 3

Control wise, although you can choose to invert the aim or not, it's a system that doesn't feel entirely perfect, in that it's rather too easy to overcompensate and end up aiming at the floor or ceiling. Likewise in a group of enemies, the over-the-shoulder view means you often have no idea where your other assailants are coming from, leaving you with a bunch of ugly hicks tearing chunks out of your nice furry collared leather jacket (give us one, Capcom!). We're hoping we'll get used to pulling off head shots with ease though, because when you do get one right in the kisser, not only does it look fantastic, but it's incredibly effective - dispatching some of the weaker enemies almost immediately.

After your early encounter ends in shocking violence, you realise you're locked in for some obscure reason, leaving you with no choice but to check out a few pointless bookcases, a roaring fire and ascend the stairwell and peer out of the window. A context-sensitive 'action' prompt gives you the chance to escape by jumping out of the window, and although Leon lands with grace and no injuries, he's immediately set upon by a pissed off gang of three villagers, all determined to avenge their buddy's death. It's not easy to shrug these little beggars off in close proximity, but the game introduces new melee combat options, with context-sensitive kicks enabling Leon to floor enemies with a quick roundhouse to the chops. Nice.

After that little bout of bad tempered combat, the demo settles down for a brief few minutes, allowing you to have a decent look around the place, taking in some truly spectacularly detailed environments that you'd never have thought possible from a GameCube. The trees, well, they actually look like trees, for a start, complete with fallen leaves and a myriad of minute touches that previously would have been the domain of static pre-rendered games.

Silent Evil

'Resident Evil 4' Screenshot 4

Such an insane amount of vegetation detail is truly something special, and when you realise it's fully 3D and not just a flashy static environment, you know Capcom has truly created a cutting edge engine that lends itself to the game perfectly. In a way, it looks rather like what Konami has been aiming for with Silent Hill for years, but this truly takes it above and beyond that grainy style with so few compromises that it's hard to believe they've pulled it off.

In what is a distinctly rural, but ugly tree laden village, you're restricted in true Ressie Evil style to where it allows you to go, so there's a broken bridge, a few wooden huts here and there, and the game gives you the opportunity to shoot a few boxes open to raid them for pistol ammo and (surprise, surprise) herbs, as well as providing a save point opportunity, which disappointingly still relies on the unforgiving typewriter - we can only hope it still doesn't require the use of ribbons to dictate how many times you can save.

Also on your travels you - bizarrely - get to free a white dog, which has its leg caught in some evil metal jaw mechanism. Wandering down into a more populated section of the village proves to be an entirely hazardous experience, with multiple enemies ready to gang up on you and your weedy pistol. On approach the game gives you the chance to use your binoculars and check out what appears to be a cruel sacrifice ritual, with an unfortunate victim hung up gruesomely by a large hook in the square. Taking our chances, we snuck round the back of the commotion, only to be rumbled on our escape, with a chainsaw-wielding foe wasting no time in trying to saw our face off. It's just as terrifying as it looks in the screenshots and movies. The enemies in general are aggressive and intelligent, and you'd really rather not mess with them given the choice. Goodness only knows what variety of bosses lie in wait - so far we know about a giant and an underwater beast - but we frankly can't wait to find out.

Skill-related issues

It's true that we could use some more practice in the combat department, and maybe some sort of auto targeting option would be a good idea, but apart from that, we came away from this long-awaited title feeling more than a little confident that Capcom has managed to pull off the double whammy - a series reinvention that stays true to the vision. For fans and unbelievers you couldn't really ask for much more. For horror fans, this is as good a reason to own a GameCube as we've seen - or as good a reason to consider beefing up that health insurance plan...

Resident Evil 4 is due out in Europe in early 2005.

Picture of Kristan.

About Kristan Reed

Kristan is a former editor of Eurogamer, dad, Stone Roses bore and Norwich City supporter who sometimes mutters optimistically about Team Silent getting back together.

Read more articles from Kristan by visiting the Kristan Reed archive page.

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Comments (28) Latest comment 7 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • steven #1 8 years ago

    Good preview.

  • Blerk #2 8 years ago

    Placed in a thoroughly unpleasant looking (Spanish?) village

    I thought 'Mexican' rather than Spanish.

  • Blerk #3 8 years ago

    Finished reading now - nice preview. And mmm... it sounds nice. Although I hate the background story, does it have to be so 'All American (tm)'? Piccies are lovely, video is lovely, but.... they don't seem to have gone as far down the 'actually scary' route as I'd hoped they would. I'm very excited to get my mitts on this, but still not as excited as I am for Silent Hill 4. Sorry, Capcom. I do still love ya!

  • krudster #4 8 years ago

    It's definitely European, and according to some Spanish hacks the villagers are speaking some sort of bastardised Spanish. Apparently when the chainsaw bloke appears they shout "round the back" as if to try and block his escape. You also pick up Pesatas during the demo, although no-one seems to know what they're for at this point.

  • Stevas mkII #5 8 years ago

    This is possibly the game I am looking forward to more than any other at the moment. Resident Evil, you say? With a revised control system (allowing you to actually aim for heads and shit)? In proper 3D?
    Widescreen?!
    Jesus, throw in a free fat man in a red suit and release it at christmas, why don't you.

  • steven #6 8 years ago

    Silent Hill 4? I would rather have RE4 anyday anytime. But thats just my own opinion.

  • Blerk #7 8 years ago

    You also pick up Pesatas during the demo

    Euros, surely? :-D

  • andrewfromdoncaster #8 8 years ago

    Hehe pesatas

  • Blerk #9 8 years ago

    Silent Hill 4? I would rather have RE4 anyday anytime.

    Silent Hill too scary for ya? ;-)

  • Freek #10 8 years ago

    I'll just have both, as long as they don't launch on the same day.

  • steven #11 8 years ago

    "Silent Hill too scary for ya? ;-) "

    For your info I have played Project Zero and THAT was scary.
    It is just that from a gameply point of view, RE4 seems much better to me.

  • malloc #12 8 years ago

    http://www.eurogamer.net/view_sc reenshot.php?image=/assets/articles/a55599/1.jpg

    Ouch, gotta hurt.

    Good article. Game looks fantastic, and hopefully it'll be the ultimate in the RE series, by the amount of time and effort they've obviously poured into it.

  • steven #13 8 years ago

    oops the last pic is not in RE4 anymore.

  • bungalooBunny #14 8 years ago

    It's 'pesetas', and in Mexico they speak Spanish too... Judging by the old buildings though it's most likely set in Europe.

    After looking at some semi-disappointing movies from SH4 I'm looking forward to this.

  • steven #15 8 years ago

    The last pic was from the previous RE4 code. It has been totally scrapped since then.

  • Nikanoru #16 8 years ago

    which disappointingly still relies on the unforgiving typewriter - we can only hope it still doesn't require the use of ribbons to dictate how many times you can save.

    Uhh, that sounds as if you'd be disappointed even without the ink ribbons (which would make the typewriters like regular save points). Don't tell me you want a wussy little save-anywhere system....

    Besides, limited saving adds to the fear of dying....I'd be disappointed if they actually did get rid of the ink ribbons.

    Well I must be one of the only ones not excited about this game.
    (1) Resi has always had a shit control system so why change it?
    (2) All Resi games have obscure puzzles and story lines!
    (3) This game will be no different; nice graphics same old game.

    (1) I like bubblewraps, they're full of poppy goodness.
    (2) Santa is coming this week!
    (3) Some people can type with their dicks but why bother when you have a 4x4 roadster?

    Hey, typing random useless shit that just popped up in my head, and making a list out of it is hella fun! Thanks for showing me how, Mystic Meg!

  • OnlyMe #17 8 years ago

    Seriously, I can't imagine anyone being sceptic about this game. The controls are vastly different from the original, the gameplay is much more fluid, the graphics are incredible and the settings are excellent.

    What more can you ask for?

  • bungalooBunny #18 8 years ago

    Resi 4 + Zelda WW2 = must buy the Cube.

  • mustardkid #19 8 years ago

    god that looks great .... zombies aint the only ones with dribble on their chin now.

  • Kami #20 8 years ago

    It's a Cube game, OnlyMe. Theres a section of people who don't like 'Cube or any of it's games, so they'll find SOMETHING to whinge about!

    Me, Stevas mkII. Bring the release forward slightly, throw a fat man in a red suit and wooly edging and give him a jolly laugh and a few raindeer. That would be idyllic.


    But it ain't gonna happen... lets just hope it's released so my dearly beloved can show how much she loves me on Valentines Day ;-)

  • Freek #21 8 years ago

    Yes, nothing says "I love you" like a bunch of psycotic villagers tearing into you with a chainsaw. ;)

  • mystic_mick #22 8 years ago

    Nakaludo Wrote:
    (1) I like bubblewraps, they're full of poppy goodness.
    (2) Santa is coming this week!
    (3) Some people can type with their dicks but why bother when you have a 4x4 roadster?

    Hey, typing random useless shit that just popped up in my head, and making a list out of it is hella fun! Thanks for showing me how, Mystic Meg!


    Get medical help before it's too late.

  • Mortus #23 8 years ago

    "(1) Resi has always had a shit control system so why change it?
    (2) All Resi games have obscure puzzles and story lines!
    (3) This game will be no different; nice graphics same old game."

    1) Er... BECAUSE it was shit? As good a reason as any to fix it, don't you think?
    2) The puzzles yes, but storylines? "A virus broke out. Fucked shit up. Zombies trying to eat you". Not really mind bending.
    3) You haven't played it. You aren't the least bit qualified to make that call.

  • Kami #24 8 years ago

    Time for me to bite:

    "(1) Resi has always had a shit control system so why change it?"

    That is a matter for some debate, since I personally love the control system - probably more because, having been a fan since the PS1 original and clocking the 500 completes on RE3, I am so darn used to it. A new control system, however, is a welcome change in a game which, essentially, is so radically different from it's predecessors.

    "(2) All Resi games have obscure puzzles and story lines!"

    As Mortus said - puzzles I will grant you, however when you look at them logically, they do make a little bit more sense (like, key on a corpse other side of train... some saw that as pointless, but the guy was prob. trying to get to the front of the train... before being munched on.) so it can be debatable....

    Storylines, I have to say, you have no clue on. Follow the RE timeline, and it does really make sense. As Mortus says - for those who don't wanna get too in depth, Umbrella Inc. creates virus. Virus gets loose. Virus creates zombies and mutants. Said zombies and mutants see you as food. So you shoot said zombies and mutants.

    For basic purposes, taking the complexities of the characters out of the equation, theres not a huge deal more to it. Shoot living-dead things, look for a way to escape.

    The storyline is far from obscure... and the character "relations" make sense as well... they won't if you haven't played previous titles, I'll grant you, but that isn't a problem...

    "(3) This game will be no different; nice graphics same old game."

    Guh... this is where I get the feeling you're not a 'Cube fan. Because I assure you, this game is so different that to be honest, it's Resident Evil in name only. And I think it's going to be HUGE. Actually, if it doesn't sell well, I'm burning all my consoles and giving up gaming because there would be absolutely no justice in the world today, and no point to keep gaming.

  • Bragelonne #25 8 years ago

    It certainly looks interesting, however, it's shaping up as a re-invention rather than evolution.

    This could, and probably does, mean that all the loose ends and established characters will be discarded in favour of the new direction.

    A brave move on Capcom's behalf, but I can't be only one to lament the loss of Umbrella, Wesker et al.

  • asphaltcowboy #26 8 years ago

    This game would be my only reason to buy a GC.
    Damn this game really makes me want one. *sigh*

  • #27 7 years ago

    Too bad it's not scary .. like all other Resident Evil games. But.. the chainsaw yodel seems to be a great sport .. and he sure can take a couple of shotgun wads on his face. What a guy!

  • Demonic_Assassin #28 7 years ago

    I read in a game magazine that the chainsaw guy is invincible, like the guy in RE3. Does anyone know if this is true? Invincible meaning that you see him off every now and then, but then he'll return later.
    Edited by 1 at 25/10/04 @ 13:57

  • Demonic_Assassin #29 7 years ago

    This game is going to be good. Who knows, it might just shift some consoles as well.

  • #30 7 years ago

    "I read in a game magazine that the chainsaw guy is invincible, like the guy in RE3. Does anyone know if this is true?"

    It's not true. He does tick on keep taking a lick on keep on do what he does even if you kick him in his .. spare parts.. but with enough shotgun hits he actually do go down. So, I'm afraid that game magazine you read there .. is a PIECE OF SHIT. I mean, they just talk trash and don't know what's fo real yo.

  • #31 7 years ago

    I'd say the controls are more 'like' Resident Evil, but an 'advancement'. The turning is a bit annoying, yeah. If they'd only implemented strafing, but I guess that would give you a unfair advantage against the not so good AIs.