Import review: You've probably played this game before - it was one of the greatest works to come from the last generation of console hardware, critically regarded as the definitive entry in Capcom's Resident Evil series. But the Wii Remote has changed the boundaries of what's possible in games, moving Capcom to sense an opportunity and pounce.
Ostensibly this new edition is nothing more than a rehash of the GameCube and PS2 versions of Resident Evil 4, but in actuality - thanks to the wonders of Wii - it emerges as a full, bloody rebirth. (Appropriately, it's bloody good too.)
So how does it work, we bet you're itching to know? Here's some salve: in one hand the Nunchuk provides character movement control, and in the other hand the Remote is your weapon. No surprises there then, really, but this set-up does make perfect sense.
By dividing control of Leon's movement and gun use between two hands, Capcom has redefined the game's aiming system and freed the game from one of its former niggles. Now you can actually shoot your enemies' individual limbs, taking out heads or legs, with relative ease - something that proved frustratingly awkward on GameCube.
The pointer calibration here is so sharp you could cut yourself with it: even compared with Nintendo's own gunwork in the Duck Hunt-styled passage of Wii Play, it feels like there's greater precision in Capcom's handiwork. The crosshair visible on-screen doesn't shake (unless you're really scared and can't control your hands, of course) and there's no need to move your whole arm (unless you want to copy the hired stooges on Wii TV ads) - the result is an effortless and flawless targeting system that does exactly what you demand of it.
While the Remote is pointed screenward, a crosshair shows up on the display - changing from an unobtrusive grey through to lime green as you pull the B trigger, and running red when your target is in sight. Just point, shoot and dodge the exploding villager brains.
The Nunchuk is put to equally good use, but in an altogether more understated way. Hold Z and Leon will run as you direct his movement with the analogue stick. Tap C and Leon will produce his knife. Your left hand will know that it's holding the history of game control; your right hand will have all the new-age fun.
Even away from the regular pattern of walk-stop-shoot-walk, the Wii Remote is applied to more interesting actions. A quick double-shake of the remote reloads Leon's gun, for example, which works well as a satisfying and simple method for ammo recharge. The Remote's speaker is also used to good effect, chiming in with appropriate effects when receiving radio signals or changing ammo.
Elsewhere, during interactive cutscenes, the Remote is used to help Leon out of tricky situations. Early on, for instance, some villagers try to crush Leon beneath a boulder, which they push from the top of a hillside.
To get out of the way, you first have to waggle the remote like fury, which causes Leon to sprint (like fury). Then, at the climax of the scene, a quick A-B button press is enough to make Leon dive into a nearby bush.
In terms of the content here, almost everything has remained the same as the GameCube and PS2 versions. Or rather, this edition takes the best from both of those versions. The visuals are based on the Cube game's engine, but nicely upscaled to 480p (progressive scan) and rendered in 16:9 (widescreen).
The PS2 extras are also here, though, including the Ada Wong side-story, the Removal Laser, and unlockable costumes for Leon and Ashley. And, right from the off, Amateur and Easy modes are playable alongside the (resolutely tough) Normal difficulty game. Everything is in place, then, to make this the definitive version of Resident Evil 4.
We're not going to complain because Capcom hasn't built a new Wii game from the ground up. That's not the point of this release. And really, why change a winning formula (beyond the introduction of control improvements)? Resident Evil 4: Wii Edition retains the perfect incidental music of Resi 4, causing you to suspect that something's afoot when nothing is, and making you feel almost comfortable before the biggest shocks are unleashed. It's flowing with the directorial menace of Hitchcock circa The Birds and Marnie.
It has the looks, it has the compelling level design, and it has the scary bits. Check, then: this is Resident Evil 4 all over again, but slightly better.
What could be seen as a cynical cash-in is actually more of a moral obligation: Capcom had to do this. It makes perfect sense.
Uppers
Improved control system Visual enhancements (16:9 and progressive scan) Already a wonderful example of pacing and drama The definitive version of Capcom's finest Resi to date
I've never completed this game, in fact i stopped before even finishing disk 1 as i found it quite boring! It just didn't have the suspense etc i expected from a Resi game.
I might give it another go on Wii if it is cheap enough.
Even though I own this on the 'Cube, I was still tempted to buy the PS2 version just for the extra features, but I was put off due to the whole, "where did the trees go?" This, however, seems worth the extra purchase. Brilliant.
I played this on the PS2 and I thought it was one of the best games I'd ever played... can't wait for the wii-release, the new controls and upgraded visuals (compared to the PS2 version) will make it a must-buy for me.
This is so great, considering that I have not played though Resident Evil 4 yet as I have not found the right time yet to play it and I get the definative version too for £29.99 and I can exchange my gamecube version for it too so im well glad I havent played it yet!
Despite being a veteran of GC RE4, I am tempted by this. The idea of using the remote to aim appeals to me despite probably making the game easier. The problem is that they've replaced the laser sight with a target reticule, which stops you from making long range shots with the Red9, because you won't be able to see a little red dot on them, which is kind of annoying.
clocked cube and ps2 versions on 'pro',all stars with ALL mercs(the handcannon is awesome btw)seperate ways isn't bad and will be a nice treat for 'ps2 version virgins'.the prl4 is useless though... i'm also worried about the lack of decapitations in the trailers,i know they were cut from the jap cube version and they aren't in the wii version either,put them back in for europe capcom.
i got this as my friend loved this on gamecube, and told me if i see it in stock i should get it for wii, due to the improved aiming system. i was not disappointed, and it was definitely worth the £26.75 i paid for it.
the graphics, even though unchanged, are still excellent, except for maybe when the plagas sprouts out of a ganado's neck. they look ok, but i found them to look quite cheap, but that's just my opinion. the game is not scary, but there is still some suspense. one of my friends screamed when he played this, when someone came at him from the side and he didn;t notice them until he saw an axe coming down on his character.
the sound effects that come out of the wii remote also add to the atmosphere of the game, and the screams and shouts of the various infected people in this game are prety freaky. some aren't all that scary tho, in my opinion the zealots in the castle were not all that scary, and looked a bit like lord farquaad's guards from shrek to me.
the controls are flawless. the aiming is spot on, even though it can be a tad easy at times to dispose of oncoming threats, and projectiles like axes and scythes. it is a lot of fun to play, and the story is also excellent, and sometimes unpredictable.
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Import review: You've probably played this game before - it was one of the greatest works to come from the last generation of console hardware, critically regarded as the definitive entry in Capcom's Resident Evil series. But the Wii Remote has changed the boundaries of what's possible in games, moving Capcom to sense an opportunity and pounce.
Improved control system
