Resident Evil 4: Wii Edition

"A classic that was made to be on the Wii."

Resident Evil 4 took the classic series in a whole new direction from what most players had been used to. Whereas in the previous games you were taking on zombies and mutants that were bent on killing you in some grotesque manner or other, Resident Evil 4 increased the suspense factor by having you take on foes that were intelligent and would find creative ways to attempt to take you down. And instead of static camera angles, you saw everything from an over the shoulder view, giving things a whole new perspective (excuse the pun!) on the action going on around you. And, of course, there's the mysterious story that gets more and more mysterious, but interesting as well, as you go along. It was a whole new twist for the Resident Evil series that worked to its advantage. And now, Capcom has blessed Wii owners with an updated version for the Wii, which includes all of the original gameplay you remember, but made to work with the Wii. Not to mention it's priced well too.

Graphics: 9/10
The only downer here is that the graphics were only slightly enhanced from their original style, so while it may look a bit sharper than before, it's not that noticeable. Other than that, the appearance of the game is still just as impressive as ever. The backgrounds are colored in well and rendered in a very realistic manner, with little tidbits like branches swaying and birds flying away adding to the realism. While most of the game is played from an 'over-the-shoulder' view, there are times where the game will switch to a different camera angle, and not just for the cinematic scenes either. Sometimes they do it to rub in the suspense of what's going on, like seeing through the eyes of an adversary who's watching an unsuspecting Leon for instance. You'll also note that the Ganados, your primary adversaries in the game, may not entirely be human, but they're no zombies either. You won't see them just standing around idly, nor will they just shamble after you. When they're not aware of you, they'll do things like tend to chores around the area or chat amongst themselves. When they do see you, they'll run after you like cops swarming on a robber, and they run like real people, not some generic robotic type of character either.

The other enemies, which are a bit more on the mutated side, are a lot different from your standard undead mutants, but just as creepy. Some of them are pretty large too, which adds to the fright factor.


Sounds: 8/10
The dialogue in the Resident Evil series has come a long way from the old laughable dialogue in the first game, meaning that characters speak like they mean it instead of sounding like they're bored to tears and are just trying to advance the story. Each character speaks with full emotion so the way they're acting is matched by their voices. There are a few laughable bits, but these are one-liners that are worth laughing at. The only bit that really gets me is how annoying Ashley can be when she's crying out for help from Leon. Sure, I know she's in distress, and her voice isn't that bad, actually, it's just that the way she does it can get a bit annoying. Then again, it does help motivate you to rescue her from her captors!

As for the soundtrack, the music is well composed and sets the mood for each situation, whether you're encountering your first hostile or just trying to find your way out of a dangerous spot in the middle of the night. The music is definitely fitting for a Resident Evil game.

Controls: 10/10
The Wiimote was definitely made for this game. You use the nunchuck to move Leon, and you can aim the Wiimote at the screen to aim your gun. Of course, you still need to hold down a button to draw your weapon, and then another one to fire. You'd think the B button would've been the trigger instead of A, but it's not that big of a deal to be honest. You can also draw your knife with one button, which is useful for breaking containers open as well as dealing with minor pests. For purists, or for those who have trouble with the Wiimote, there's also the option of using a Classic Controller or GameCube controller. Either way, however you play it, it plays well.

The ability to aim just about anywhere isn't there just for effect. It actually allows you to aim at certain targets as well as certain parts of your enemy's body, which adds a new level of realism and strategy. For example, if you shoot an approaching Ganado in the leg, they'll drop to one knee, which will stop them momentarily, allowing you to either get out of harm's way, or maybe finish them off. If an enemy's got a stick of dynamite in their hand, try shooting at it and watch them blow themselves up! This also allows you to destroy crates and similar objects, which may have special items hidden within, like herbs and money. Yes, money. You can buy new weapons and items from a mysterious merchant throughout the game, as well as the ability to upgrade your weapons.

As a throwback to the classic series, typewriters are still used to save your game, but you don't need those darned ink ribbons anymore!

Story: 9/10
It's been nearly a decade since the T-Virus incident occurred in Raccoon City, and ever since the city was destroyed, the Umbrella Corporation, the previous villains, has begun to slowly fade out of existence. Meanwhile, Leon S. Kennedy, the hero of Resident Evil 2, has been receiving training from the government to be an elite agent. He has recently been dispatched to Spain to rescue Ashley Graham, the daughter of the president who has been kidnapped. While investigating a small village, Leon finds out that the locals aren't exactly very friendly; in fact, they want to kill him! As you advance through the game, you find out that this isn't just a simple kidnapping, but a more sinister plot that is deeper and darker than most of the games in the series. But you'll have to play it to find out what that is. Also, there's a chance some old friends might stop by to see you!


Replay: 7/10
The game comes packed with its standard unlockables, including powerful weapons with unlimited ammunition, new costumes, and a few extra 'minigames,' including a survival type mode where you attempt to survive as long as possible against a seemingly endless army of enemies, a shooting gallery, and a couple of side missions with an old friend. It's not a lot, but it does give the game a bit of replay value.


Overall: 9/10
Resident Evil 4: Wii Edition doesn't add too much to the game that's already great as is, but it's still the great game you know and love. If you've never played it, it's a perfect time to do so, and for only $30, you can't go wrong. If you've already played it, you aren't missing too much, but for $30, it's not that bad of a deal either.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 11/26/07

Game Release: Resident Evil 4: Wii Edition (US, 06/19/07)