I often tote Resident Evil 4 as one of my favorite games of all time. Playing through the game again recently I was easily reminded of why I love this game so. The writing is delightfully clever with Leon, the main protagonist, delivering incredibly memorable one-liners through-out the whole game. The combat system, while still technically an iteration or evolution, of the infamous "tank controls" works surprising well. Yes you can't move and shoot at the same time but when compared to other third-person shooters, including modern Resident Evil games, usually aiming while moving is incredibly more difficult anyways. When you factor in that the enemies in this game a relatively slow compared to other shooters it makes the challenge level feel very appropriate in relation to the control scheme. It is hard for me to hold back because I can't do enough to convince those who haven't played Resident Evil 4 to give it a try.
Resident Evil 4 takes place out in rural Spain where Leon Kennedy finds himself investigating the disappearance of the daughter of the United States president. When he arrives at the local village he is attacked by the locals who appear to be under the influence of some religious cult. This cult has discovered a parasite underground which can be used to manipulate individuals once they've been injected. Leon finds Ashley, the president's daughter, easy enough but the problem is how to escape. They are both infected with the parasite and it is only a matter of time before they completely lose their free will. Thankfully, they run into a local agent who wants to help them but with Umbrella getting involved making it out unscathed will be that much more difficult.
The game plays from a third-person perspective with the player looking over Leon's shoulder. While moving around the landscape you don't usually need to adjust the camera as it will follow Leon's movement. However, once in combat you'll need to use the right analog stick to direct your red-dot sight as you aim your weapons. Leon starts off with a pistol which is fairly good at mid-range accuracy but soon acquires a shotgun which, while short-range, offers a nice spread. Beyond those it is up to the player to decide which other weapons are worth purchasing or upgrading for improved stats. If you aim at the head you may be able to kill enemies in one shot but you can also try knocking them down to knife them or staggering them in order to kick them away.
While the combat is thrilling it is the superb level design that really shines throughout your journey. Each chapter in the game has a unique feel and the settings vary quite a bit from interior designs to the exterior woodlands. There is a ton of useful loot to find by exploring every nook and cranny including ammo, grenades, and cash. Grenades are a little tricky to aim but are highly effective at dealing with large groups of enemies. You can never quite have enough cash with the awesome selection of weapons and upgrades which slowly unlock over the course of the game. There is an extra layer of challenge in having to protect Ashley but on the off chance an enemy grabs her they are usually easy to dispatch before they can take her away. There is a good share of puzzles throughout the game but nothing too difficult, definitely shouldn't be anything that should slow the pace down for long.
Well if you haven't played this gem and all that doesn't convince you I'm not sure what else I can say. This game has aged incredibly well. The story will still make you smile with all of Leon's clever quips. The combat may take a minute to adjust to but after you pop a couple heads off you'll likely be hooked. For a triple-A experience the story is decently long, probably close to twenty hours if it is your first time. Each new area is a joy to explore which really helps make you feel like you're embarking on quite a lengthy journey. Additionally, after you finish the game you unlock an endless horde-like mode along with another story which gives you a new perspective and lasts a good couple hours. Resident Evil 4 manages to blend in horror elements, humor, and action-driven combat in such a seamless way that it is hard to imagine another game could top.