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PS2 | Action | Resident Evil 4

Boxart for Resident Evil 4
Resident Evil 4 156 screen shots
  • GRAPHICS: 4.5
  • SOUND: 4.5
  • CONTROL: 4.5
  • FUN FACTOR 4.5
  • AVG USER SCORE 4.9
  • AVG CRITIC SCORE 4.8
Winner of the GamePro Editor's Choice Award

Review: Resident Evil 4

Review by JohnnyK | 04/03/2006 | 12:06:03 PM PST

Capcom's modern horror classic hits the PS2 and it will blow you away.

If you thought Resident Evil 4 was great on the GameCube, prepare to experience it in a whole new way on the PlayStation 2. With new modes and content that are guaranteed to scare you to the core, it's a good time to own a PS2.

Evil Has A New Home

It's hard to deny the charms of the GameCube version of Resident Evil 4. Despite being a major change of direction for the series, Capcom managed to produce a top notch action game that not only stayed true to the Resident Evil franchise, but also a title that hopefully ushers in a new era of survival horror gaming. But what began as originally a GameCube exclusive is now hitting the PS2 and thankfully the results are just as amazing.

Resident Evil For You On Your PS2

While visual downgrades are usually par for the course when it comes to taking a GameCube game to the PS2, Resident Evil 4 manages to keep this at a minimum. While the game is slightly less detailed than its predecessor when it comes to character models, which are on the blocky side, environments and effects are absolutely stellar. Since the game relies heavily on keeping you on the edge of your seat, it's nice to see that elements like lighting and shadowing have been relatively unchanged.

In terms of game-play, Resident Evil 4 is nearly identical to the GameCube version. Leon still controls like a dream and the over-the-shoulder camera viewpoint still offers a nice swatch of vision to let you get a bead on enemies. The only real complaints comes in the fact that the game doesn't allow you to customize your controls, which leads to some frustrating moments have having to re-learn how to do things like navigate menus and even organize your inventory.

And Then There's The New Stuff

Even if you're run through the GameCube version of Resident Evil 4 a hundred times, the PS2 version offers up plenty of reasons to play one more time. Leon has tote around the new P.R.L.412 weapon, which can zap a parasite right out of the body of an enemy, and you can even play through the all-new "Separate Ways" missions that has you playing as Ada Wong. This bonus is probably the most enjoyable and besides giving you access to some cool new bonuses, it also gives you some insight in to what the mysterious woman in red has been occupying herself with while you've been playing as Leon.

Resident Evil 4 delivered on the GameCube and does the same on the PS2. While the controls can get a tad touchy and the visuals aren't quite as crisp as they once were, any gamer in the know deserves to check this game out. It's just that good.

KEY MOMENT: Playing through the unlockable "Separate Ways" bonus missions starring Ada Wong and learning just how much she's been up to the entire game.