 | | Although still a looker, Resi 4 doesn't port without taking some chinks in the armour |
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Not perfectly, to be honest. The original Gamecube version has of course been one of the true delights of the year thus far, and a large part of that was down to how damn crisp it felt. So tight. So perfect. Playing the PS2 version, it retains the same awesome gameplay and cinematic brilliance, but lacks that amazing technical polish in my book.
The textures are low rez, the models are made of significantly fewer polygons and in general it feels a lot fuzzier and softer. The lighting also lacks its former beauty, and on the whole that razor sharp, chiselled look of the Gamecube version feels conspicuously missing here. You literally couldn't believe what you were seeing on the Gamecube, but here...well, you can.
Arguably much worse is the horrendous audio quality. Everything sounds so hollow and distant this time around, with no punch or weight behind it as before. Whereas the graphic downgrade is merely one of superficiality though, the drop in sound quality I feel significantly affects the gameplay.
 | | This version includes a bonus sci-fi-tinged weapon that feels somewhat out of place amongst Resi 4's shotguns and magnums |
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Numerous times I couldn't differentiate between enemies that were in the distance and those that were standing right behind me, as they are all bathed in those same muddy, low quality frequencies, lacking any kind of space or breadth. I had my head chainsawed off by Mr. Paper Bag face more than once due to this.
Still it must be said, considering the PS2's age and considerably lower specs, this overall downgrade in technical quality is of course to be expected, if not appreciated. Resi 4 still looks a stunner considering the platform.
It's also worth noting, this version includes proper widescreen support unlike the original. On the Gamecube, one had to "zoom in" on the 4:3 image to get a widescreen view, and it's a pleasing addition here.
This version also includes some bonus gameplay features not seen on the Cube. There's an additional weapon and some new comedy costumes, all of which I can give or take, but the real meat of the new content is Ada's bolted on "Separate Ways" mission.
 | | Ada's bonus mission fills in some of the blanks from the overall story and is a most pleasing addition |
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This is a smaller subplot that runs alongside the main game, interweaving with Leon's adventure. Admittedly, most of it takes place in the same environments, but there's one additional segment that's pure brand spanking new Resi 4 action. Can't complain about that.
At the end of the day, I'm a sucker for life-like graphics and pixel perfect beauty, thus preferring the GameCube version ever so slightly. I also find Nintendo's controller way more responsive and personalised for this off-the-wall control scheme. Given the choice, I'd opt for that one myself.
We all know more people own a PS2 than every other bloody system ever made put together though, so at the very least it's great to see so many gamers finally able to experience one of 2005's - if not all-time's - true gaming greats.
Resident Evil 4 is still an absolute classic; solid and satisfying, with oh so much to see and experience. For the full low-down, check out my original Gamecube review
here.
This review/report was created by the great team at TPSreport.co.uk:
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