I Can’t Cease Shopping for Basic Scary Sport, Resident Evil 4

Again in 2005, after I was youthful, Resident Evil 4 seemed so cool. Then I discovered that it might solely be launched on the Nintendo Gamecube, which I didn’t personal. My desires had been shattered as a result of I used to be a dumb child and didn’t understand that at some point it might come to extra consoles. Since that unhappy second in my life, RE4 has been launched on practically each platform attainable. And each time a brand new port is launched, I can’t cease myself from shopping for it time and again.

(This put up was initially printed on January 19, 2019. It’s been up to date to incorporate extra data on the current port and upcoming remake.)

Resident Evil 4 is an excellent survival horror recreation. It stars Resident Evil veteran Leon Kennedy on a mission to avoid wasting the President’s daughter after she is captured by a bizarre cult hiding out in a non-specific a part of Japanese Europe. This scary recreation is likely one of the finest ever made and it’s change into one of the vital standard horror video games of all time, endlessly showing on varied lists of the very best scary video games to play in October.

On the time of its launch, it was a giant deal. It shook up the Resident Evil franchise, ditching the static digital camera and tank controls of the older video games for an revolutionary behind-the-shoulder view that helped make the motion really feel extra thrilling and in-your-face. The sport ended up reviving the Resident Evil franchise and increasing its fanbase. And as one among my favourite video games of all time, I can’t cease shopping for and taking part in all of the ports Capcom pumps out to appease the seemingly unending demand surrounding RE4.

For instance, when it was introduced in 2018 that RE4 was coming to the Swap, I bear in mind getting actually excited. I may need even pumped my fist within the air upon studying the information. Then I had a second of realization. Was I actually cheering the information {that a} recreation I’ve purchased many instances earlier than and completed a number of instances previously was getting ported but once more? What was mistaken with me, I questioned to myself after getting excited concerning the Swap port. But, contemplating that Capcom retains releasing the incredible Resident Evil 4 on each new console able to operating it, it appears I’m not alone in my Resident Evil 4 obsession. So really, the query is: What’s mistaken with all of us?

When it was introduced final yr that Resident Evil 4 would be ported to the Meta Quest 2, I instantly opened up Amazon and ordered the VR headset. I had already been fascinated about getting it, however the information of a brand new RE4 port pushed me over the sting. I entered some form of fugue state and earlier than I knew it I had bought a VR headset. Fortunately for me, that current port ended up being wonderful and it could be one of the best ways to play the sport, assuming you may have the house and abdomen for digital actuality.

As of October 2022, I at the moment personal Resident Evil 4 on (deep breath…): Xbox 360, Xbox One, PS4, PS2, Wii, PC, and Meta Quest. I even performed that terrible Android port that no one remembers. Do you know that RE4 was launched on a console known as the Zeebo? This console was solely accessible in Mexico & Brazil and I spent means an excessive amount of time really making an attempt to purchase one. I ask once more, what’s mistaken with me?

It’s arduous for me to get uninterested in Resident Evil 4. It has the right opening phase, incredible pacing, the Autumn-like environment that makes it excellent for enjoying round Halloween, and intense motion all mix to create one thing that I nonetheless can’t recover from practically 20 years after its launch.

One motive I preserve coming again and taking part in every new port is that they usually change the expertise in varied methods. For instance, on the Wii, you employ movement controls to purpose, and it’s really an efficient and enjoyable strategy to play. In the meantime, the newer console ports improved the sport’s efficiency and controls. And the VR model added extra interactivity with objects and weapons. None of those modifications damage or detract from what makes RE4 so good, however do supply but one more reason to come back again and play yet one more time.

At this level, I’ve made my peace with the truth that I’ll by no means cease shopping for Resident Evil 4 in any and each type that reveals up. Sure, I’m excited concerning the newly introduced remake. Even worse, I’ll be there in 10 years when that remake will get ported to some new technology of consoles or VR headsets, able to as soon as once more assist Leon Kennedy save the day and kill some Las Plagas. Once more. (Once more.)