Critical: 8.5/10
Despite some dated game design aspects (insta-kills, QTEs, inventory management), there is still some exhilarating fun to be had with this game. Each section offers an engaging setpiece, spectacle, or gimmick, resulting in a surprisingly long journey with great pacing and moments. Even though the action and campy dialogue often overtakes the survival horror atmosphere, Resident Evil 4 is a solid experience that has aged incredibly well.
Personal: 9/10
After four long years (college life, am I right?), I managed to finish up the game this summer, and... wow.
I'm not a fan of either shooters or survival horror games, and I originally borrowed this game from my friend as a joke. But there was a point in the first area where I started to realize, "damn, this game is actually fun."
Although the motion controls / aiming greatly enhanced my experience, Resident Evil 4, at its core, is filled with memorable locales and encounters. I find it hard to acknowledge that it originally came out in 2005!
Still, are there some frustrating, dated mechanics? Yes, those insta-kills and QTEs are unforgiving. Is the dialogue kinda awkward? Yes, some of the lines should be coming from a game like Bayonetta instead. But did any of that ruin the overall experience? Not at all.
Despite some dated game design aspects (insta-kills, QTEs, inventory management), there is still some exhilarating fun to be had with this game. Each section offers an engaging setpiece, spectacle, or gimmick, resulting in a surprisingly long journey with great pacing and moments. Even though the action and campy dialogue often overtakes the survival horror atmosphere, Resident Evil 4 is a solid experience that has aged incredibly well.
Personal: 9/10
After four long years (college life, am I right?), I managed to finish up the game this summer, and... wow.
I'm not a fan of either shooters or survival horror games, and I originally borrowed this game from my friend as a joke. But there was a point in the first area where I started to realize, "damn, this game is actually fun."
Although the motion controls / aiming greatly enhanced my experience, Resident Evil 4, at its core, is filled with memorable locales and encounters. I find it hard to acknowledge that it originally came out in 2005!
Still, are there some frustrating, dated mechanics? Yes, those insta-kills and QTEs are unforgiving. Is the dialogue kinda awkward? Yes, some of the lines should be coming from a game like Bayonetta instead. But did any of that ruin the overall experience? Not at all.