So I've been playing
Resident Evil 4 (Wii) for the past few weeks. Let me start off by saying that I am Resident Evil biased and the new controller setup had little to do with me buying this game. Hell, I could play Resident Evil 4 with a freakin' Power Glove.
With that said, using the Wii-mote actually feels very refreshing once you get used to it. Moving Leon with the nunchuk is one of the best parts for me because it makes moving around a breeze once you become familiar with it. At the beginning of the game, I was getting murdered by the first few Ganados but halfway through everything started to fall in place. The Wii-mote aiming is more precise making headshots much easier to get when in tight situations. I was already familiarized enough with the controller and laser to get headshots almost just as fast though, but still the Wii-mote is slightly better. It really shines during the shooting gallery when quick headshots become important. A green cursor represents the targeting area for the Wii-mote and the cursor will turn red while the Wii-mote rumbles once the cursor has fallen over a shootable object.
I've seen some complain that the Wii-mote setup makes the game too easy and takes tension out of tight situations. I didn't feel that way at all. The tension is still there and the game is still just as tough in some areas.
The Wii version can be played in one of three ways - either with the Wii-mote and nunchuk, the classic controller, or the Gamecube controller. The classic controller's setup doesn't match up with the game that well and there is no way to change the controller setup so the first and third way were my most preferred. While using a controller, the red laser will appear back on screen much to my satisfaction. I still feel that the red laser looks much more natural than a big green cursor.
What about the actual game content? Well, the game remains just about the same. If you've only played the Gamecube version, you'll notice the new unlockable Seperate Ways mode, the Movie Viewer, Leon's and Ashley's new outfits, and the P.R.L. 412 laser for those brave enough to tackle Professional mode. PS2 fans should notice an overall better looking game with added soundbytes, no more pixelated Ganado faces, shootable torches, better lighting effects, and in-game cutscene (no more prerendered [meaning characters wear unlockable outfits as shown in the main game]). I'm not sure about PC fans since I haven't played that version.
I do have a few minor nitpicks though. Leon's gangster outfit is taken directly from the PS2 version, so that model isn't quite up to par with his Gamecube models. This is extremely noticeable when Capcom decided not to include the gangster model in the in-game cutscenes. He is always replaced with the normal Leon model (with or without the jacket) when the gangster model is chosen. Also, on the Seperate Ways mode, the torches cannot be shot still much like the PS2 version. This is all extreme nitpicking from a hardcore fan, but it's still noticeable.
Resident Evil 4 withstands the test of time in my view. It's still just as fun today as it was two years ago. I still get just as involved as I did back then. Now with the new controller setup, it feels slightly easier to play, but again, that doesn't really matter as much to me. This
is the ultimate version for any Resident Evil fan. At 30 dollars, it's definitely worth it.
9/10"If limited life is God's decree, then I shall defy it! And within that eternity, I shall curse Him forevermore."
