Has RE4 lost it's charm for anyone else?

[Mr. Kennedy]

I always thought it was. You watch the opening cutscene to RE2, and the dialogue is horrible, bland, and mediocre.

I think the remake is the closest we've gotten to good, but even in that game there are some horrible lines. Capcom's writers just aren't very good with dialogue. Great mythology, but atrocious writing.

[Enrico Marini]

Leon's oneliners on the first play through were ok though every time since they make me want to tear off my ears. Ashley annoys me to no end, to the point where on my first play through when she is in the trap and I had no clue to what I had to do, I used the rocket launcher on her. I couldn't take another "Help".

I've played through 4 probably at least the same number of times as RE3. Its combat system was ok, though once you learn the ways of the knife the game is a little too easy. Replayability it had and didn't have, 2 had its secrets to unlock, 3 had the costumes and epilogues for completing a game but 4 at least let you keep your inventory, which I always like when a game does that. Means your 2nd play through is a fun run. Though to be fair, I enjoyed Remake and only played it through 3 times. Played 0 through twice. Played FF7 through at least 12 times.

Its far from what Resident Evil should be. If it didn't have Resident Evil in the title then there probably wouldn't be so much hostility towards it.
That and where are the zombies? Well to be fair the ganados (and Majini) are zombies and our beloved "zombies" are ghouls. I blame whoever dubbed George A. Romero's living dead "zombies" for RE4's problems.

If they did go back to some kind of amalgamation of 4's combat/weapons upgrading and original's puzzles/camera angles I'd be a happy man. I do like the stun and bash combat system but it should only really work on one enemy. Though Dead Space had a kind of similar combat style and I enjoyed my first play through then got bored at chapter 8 on my second play through. Its all courses for horses.

I do miss the good old days of RE.

[Archelon]

Resi 4 was a great game. Give credit where it's due. Appalling Resident Evil game, Ashley was an annoying bint, and the story REALLY has nothing to do with the Resident Evil universe at all, but it's a really fun game with an enjoyable control system, a good shoot-em-up and I really enjoy playing it. And I've been a fan of Resident Evil since the very first RE game came out.

See, I think Resident Evil 4 was an excellent Resident Evil game, and a natural progression for the series if one considers just how action-oriented RE3 actually was. It really is a sequel to RE3 (yes, I know, it's RE4, but I'm sure you know what I mean) and not, say, CODE: Veronica. I think part of the problem is that Capcom released CODE: Veronica, REmake, and RE0 between 3 and 4, and none of those games were nearly as action packed as 3 was.

As for the story, I won't go into it too much, as I've outlined my thoughts regarding the game and the story many times before. I will say, however, that I went into the game expecting there to be literally no ties to the previous games whatsoever, save for Leon and Ada being there. So the fact that they even mentioned Wesker (I actually squealed when Leon said, "You, working with Wesker," though I'm a bit ashamed to admit that) let alone showed him, made me happy. I guess I'm just more easily pleased than most.

I also think why the story worked, for me anyway, whereas the stories in, say, CODE: Veronica and Zero fell flat, was because, while all three games probably have the most ridiculous stories in the main series, 4 didn't take itself too seriously. Zero and CODE: Veronica tried to be serious, and it just didn't work. CODE: Veronica, in particular, was melodrama at its worst. 4 at least had some fun with it.

That's actually one of the things I'm worried about with 5, that it's going to take itself a little too seriously. Like I said, I'm more easily pleased than most when it comes to this stuff, and I don't expect much more than B-movie cheese from RE storylines, and that's exactly what 4 was. So I was fine with it.

Alas, it would appear I've written much more than I initially intended, but ah well. It happens.

Now all that's left is to wait for my opinion to be torn apart by the RE4 Assault Force.

[Henry Spencer]

Every game in the series has had that. Every damn one. It's a staple of the series. So I don't see that as a valid complaint.

Like I said in my other post, I don't know what is worse, the dialogue trying to be funny and failing (RE4), or the dialogue trying to be serious and failing (old RE). Take your pick, both are bad.

[Bertha]

See, I think Resident Evil 4 was an excellent Resident Evil game, and a natural progression for the series if one considers just how action-oriented RE3 actually was. It really is a sequel to RE3 (yes, I know, it's RE4, but I'm sure you know what I mean) and not, say, CODE: Veronica. I think part of the problem is that Capcom released CODE: Veronica, REmake, and RE0 between 3 and 4, and none of those games were nearly as action packed as 3 was.

As for the story, I won't go into it too much, as I've outlined my thoughts regarding the game and the story many times before. I will say, however, that I went into the game expecting there to be literally no ties to the previous games whatsoever, save for Leon and Ada being there. So the fact that they even mentioned Wesker (I actually squealed when Leon said, "You, working with Wesker," though I'm a bit ashamed to admit that) let alone showed him, made me happy. I guess I'm just more easily pleased than most.

I also think why the story worked, for me anyway, whereas the stories in, say, CODE: Veronica and Zero fell flat, was because, while all three games probably have the most ridiculous stories in the main series, 4 didn't take itself too seriously. Zero and CODE: Veronica tried to be serious, and it just didn't work. CODE: Veronica, in particular, was melodrama at its worst. 4 at least had some fun with it.

That's actually one of the things I'm worried about with 5, that it's going to take itself a little too seriously. Like I said, I'm more easily pleased than most when it comes to this stuff, and I don't expect much more than B-movie cheese from RE storylines, and that's exactly what 4 was. So I was fine with it.

The only thing I'd disagree with you on this was the story, or at least Leon's bit. The saving the president's daughter thing just seemed out of place, and I think I remember reading an interview that said even the staff working on the game thought it was weak. Other than that, it was a very good game. It showed that time and obviously research were not standing still in the RE universe. People act like parasites were something completely new to the series, but if I remember correctly, wasn't Nemesis created in such a manner?

Aside from the story I think most people just hated Leon. He wasn't the hero they wanted him to be. There is no such thing as a perfect hero. Yeah...Leon was a bit lame, but he seems to be very popular in Japan.

I guess people also dislike Ashley...but she was probably one of the most normal characters in the game. She was kidnapped and taken from everything in the world that she knew, she had a vague idea that they had done something to her, and all of a sudden people start sprouting things from their heads and hudge trolls and monsters start trying to kill her. Small wonder a defenseless girl with no training at all or knowledge of the situation was scared. I would be too. And even if Ashley was given a weapon...people would start bitching about it.

Fact of the matter is...people are going to complain, and others will counter their opinions with their own. You're going to be in a deadlock because I doubt you'll ever change anyone's mind. If someone says they hate RE4, anything to convince them probably wont work. Has it lost its charm? Play, watch, do something long enough and it probably is going to happen at some point.

[Archelon]

I'm not trying to change anyone's opinions. I'm just really tired of all the RE4 bitching threads. I debated even coming into this thread, because I knew it would be like this. I guess I'm just a glutton for punishment.

[Bertha]

I'm not trying to change anyone's opinions. I'm just really tired of all the RE4 bitching threads. I debated even coming into this thread, because I knew it would be like this. I guess I'm just a glutton for punishment.

Don't worry...I knew you weren't trying to. I've just noticed a lot more that people tend to become more hostile when there are differences of opinion...as if they think the opposing person is trying to change them. There's no point in even discussing if everyone agrees on the exact same things all the time.

[Vector]

I really, really liked Leon in RE2. He was a rookie cop in a city infested with zombies, and he kicked some ass...but he was believable at the same time. Leaving out the ridiculous 'love story' between him and Ada, he was one of my favorite characters. Even in RE4, he was pretty cool...but the goddamn one-liners really ruined him for me. Some of the shit he says(and does) in that game still boggles my mind(much like the Chris/Jill Cirque du Soleil Laser Room scene in Umbrella Chronicles, but that's another story). I don't know whose idea it was to turn RE4 Leon into some Jean-Claude Van Damme/Dane Cook hybrid, but I didn't feel that same feeling of accomplishment when I beat the game...and it was due to him. I didn't enjoy playing as a guy who came off as a giant tool.

In Degeneration, he was even worse. I only watched the movie once, but I remember the feeling after I watched it...he had more stupid, off-color and out-of-place one-liners than ever, and it really took a lot away from the movie.


TL;DR: Leon isn't as horrendous as some people make him out to be, but I don't like him like I used to.

[mamock116]

my fav part was the village. ashley was so annoying it kinda made the rest of the game less fun. i still enjoyed the whole game though. i played it on the ps2 is it worth buying for the wii?

[Mr. Kennedy]

See, it had the opposite effect on me. I liked Leon so much more after RE4.

[Jormungandr]

I couldn't count how many times I've played RE4... Definitely one of my favourite games.

[Skunky]

Has RE4 lost it's charm for anyone else?

Nah, not me...

IMO RE4 is still one charming, Sexy Bitch!

[valentinesdead?]

RE4 sure is controversal among old school RE-fans(without even saying so), so I guess I'll add a line or two to this debate.

I came into the series by watching one of my cousins play the Clarie A sernario of RE2 on the N64 when I was a kid(I was in awe to say the least, lol), but the what got me into the series(and RE sharing the same kind of love I have for the Metal Gear Solid Series) was Code Vernoica, so I can't say I was there from the beginiing, but I"m certianly not a "OMG RE4 is SO AZWOMEZE" crowd. I have a apperication for the old games and their style of play. I would still play RE if it were still the same formulic, zombie puzzle solver because what I loved about it was its sense of engrossment and atmosphere and story.

Having said that. .. .

RE4 is my favorite resident evil game, period(followed by the Remake). The game is, as a couple others have said, a absolute masterpiece of design. I'd say the best action game of all time. Granted, yeah, the story and script really havne't aged well at all. Hell, just recently re-watching some of the cutscenes, its kinda embrassasing to say the least. Almost reallly a paper-thin plot, and villians that don't really do anything to endanger our heros(i.e., Saddler basically just letting Leon roam around free trying to stop his plans). Voice acting was really good, but a bad script still a cliche script is still just a cliche script. But I'd still say the game still retained the RE atmosphere, even wtih all the shooting. But even besides that--RE4 was/is so much fun. I think I"ve played through it about 14 times total on the gamecube, ps2, and the wii. Though I tried recently to re-play 4 on the Ps2--its simply unbearable. Crappy graphics, crappy compressed sound. The ps2 controller sucks so much. You can't aim worth anything on it. (so funny how well RE5 plays on a ps3 controller eh?).

Like Alexia mentioned, RE4 on the wii really adds more value to the game. Hell, the wii stick really makes it feel RE4 was designed around the wii from the start. (Hell Capcom, hint hint, make a RE2/RE3 RE4 sytle remake for the wii). Even though you can snipe with the pistol(Which is kind of a fun little thing had you already played the game many times before), its really the definiite edition of RE4, and the day I get a wii, I will most certainly buy RE4 for it.

But all in all, Resident Evil is Resident Evil, but really, the gameplay style in 4 is really my personal perference. How much I've played the RE5 demo can attest to that, but what I think is the real killer thing that will top RE5 over RE4 is the story. Just from the two previously released trailers, Capcom seems to actually be taking the story serioulsy this time, not to mention, there may not be a single cheesy line in there.

I think I"ll die laughing if we get lines from Wesker such as "Oh Chris, come see my hook" or "Now that the cat dragged in this nice surprise." lol(both hideous lines from CVX). But the story is what truly exciites me about RE5. This time, maybe Capcom has gotten it right like they haven't gotten any RE stories right--except for the remake, which I thought was really solid in the voice acting and writing. Capcom always has great concepts for stories, but boy, some of their executions don't really pan out, but if the preivoulsy two trailers they've released are any indication, RE fans are in for a hell of a ride.


It's almost like a thank-you note for giving us an almost pointless story in 4, besides introducing the concept of the parasites, which, if you think about it, 4 parraels the first in in simply being about a simple concept and setting(mansion and t virus, spain and parasites). Though, hopefully RE5 will be akin to RE2 in the "history repeats itself cycle. Cheers to that.

[Archelon]

there may not be a single cheesy line in there.

"Splendid timing! Yous two are just in time for the fireworks show! BOOOOM!"

[Stars1356]

I will admit that when I first played RE 4 I was excited. It was a change that was needed to the series and felt it might be the best RE yet. While I was playing the game I was always thinking "when are they going to reveal more of the story. When is there going to be a swerve or suprise." Then when Krasuer says his " All for Umbrella" line I was so disappointed. I think I replayed this game maybe three times but I can say the same about CVX and 0. Maybe its cause I'm getting older but none of these games do it for me. Although I have played Remake, DS and Outbreak many times and working of File 2 currently. I guess ridculous or thin stories just aren't for me.

I have a feeling that RE 5 might go the route of RE 4 and be very linear but hope there is amazing story and that draws people back. I know some people have been critcal of the CO-OP play but I think in the long run it will give the game more value and replayability.