Resident Evil 4 is currently only on the GameCube, but it is coming to the Playstation 2 in July. I originally was not interested in this game and only bought it because I'd heard some good things and wanted to see everything for myself. I'd never played a Resident Evil game before this (or a survival horror game for that matter), so this game is kind of introducing me to the series.

This game is rated M for Mature.

This game is said by many to "redefine" the entire survival horror genre, a genre which the whole series virtually created on its own with a few others like Sweet Home and Silent Hill. Does Resident Evil 4 do as promised or fall short? We'll see. This game is rated on a scale of five, like usual.

Graphics: 5

Have you seen these graphics?! Unbelieveable! If a game like Deception got a 6 (which was perfect in its Review) then this should get 15! Unfortunately going over the scale probably shouldn't be done. Anyway, Resident Evil 4 is one of the best looking games to date, if not THE best.

Sound: 5

The sound of this game is incredible! Every gunshot will make you think someone just shot you, every vehicle starting'll probably cause you to look out your window to see if anyone's pulling out of your driveway, every- you get my point. Everything sounds as good as it looks.

Length: 5

This game's very long, yet keeps itself fresh throughout. The game will take at least 15 hours to get through, the kind of length typically reserved for RPGs and other lengthy genres. Needless to say, you won't be beating this in one sitting.

Gameplay: 5

At first the idea of holding down R while pressing A to shoot a bullet may sound a bit complicated but it actually feels very natural after a few minutes. Every puzzle plays out in a unique manner and everything seems to have a purpose. The interactive cutscenes add to the game's suspenseful feel. What do I mean by interactive cutscenes, you ask? Well, let's just say that during that cutscene where you're tied up and the guy's swinging his axe at you, keep your hands on the controller.

Characters: 5

All of the characters are unique and it is hard to hate any of them. Bitores Mendez, the village chief, will freak you out and intrigue you at the same time. Leon himself is a very cool guy (though his sense of humor could use some work; that right hand joke he makes isn't funny in the slightest). Though the idea of escorting Ashley through most of the game sounds like it could ruin the game, she is surprisingly intelligent and will often help you out in the trickiest of puzzles. She also is a great character personality-wise too. And you can't hope but like Luis.

Environments: 5

Each area you go to feels radically different but at the same time it doesn't feel like you've just left one world and appeared in another. Every environment contains its own unique feel but keeps the same frightening overall feel of the game. The only places you'll ever feel same at is one of the rooms with a merchant... which is mainly because no enemies ever attack him, quite luckily as he dies in one hit.

Enemies: 5

Every enemy has its own special features to it. The basic Ganados are like the Goombas of this game: they're low on the food chain but you can even find them in the final area (though they are much rarer there). The advanced Las Plagas physically have no difference with the Ganados... until you shoot their heads off, in which case a huge scorpion-like thing will shoot out and begin stabbing you, taking about half of your energy (at the beginning of the game anyway; later they'll be doing the same amount but you'll have a lot more energy so they won't be as devestating). Then there are the Regenerators, the Comillos, the Novistadors, the Armadura, etc.

Bosses: 5

Almost all of the bosses have their own unique way of being beat. Bosses like El Gigante and the Blind Slasher (guess what his weakness is) gradually go from being bosses to standard enemies as the game progresses (though they stay just as powerful). Bosses like Verdugo and Del Lago, however, only appear once and are significantly harder than the more common bosses. Almost all of the bosses have their own personality and have several different strategies you can use, giving the bosses high replay value.

Replay Value: 5

The game feels different every time you play. There are multiple ways to get everything done in the game, and even new weapons and costumes that become available for use after your first time through the game.

Fun Factor!: 5

This game is incredibly enjoyable. You will never be bored with this game, including during cutscenes which, after a chapter or two in the game, you will start paying careful attention to to ensure that you make it through to the next one (surprisngly though there are hardly any interactive cuscenes, but you still don't know which ones they are).

Overall: 5

This game is perfect. Truely perfect. In fact, it doesn't just redefine its genre, it redefines gaming itself. I couldn't imagine a way to make it better. If you don't buy this game, your life is not worth living. Before January I didn't care for anything of Capcom's besides Street Fighter. With new games from them like Resident Evil 4 and Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap, however, Capcom is establishing itself as a force to be reckoned with in the gaming world.

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