Resident Evil 4 [PS2]

GameCube owners have spent the last nine months enjoying Resident Evil 4, while the rest of the games-playing public has waited eagerly for the anticipated PlayStation 2 release. That wait is finally over, as the latest installment in Capcom's seminal horror series has finally come home to roost. While Capcom did add a bunch of nifty extra content to the PlayStation 2 version of the game, it failed to address the control issues plaguing the title. The end result is a game that's still enjoyable and atmospheric, but not revolutionary.

Viewed by the developers as a chance to take the series in a new direction, Resident Evil 4 bucks its own conventions and moves away from the traditional survival-horror genre, landing squarely in the action gaming territory. For the most part, the changes are a welcome improvement, but not everything is perfect as the game does take a few missteps.

Perhaps the most noticeable change is the visual style. Gone are the pre-rendered backgrounds and the fixed camera angles. In its place is a fully 3D engine that can only be described as gorgeous. Facial details are the most impressive, leaving you with a sense of what your assailants are thinking. When the port was first announced, there were some fears that the PlayStation 2 hardware wouldn't be able to replicate the quality of the GameCube visuals, but rest assured, nothing has been lost in the translation.

Unfortunately, the gameplay didn't make quite as big a leap as the graphics engine, and the result is a very linear play experience. Yes, you can wander around the world, but you can't really explore freely. When poking around the environment, you can only touch what the developers want you to touch. In many ways, it feels as if the level designers couldn't wrap their heads around a 3D world and fell back on old habits, creating the world as if it were still pre-rendered. It makes you acutely aware of the game's limitations.

Pacing has also been tweaked. Long a Resident Evil mainstay, the puzzle-solving element now takes a back seat to the action. You spend much of your time either running for your life or in the heat of battle -- sneaking around and trying to avoid an encounter usually isn't an option.

Character design is impressive, with the monsters showing a great amount of detail; however, nothing here is really disturbing. Playing through the older games would often leave you wondering exactly what nightmares befell the poor souls working in the art department. Here, the creatures look as if they've stepped out of a glossy movie. Yes, that ogre from Lord of the Rings looks cool, but he's not going to keep you up at night.

The control system has long been controversial with the Resident Evil series, and although it's improved in this version, it's still cumbersome. Rather than creating a new system to go with the new engine, the developers tried to shoehorn the classic control scheme into the new game. The lead character turns incredibly slowly, he cannot strafe around a corner, and you cannot move when your weapon is raised. In an odd turn of events, the developers seemed to have realized that the slow turning speed was a problem so they implanted a "quick turn" button that spins you around 180 degrees. It's bizarre that you can turn around quicker than turning a corner.

Whereas these limitations were easier to forgive on the GameCube with its smaller game library, PlayStation 2 owners have their pick of action games that have mastered the art of 3D movement and level design.

Helping the game to stand out is all the extra content that Capcom has packed into this release. Most notably is the addition of "Separate Ways," a complete side story that covers the exploits of the mysterious Ada Wong. Separate Ways is no mere bonus level, but a fully developed mission in and of itself. It runs concurrently to the main game, and answers a number of questions about the events that befall the main character, while at the same time introducing a few more. In addition to this, the game also features new costumes to unlock as well as a brand, spanking new gun.

Resident Evil 4 isn't perfect, but it's one hell of a ride and a very worthy addition to the series. The frustration with the controls can be forgiven whenever you think of moments like barricading yourself inside a cabin for the first time in an attempt to fend off an advancing mob. Playing with the location-based damage and reveling in the authentic animations and attention to detail also help. Resident Evil 4 is a must-buy for fans of the series and a great introduction for those who have never faced the evil.