Resident Evil 4

Simply put, Resident Evil 4 is a landmark video game, no matter what system you play it on... Truly brilliant. [Nov 2005, p.158]

The thing that makes RE4 so much fun is that the developers took a cue from modern zombie films, eschewing the clichéd shuffling zombie in favor of savvier, more intelligent opponents.

Quite simply, the ideal sequel: The developers have managed to not only bolster and dramatically improve the good qualities of an RE title, but also completely drain out the bad aspects of the RE franchise. It's a perfectly executed reinvention of a stagnating franchise. [Dec 2005, p.128]

Clocking in at over 25 hours of gameplay (if you've never played before), RE4 never once bogs down in rehash or mindless repetition, managing to keep the pace on "alert" from start to finish which is a most impressive feat considering most two hour movies can't sustain that level of suspense.

Anyone who doesn't own a GameCube, however, would be smoking crack rocks the size of my fist not to buy this game. At forty dollars, it is worth every penny, and given the quality of the translation to the aged hardware of the PlayStation 2, is absolutely one of the best games on the system.

As a whole, ["Separate Ways" is] an excellent bonus that features far too much content and gameplay to be considered gimmicky or tacked on.

It’s the best game you’ll play on this generation’s console platforms, I don’t think there’s anything else left to say.

It is by far the best single player action experience you are going to find on the PS2 this year - and the best Resident Evil game since "Resident Evil 2."

So while only the most die-hard fans should re-open their wounded wallet a second time, anyone who missed it owes it to themselves to play one of the best games of this generation.

This is not just the best survival horror game yet; it's one of the best games of this generation. Every aspect of the game shines.

Simply put, Resident Evil 4 is the tightest, most accessible game in the series and one of the best games out there.

All the style of the series so far plus a maelstrom of new shocks, twists and challenges makes this the best survival horror game ever. [Nov 2006, p.104]

The highest compliment I can pay to the already highly lauded Resident Evil 4 is this: it makes all other games in its genre seem utterly pointless.

A phenomenal game. It has put the thrill back into the survival horror genre.

The controls are brilliant, the presentation is spot-on, and the game is without a doubt one of the most entertaining titles to be released this year.

As close as a game has ever come to being flawless. A sublime exercise in action gaming that'll blow your mind. This is why you play videogames. [PSM2]

Every moment spent in the game world, from the ramshackle village to the far-from-abandoned military installation, is pure, adrenaline-fuelled fun. The game doesn't want to be big or clever - it wants to take you on a roller-coaster ride that leaves you breathless. And it does.

It's simply one of the most intense and exciting action/adventure games in years, regardless of hardware.

It's easily one of the top 10 PlayStation 2 games you can lay your hands on. For me, it's probably one of my top 10 games of all-time. There's so much to enjoy, and even though PS2's visuals aren't quite as good as they were on GCN, my jaw still drops at the art design and how immersive the worlds are.

This is the single best survival horror game ever made, besting even the Silent Hill series in raw visceral thrills. It’s not nearly as scary, but it makes up for it with an incredible story, tons of replay value, and a game length that’s uncharacteristically stretched for the series.

The graphics are beautiful, the monsters are unreal, and the gameplay is the most action-packed a survival/horror game has ever been.

From 30-foot-tall bosses down to the tiny embroidery on Ada's dress, the overall design and attention to detail is among the best in any game. Which really could be said for almost every aspect of RE4-don't miss this game.

You'll need to bring your A game, as this is unapologetically difficult, but you'll be rewarded for your effort with one of the most polished shooters of this console generation.

One of the most intense and exciting game for the PS2 in ages.

While the GC version is superior in key areas, RE4 is still an absolutely fantastic game and arguably this generation’s finest.

The game itself will last you more than 20 hours, and with the extra content and hidden extras, you'd be doing yourself a big favor if you went out and bought the game as soon as possible.

An amazing achievement in a variety of ways: Its inspired, state-of-the-art cinematic presentation works extremely well with its relentlessly exciting, white-knuckle action, all of which is wrapped up in a decidedly lengthy adventure chock-full of hidden secrets and bonus extras.

The PS2 version has slightly uglier graphics and slight framerate issues, but the horror adventure itself is just as good as it was on the Cube. [Dec 2005]

The combat gameplay is unrivaled, especially during some of the very creative boss battles. It's also the longest Resident Evil game yet, with 25 - 30 hours of gameplay on two discs along with a ton of unlockables that will make you want to do it all over again.

And most uniquely of all, the single-player-only game easily packs in around 30 hours of gameplay, making it extremely good value for money.

Capcom turned the venerable but stagnant series around with Evil 4 [Nov p.72]

While the controls can get a tad touchy and the visuals aren't quite as crisp as they once were, any gamer in the know deserves to check this game out. It's just that good.

If you want to admire the game's beauty, you'd best watch a friend play. After the shock, the gore and suspicious stains in our undergarments, we've only got one thing to say. Welcome back. [PSW]

There are points that the game could've looked a little smoother. But it's still a remarkable experience, and the bonus goodies (namely "Separate Ways") make this a must-own. Evil has never been this good.

If the idea of 20 hours of palpitating living nightmares sounds like your idea of fun, then you have no choice but to part with your cash immediately. If only all videogames were this brilliant.

Capcom have achieved that great feat of managing to shed off the problems of the past without forgetting how they came to be here and the result is not only a joy to play but, compared to previous titles, is almost epic in length and introduces extra missions and weapons after the first time through that enhance the replay value even further.