In 2005, Resident Evil 4 didn’t just reinvent a franchise—it reshaped an entire genre. What began as a troubled development cycle turned into one of the most influential games ever made. It ditched the fixed camera angles and tank controls of the past, introduced a revolutionary over-the-shoulder perspective, and seamlessly blended survival horror with kinetic action.

Nearly two decades later, it’s still a masterclass in pacing, tension, and pure, chaotic fun.

You are Leon S. Kennedy, now a U.S. government agent, sent to rural Spain to rescue the president’s daughter, Ashley Graham. What follows is a descent into madness, featuring parasitic cults, chainsaw maniacs, ancient castles, and one-liners so cheesy they’ve become iconic.

The plot is simple but unforgettable—elevated by its characters (Luis, Ada, Salazar, and the incomparable merchant), over-the-top villains, and a tone that walks a tightrope between horror and camp with confidence.

Resident Evil 4’s biggest innovation was its third-person, over-the-shoulder camera—a now-standard design choice in modern action games. It gave players precise control, allowing for tight, satisfying gunplay while retaining a deliberate sense of vulnerability.

Combat is strategic and tactile. Enemies react to where you shoot—kneecap a ganado to set up a suplex or blast a parasite-ridden head for maximum tension. You’re always making micro-decisions under pressure, especially as ammo and herbs stay limited enough to keep you sweating.

The game constantly reinvents itself with unforgettable set pieces: defending a cabin alongside Luis, dodging lasers in a trap-filled hallway, or battling a lake monster with harpoons. It’s relentlessly creative and never drags.

Capcom nails the mood. The opening village assault sets the tone immediately: you're outnumbered, outgunned, and alone. From there, the environments evolve—eerie farmland, medieval castles, creepy laboratories—all drenched in atmosphere and full of tension.

The sound design is subtle but effective: distant chainsaws, guttural enemy chants, and oppressive silence in just the right places. Graphically, it pushed the GameCube to its limits, and while it's not cutting-edge today, the art direction has aged surprisingly well.

There’s a lot to do after finishing the story. Mercenaries mode is a high-score arcade blast, Assignment Ada and Separate Ways add more story and perspective, and New Game+ lets you blast through with upgraded gear. Add in unlockables like the Chicago Typewriter or infinite rocket launcher, and you've got dozens of hours of replay potential.

And of course… "What're ya buyin’?" The Merchant’s shop, upgrade system, and inventory management (a.k.a. Tetris with guns) are satisfying in their own right.

It’s no exaggeration to say Resident Evil 4 influenced everything from Gears of War to Dead Space to The Last of Us. It was the moment Capcom proved that horror could evolve without losing its soul—and it set a new gold standard for game design.

Even after a critically acclaimed 2023 remake, the 2005 original remains a must-play. In many ways, it still feels ahead of its time.

Resident Evil 4 (2005) is lightning in a bottle—a rare blend of innovation, polish, and pure entertainment. It balances intense horror with crowd-pleasing action and never lets up. Whether you’re revisiting it or playing for the first time, it remains an unforgettable ride.

A genre-defining classic that’s just as fun, freaky, and fresh today as it was in 2005.

Pros:
-Revolutionary third-person gameplay
-Tight pacing and unforgettable set pieces
-Incredible atmosphere and enemy variety
-Tons of replay value and unlockables
-"Where's everyone going? Bingo?"

Cons:
-Ashley’s AI can be frustrating
-Occasional clunky QTEs
-Some story moments are pure nonsense (but i love it)

Rating: 9/10

on se kova

Finally got all the achivements This game is a masterpiece i first played this on the original PlayStation 2 This game is easily top 5 video games of all time the atmosphere, the music, the enemy variety, and also the replayability is insane. also 3 new game modes after beating the campaign and unlockable costumes!. 10/10