The chances are that the first thing you did upon loading up this review was to take a gander at the scores I've bestowed upon Capcom's latest instalment, in a genre they arguably created. A perfect score all around? Surely it can't be - this title isn't even online! Can it possibly be this amazing? The answer is a very resounding YES!

I played the original Resident Evil games on the PlayStation when they were first released, in fact I vividly remember enjoying them with some mates over in the dark hours of the night. However, I never really considered the franchise one of my favourites and was not nearly as big a fan of it as, say, AceGamez' Geoff Holland. For this reason I didn't really pay attention to the hype going into Resident Evil 4, taking little notice of the Gamecube remakes and re-releases, or the original title Resident Evil Zero. I went into Resident Evil 4 with no idea of what to expect and I have come out with the memories of one of the greatest gaming experiences I've ever had.

As soon as you start up the game and enjoy one of the highest quality cinematic scenes you'll find in gaming, you'll probably be in awe for a number of reasons. The game looks just as good, if not better, than many Xbox titles out there and surpasses anything the Gamecube has put out in the past. When you first take control of Leon, the hero of the piece, the atmosphere really stands out; what awaits down the first path of the game, surrounded by a huge forest full of bear traps and trip mines? The air is chilly, the ground is cold and there is a great feeling of uneasiness, partly because of the environment and partly because this is Resident Evil and you know you're in for a wild ride.

As you approach the first manmade structure in the game, you probably won't know what to expect. The game does a good job of getting you tense, by teasing you with a short cinematic of a man glaring out at you. Inside awaits your first encounter with the new enemies of Resident Evil. They aren't zombies, but something is most certainly not right about them... As you progress, however, this feeling of fear tends to level off considerably due to numerous reasons I will get into later.

As I just mentioned, Resident Evil 4 has done away with zombies, finally, and has also done away with the whole Umbrella Corporation (but has not forgotten about the past, as numerous references are made to it.) You play Leon S. Kennedy, who you may remember from Resident Evil 2 and probably will not remember from Resident Evil Gaiden. Now an American special agent, he is sent to investigate the disappearance of the president's daughter, Ashley. Though there are a couple of possible locations, Leon is sent to the site of her last suspected sighting, which seems to be in the middle of absolutely nowhere. Much more is going on that what meets the eye and if you're worrying about RE abandoning its gore filled, tentacle growing, bloody disgusting roots, don't. Plenty of surprises and twists await you within the excellent story and amazing cinematics, which rival even Metal Gear Solid.

Resident Evil 4 evolves the series to brand new heights, giving it a much-needed change in numerous departments. Obviously the story has been changed, abandoning almost everything Resident Evil has been known for story-wise, except the characters; but the gameplay itself has been revolutionised, to the extent that this is the game that sets the standard for action gaming from here onwards. This is the game that all the Resident Evil releases on the Gamecube have been leading up to.

First of all, the camera has finally been completely redone. Instead of each room having a different, usually stationary, camera angle, the view always follows Leon from a third person perspective, or when aiming, an over the shoulder view. The C-Stick adjusts it slightly, but only slightly. Usually if there is something above or below you that you need to look at, the game tilts the camera slightly in that direction, but not to the point that it disorientates the player.

Resident Evil 4 also allows you to freely aim your gun from a beautiful over-the-shoulder view when holding the R trigger. I'm just going to get it out right now: this is perhaps the best gun system I have ever used. There are so many reasons why; every gun has a laser sight, instead of a bothersome floating crosshair in the middle of the screen; the guns all feel completely different and authentic, plus the reload animations are some of the best I have ever seen; reloading is actually FUN! It makes battles tenser, it looks great and there's nothing like trying to reload only to realise you're out of bullets. The first time I fired the standard rifle I was in awe. Each shot released a shell that flips through the air as Leon prepares the gun for another shot and after emptying all the bullets, the animation for reloading it simply blew me away, due to the incredible detail.

All the guns have an incredible impact and all the enemies are loaded with hit-specific zones; if you shoot an enemy in the leg, he falls to his knee; if he is running and you shoot his leg, he falls flat on his face; if you see an enemy charging at you carrying a weapon and you fire a few shots at his arm, he drops it. So much strategy is needed when being attacked by numerous enemies, especially if you're limited to a less powerful gun. Who should you shoot in the leg, the arm, or the head? Maybe the torso? A lot of quick thinking is needed and quick trigger fingers too. Don't worry about ammo with your guns, either. Unlike previous Resident Evil titles where Capcom was waiting with a sinister grin for you to run out of ammo, here they practically shove it down your throat. Ammo awaits you in almost every cabinet, every drawer, plus enemies drop it by the boatload and even shooting animals usually leaves you ammo.

One thing about Resident Evil 4 that will really throw a lot of players off their game is the fact that Leon cannot sidestep. In fact, he cannot walk at all while aiming his gun and at first this seems like both a huge disadvantage and a big mistake. However, upon playing more you'll come to realise how much suspense this adds to the game, which it really does need. First, you have to find a good spot to fire from and as the enemies continuously approach you, you'll start to second guess yourself and wonder if you can take down the villains before they reach you. If they do get to you, you have to quickly stop aiming, turn around and make a mad dash for it to find a better spot to fire from. Sidestepping may have been a welcome addition that wouldn't have taken away from the stress level, but you'll get used to it sooner rather than later. I should also make note that as great as the location-specific areas are, when wielding heavy firearms like a shotgun or Broken Butterfly revolver, these zones mean absolutely nothing, because wherever you shoot the enemy, the shot completely obliterates them.

All these changes to the system make Resident Evil feel a bit different and certainly more action oriented, but it really makes for a better game. Veterans of RE should worry not, as there is a perfect balance of new and familiar elements, with the more tedious aspects of RE removed. For instance, the puzzles are nowhere near as challenging as in the past but it at least helps keep the game moving. There are still some instances where you'll have to go find a couple of keys to combine for use in a door of some sort, but the back tracking isn't bad at all and the game is so amazingly fun you won't care if you have to go back and forth a few times. Leon really controls more like an actual human now and not a toy swivelling back and forth; in fact, one thing that kept me coming back was just the great feeling of controlling Leon. He feels like a true special agent from the way he runs with his gun to how he aims and fires, plus he can do a variety of new things, which include kicking nearby enemies, leaping off rooftops, attacking with his knife and even suplexing dazed foes, shattering their head on impact!

Inventory management has always been very important to Resident Evil and it still is, but it's thankfully not nearly as strict. The inventory screen is set up to look like a carrying case and has vertical and horizontal lines going through it, forming a grid. Each item in your inventory takes up a specific amount of squares on the grid and each item can be rotated and placed anywhere inside your case. It really is great to find a large item you'd really like to keep, for instance a huge fish for health, then arrange your items in the case so it can fit in just right. This is plain brilliant and the case can be replaced by a larger one by purchasing a new one from the ever-present merchant.

This mysterious merchant is found in almost every zone of Resident Evil 4 and you really shouldn't question how he gets to these areas before you do, because there is no explanation; it's just something accepted. This guy sells a variety of guns, will buy valuable items or just about anything from you and can tune up and upgrade your guns to make them more powerful, give them more ammo capacity, as well as increase the reload and firing speeds. For me, this merchant always became a sign of safety - he was never nearby any enemies and almost always near a save point (which are almost always accompanied by a very soothing and safe feeling music track.)

The save points are represented by typewriters and the presentation for saving and loading is fantastic, with the music during these actions being so great that it will stick with me for quite some time. It just gives you a feeling of comfort for a brief period where you know you can rest safely without some creeping villain coming at you.

And these enemies are creepy, not just from how they look, but how they act. There is really no hiding from them any more; if they're around then they will find you. You can climb a ladder and then push it down to the ground while you wait somewhere high, but they will put it back up and climb up after you. Some enemies find ways to attack you even while they're knocked out on the ground and some will surprise you with their weapon abilities. I once felt safe because I was a good distance away from the villains, when suddenly one of them threw a hatchet right at my face, impaling me. Creeps with bags on their heads barge into rooms with a chainsaw, attempting to decapitate you with one swift swipe. Though there are some issues with their AI, mainly their response times to when you first show up, overall they're extremely impressive and will constantly surprise you with new abilities until the very end of the game.

Resident Evil 4 is full of gameplay moments that will almost certainly stick with you for a long, long time; in fact the first boss encounter in this game ranks up near the top of the list of my fondest gaming memories. Unlike a lot of games where I dread boring boss fights, I welcomed the ones here. I once died because I looked up at a giant boss-creature in awe of the detail and expressions on his face: he looked absolutely incredible, until he crushed me with his fist. The cinematics in RE4 are seamless and come up with no loading times at all; in fact. most of the game is this way except for switching between zones here and there, which takes very little time. Not only are the cut-scenes perfectly directed and engaging, but also interactive, with quick Shenmue style button commands that can really catch you off guard and result in a quick death. The whole story is incredibly engaging and full of memorable moments that make up for the linear feel of the game 100%. Every chapter has at least one unique moment different from any other part of the game and though they aren't particularly challenging, they're all loads of fun.

This is one part of Resident Evil 4 that might put some gamers off. The game is surprisingly easy most of the time and even the hardest boss fights can be won easily, assuming you prepared yourself with the right equipment beforehand. A lot of powerful weapons have to be paid for at large prices but currency is so incredibly easy to come by that it should never be a problem. Even the scare-factor and tense feeling that Resident Evil is known for seems to vanish around the midway point, mainly for two reasons. First, as I mentioned, even if a monster suddenly comes out and scares you, it probably won't be too much trouble to take down. Secondly, whenever you are killed, you restart in an area that is usually very close to where you died, which really kills any reasoning to take it slowly and cautiously. It's nice that you don't have to constantly restart from way back in a level, but it also only makes the game's challenge level go down even more.

Finally, throughout your adventure you'll have to lead a partner around specific areas, which leads to all new and different possibilities. You'll have to help them out a lot, as well as keep them safe and thankfully the AI of your companions isn't too shabby at all; in fact, I was quite impressed. If you aim your gun in their general direction they duck under your gunfire, making it difficult to kill a friendly. Resident Evil 4's gameplay surprised me in so many departments and even though it doesn't take the crown of scariest game ever from a game like Fatal Frame 2 or Eternal Darkness, it can easily steal the crown of best survival horror game ever and it only seems right, as it comes from the developers who created the genre.

Back when a video of some flowing cloth was revealed, everybody knew that Resident Evil 4 was going to look absolutely stunning. This title pushes the Gamecube to the max, surpassing anything ever seen on the console, pushing beyond every PS2 game out there and a good majority of Xbox titles as well. In fact, there is so much content in the game and it looks so incredibly good that it is spread out onto two discs, something rarely seen after the PSOne retired. You'll travel to many different locations, each of which will astonish you and immerse you into the game even more. From calm, serene water in a huge lake with fog gently flowing above it to ancient, sand filled-ruins to a deep verdant jungle, every location you visit looks the best that it can. However you do travel between these areas rather quickly and seamlessly, so much so that you'll probably forget how you managed to get from a lake nestled outside a forest to a huge castle.

RE4's character designs are truly impressive, from Leon and his supporting characters to all the villains, including both the lead enemies and the look-a-likes you'll constantly run into throughout the game. Their designs, back-stories and attacks are all superbly crafted. However, there is one particular villain crucial to the story that I am not fond of at all... I won't explain why, or who he is here, but you'll probably know him once you see him. The animations throughout the game are just as impressive as everything else, especially, but not limited to, the reloading of your weapons. The way Leon kicks, struggles to climb a ladder, dives out windows, jumps over barricades - it all looks great and the enemies reactions' to being shot could not possibly be any better.

Many picky players will be quick to point out clipping issues with the game; for instance, enemies and Leon himself often run through each other or briefly through other items and interaction with things lying around the environment is limited strictly to what you're supposed to shoot. The very first thing I tried to do in the game was slice a tree with my knife and I was shocked to see that Leon's hand actually went through the tree. I started to worry when this happened, but I completely forgot about it after being blown away by every single other aspect of the title.

Great graphics need to be accompanied by great sound. For me, having one is good, but having both is great. It seems like a lot of developers drop the ball with sound, failing to realise just how important it is to a gaming experience. Fortunately, Capcom is not one of these developers. Guns have incredible impact and Leon's footsteps as he runs along sometimes make you second guess if it is him or an enemy nearby, to the point where you may end up stopping a few times to make sure it is indeed your feet that you can hear! After a lot of time sprinting, Leon can be heard panting and enemies can be heard groaning from a distance. You'll find yourself stopping to make sure you heard right and start to slowly back up and look in every direction to see where the sounds are coming from.

The music here is often haunting and plays an important factor in letting you know when enemies are nearby. If you fire a round off in the middle of nowhere and suddenly creepy music starts to play, then be on guard. Likewise, after a long gunfight with multiple enemies you'll know when they're all cleared out, thanks to the music. However, for long battles, the haunting music can end up feeling a bit repetitive and maybe even irritating, though you certainly will not forget what it sounds like as soon as you turn off your console, something that can't be said about a lot of other games.

As I mentioned earlier, the music sometimes takes a turn in a different direction when you're in safe-zones (around a save point, usually), giving you a brief feeling of peace before you continue your blood drenched adventure. Walking into a room and hearing that music is really quite something and often a relief after a long battle.

I find it difficult to come up with and actually complain about problems in Resident Evil 4. Okay, there are issues with graphical clipping and some more interaction with scenery would have been nice. Sure, the music may get a bit tiresome in long battles, but at least it is memorable. The difficulty is not very high on the normal setting, but you can unlock a harder setting once you beat the game. The only real problem I can come up with worth really going on about is the issue of fear being almost absent throughout a lot of the game, offering only a couple of jump moments near the beginning of the title. None of these issues change the fact that Resident Evil 4 is simply a phenomenal action adventure game, with one of the best shooting systems I've ever seen and lots of hectic situations where you will doubtless find yourself on the edge of your seat.

A lot of single player, linear action games have a big problem and that is with replay value. Once you beat them, it's rare you'll want to play it again anytime soon. This game is an exception, which is surprising, because the game can easily take you 20 hours alone to beat the single player (I clocked in at about 18 hours and 30 minutes.) Once you beat the game, though, you'll still want to play it and it will most likely be largely due to the fun of running around shooting enemies. Capcom knows this and sticking to tradition had included lots of things for you once you beat the game, including things that make playing the story worth it again. There is also a brand new mode that puts you in the shoes of another character and shows you events that took place during your quest as Leon, plus a mode that does just what you probably want: lets you blow the crap out of hundreds of enemies in four different battle zones with up to five different characters and a variety of character specific weapons, lots of which you will not have used in the standard story mode.

Once you complete the game, the things you unlocked can easily add over 10-15 more hours of play to the game. It's rare that I still want to play a game after spending nearly 20 hours beating it, but here I am. Keep in mind that you probably won't even do everything you can on your first go around - you certainly won't upgrade all your weapons or buy everything in the shop, you probably won't take every path available and there will surely be rare items you left behind.

August of next year will mark the 10th anniversary of the original Resident Evil's release and it is about time the game was reinvented in the right way, after numerous embarrassing spin-offs. This instalment takes not only the RE series to new levels, but the survival horror and action/adventure genres as well. You may say I'm just caught in the moment of the game with all this praise, but I have beaten it. I have played the hell out of it even after beating it and experienced probably everything it has to offer. And I still can't express how much I love it and how much I want to revisit the world again. Capcom has stepped everything up and have given the competition the new game to imitate for the next few years - and that is a good thing. Resident Evil 4 shows us what all action games on next-generation consoles should have been like all along; the amount of detail in this game is staggering. This is, in my opinion, the best single player adventure to come along in a long, long time. Think about it; this game is linear, you almost always go along a straightforward path and it is rare that you find yourself confused about what to do next. In fact, most of the game is just shooting things! Now, imagine how damn great Resident Evil 4 must be to get as much praise as it has been under these circumstances. This game has started 2005 off with a blast and surely come the end of the year will feature on dozens of Best Games of 2005 lists.

Reviewed by Christopher Martin for AceGamez (All Rights Reserved).