You really can't overestimate just how good Resident Evil 4 is. Originally released two years ago on the Gamecube, with a great PS2 conversion and a somewhat shoddy PC conversion version not too far behind, it truly raised the bar for what could be achieved, not only in the survival horror genre, but for videogames as a whole. Its The combination of exemplary combat, unrivalled atmosphere, engaging, largely cliché free plot and absolutely first class production values came together in perfect harmony to create one of gaming's modern day masterpieces.

Two years is a long time in an industry that moves as quickly as the videogame market does though - but. Lluckily, lady Father Ttime has been kind to Resident Evil 4 and it still feels as fresh now as it did when it was first released. The game still looks great, with its cinematic wide screen format still feeling as ingenious today as it did then. It may have been emulated many times since, but as part of a complete audio-visual experience, it has yet to be matched.

Ok then, It's been two years since its it's the release of the original Resident Evil 4, so there must be an abundance of new features and content in this new Wii Edition - right.? Well, no, actually there isn't actually. In fact, Tthis is the same game that was released two years ago, along with the added PS2- exclusive side mission called 'Separate Ways', in which where you play as the spy Ada Wong, along plus with true 16:19 widescreen support. The main portion of the game still follows series favourite veteran Leon S. Kennedy as he travels to a rather unwelcoming Spanish village in search of the President's kidnapped daughter. And and guess what, it's still fantastic. The best games out there are always worth revisiting and Resident Evil 4 is no exception to that rule, new content or not.

For those who haven't already played Resident Evil 4 on the Gamecube, PS2 or PC, the game starts with secret agent Leon S. Kennedy arriving at a mysterious Spanish village after following a lead on the whereabouts of the President's kidnapped daughter. I know what you're thinking: cue the zombies. Actually no, there are no zombies to be found here, - only disgruntled and rather unfriendly villagers. As the search for the president's daughter continues and the rather excellent plot unfolds, you will also will run into troublesome members of a secret cult, your usual array of unwieldy creatures and some rather impressive boss battles. On your travels, you will You'll also come across some of the most brilliantly realised locations to ever to make their way into a videogame. Each location has a unique, always oppressive, yet equally impressive feel that not only helps bring the game to life, but also helps immerse the player you in the world created. Few games have such a wide range of locations that are so masterfully linked together as Resident Evil 4.

The game is played from the third person perspective, through the aforementioned widescreen, or letterbox view. It This gives the game a much more cinematic feel and is incredibly immersive. When readying your weapon, the camera zooms in masterfully over your shoulder. and Aalthough your feet are locked in place when you aim, it this actually adds to the experience greatly and keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout, as you are forced to decide whether to stand and fight or do the proverbial runner, a decision made all the more difficult by the marauding hordes of miffed villagers baying for your blood. Believe me, a lot of the time, the choice is simply taken from your hands as you find yourself surrounded by pitchfork- wielding enemies and you're faced with little choice but to shoot your way out.

Although nothing has changed in regards to the content with the release of Resident Evil 4: Wii Edition, one huge change comes in the form of the reworked control scheme. When you have a game as successful and beloved as rResident Evil 4, reworking the control scheme can be a very dangerous proposition. For the Wii however, not only was it essential given the console's unique wand- like controller, but it has also made one of the finest gaming experiences of recent memory even better. The new control scheme not only improves accuracy and fluidity, but it also helps immerse the player you even more into what was already one of the most immersive engaging games around. What Capcom have achieved here is no mean feat and really shouldn't be underestimated. The control scheme was already nigh on perfect, especially on the Gamecube, yet somehow they have managed to improve it no end and in doing so have breathed new life into an already outstanding piece of videogame artistry.

Movement is now controlled via the Nunchuk analogue stick, while aiming is triggered by a quick press of the B button. and Mmenus are opened via the buttons lined along the Wiimote. The real innovation however comes from the new aiming mechanic., It is a huge improvement and is what makes the game more than worth going back to, even for those who have already played it to death on other systems. Gone is the laser sight, replaced by an aiming reticule which that allows for pin point aimingaccuracy. Although other games have struggled with the Wiimote being used to aim, Capcom have clearly had no such problems. This is as accurate and natural a control scheme as you are likely to find outside of a keyboard and mouse set-up and really is an example of just what can be achieved with the Wiimote when developers get it right.

The combat in Resident Evil 4 was always first class, but, thanks to the new control scheme though, things feel even more intuitive as you accurately take out live dynamite while still in the hands of the enemy or shoot flying scythes clean out of the air with a new found sense of accuracy and style. Although this is extremely fun and without question makes the game worth returning to, it does dilute the difficulty slightly. For those who If you've have already completed the game, then don't go in expecting a new challenge,; this is all about reliving the experience with an improved and more natural feeling control scheme. Another minor issue comes from the fact that the aiming reticule simply doesn't look as cool as the laser sight did. Ok, Yes it's faster and more accurate;, but however, it does look a little out of place and therefore slightly reduces the immersive nature of the game. It really should have been a simple white cross, but instead, it is it's a little too big and flashy and just looks awkward in the world that Capcom have created.

Beyond these minor issues, the Wiimote has more up its sleeve than just improved aiming. The knife can now be wielded by swinging the Wiimote in the air; and it also has a new auto aiming system, meaning that your attacks will automatically find the nearest target. Of course, using your knife is still very much the last resort; this just helps making it a little more useful and enjoyable without affecting the balance of the game. Reloading can also be done accomplished through a quick shake of the Wiimote, rather than using the more traditional button press. If you do actually prefer using the buttons for both reloading and knife attacks, you can still do achieve this in the more traditional sense through by holding C and pressing A to attack with your knife or going into aiming mode and pressing down on the Dd-pad to reload. It should be noted thoughhowever that , although it may feel a little strange at first, using all the aspects of the new Wiimote controls tends to make the experience feel that little bit more involving.

Throughout the game there are there's an array of well- timed, and well -executed QTE's (Quick- tTime eEvents) that always feel natural rather than forced. These were already solid and again kept you on your toes for the entire game., but Wwith the new Wii motion sensing controls, these have been made even better, as your actions with the Wiimote mirror the action on- screen. This is another very nice touch and the icing on the cake for a beautifully executed control scheme.

Although there has been no graphical update from the Gamecube version, the true 16:19 widescreen support really gives the game that extra edge when playing it on a high quality television. Regardless of this inclusion though, this is still an incredibly good- looking game. Even 2two years after release, everything about the game it oozes quality. The locations are beautifully realized from beginning to end and are packed with incidental scenery animations that really bring the world to life without ever feeling obtrusive or overdone. The character models are also top notch and are another aspect of the game that was clearly given some real care and attention. All this has combinesd to make one of the most atmospheric game worlds ever created, as well as one of the most disturbingly beautiful.

Beyond the great design, graphics and controls, the audio of Resident Evil 4 really stands out as one of the finest examples of the genre. Beyond Apart from the ever so slightly, but clearly purposefully deliberately hammy voice acting; - as is always the case with Capcom, - the game is blessed with a near perfect score. Although it never has the wow factor of anything like the Halo series or the catchiness of the better Final Fantasy efforts, it simply captures the mood of the game and the surroundings perfectly. For the most part it is understated, yet when the action really gets going it quickly ups the ante appropriately. There are still the perfectly pitched mumblings of the villagers as they attack from all sides, along with the brilliant roars of some of the larger bosses. However, it is again the Wiimote that brings that little extra to the experience.; Aas you reload or attack with your knife, the sound will comes through clearly on the Wiimote speaker. This is yet another example of one of the many minor touches that Capcom have introduced that make the game worth revisiting even more than it already was.

Resident Evil 4: Wii Edition This is without question the definitive version of Resident Evil 4 and is more than enough reason enough to pick up a Wii if you have never experienced its ghoulish charms before. The new control scheme is nigh- on perfect and the game as a whole hasn't lost an inch in the two years since its release.. In fact, the only reason it's not getting a perfect score is because of the fact that it's now two years old and not quite as groundbreaking as it was when it was first released - but if you've never played it before then it's without doubt a must buy. Although given a mark of 9, for anyone who hasn't played it before, you can quite easily push that up to a 10 aTs tThis is unquestionably one of the finest gaming experiences to ever grace home consoles and is a testament to what can be achieved when developers aren't rushed into releasing a game before it is ready. It may have taken four years, but mby God, was it worth it. Simply put, one of the finest games out there just got that little bit better.

Reviewed by Liam Pritchard for AceGamez (All Rights Reserved).