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{{Short description|2005 video game}}
{{Infobox CVG
{{About|the 2005 video game|the 2023 remake|Resident Evil 4 (2023 video game)|the fourth film in the ''Resident Evil'' film series|Resident Evil: Afterlife}}
|title=Resident Evil 4
{{Redirect|RE4}}
|image=]
{{Good article}}{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2016}}
|developer=]
{{Infobox video game
|publisher=] (GCN, PS2, Wii)<br>] (PC)
| title = Resident Evil 4
|designer=] (director)<br/>] (producer)
| image = Resi4-gc-cover.jpg
|engine=
| caption = North American cover art
|released ='''GameCube:'''<br/>{{flagicon|USA}} ], ]<br/>{{flagicon|Japan}} ], ]<br/>{{flagicon|EU}} ], ]<br/>'''PlayStation 2:'''<br/>{{flagicon|USA}} ], ]<br/>{{flagicon|EU}} ], ]<br/>{{flagicon|Australia}} ], ]<br/>{{flagicon|Japan}} ], ] <br/>'''PC:'''<br/>{{flagicon|EU}} ], ] <br/>{{flagicon|Australia}} ],] <br/>{{flagicon|USA}} ] ] <br/>{{flagicon|Japan}} ], ] <br/>'''Wii'''<br/>{{flagicon|Japan}} ] ]<br/>{{flagicon|USA}} ] ]</br>{{flagicon|EU}} ] ] <br/>{{flagicon|Australia}} ] ]<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.gamehead.com.au/product.php?productid=95072 | title = RESIDENT EVIL 4: WII EDITION | publisher = GAMEHEAD.COM.AU | accessdate = 2007-07-12 }}</ref>
| developer = ]{{efn|Original Windows version developed by Sourcenext; Oculus Quest 2 version developed by ].}}
|genre = ]<br/>]<br/>]
| publisher = {{Collapsible list|title={{nobold|]}}|'''Windows'''{{Video game release|JP|Capcom|NA/PAL|]}}|'''Oculus Quest 2'''{{Video game release|WW|]}}}}
|modes = ]
| director = ]
|ratings=]: M (Mature)<br/>]: D ''(17 and up, censored version)''<br/>]: 15<br/>]: 18<br/>]: 18+<br/>]: MA15+
| producer = ]
|platforms=], ], ], ]
| designer = {{Unbulleted list|Hiroshi Shibata|Kouji Kakae|Shigenori Nishikawa}}
|media=2 × ] (GameCube), 1 × ] (PlayStation 2), 1 × ] (Wii)
| programmer = Kiyohiko Sakata
|requirements = <nowiki></nowiki>
| writer = Shinji Mikami
* Supported OS: Windows® 2000/XP (only)
| composer = Misao Senbongi<br />Shusaku Uchiyama
* ]: 1 GHz Pentium® III or AMD Athlon™ (or better)
| series = '']''
* ]: 256 MB (512 MB recommended)
| platforms = {{Collapsible list|title={{Nobold|]}}|]|]|]|]|]|]|]|]|]|]|]|]}}
* ]: 128 MB DirectX® 9.0c-compliant AGP or PCI Express graphics card (256 or higher for High Graphics Detail support)
| released = {{Collapsible list|title={{nobold|January 11, 2005}}|'''GameCube'''{{Video game release|NA|January 11, 2005|JP|January 27, 2005|PAL|March 18, 2005}}|'''PlayStation 2'''{{Video game release|NA|October 25, 2005|EU|November 4, 2005|AU|November 9, 2005|JP|December 1, 2005}}|'''Windows'''{{Video game release|AU|March 1, 2007|EU|March 2, 2007|NA|May 15, 2007|JP|June 7, 2007|WW|February 27, 2014 (HD)}}|'''Wii'''{{Video game release|JP|May 31, 2007|NA|June 19, 2007|EU|June 29, 2007|AU|July 5, 2007}}|'''iOS'''{{Video game release|NA|July 27, 2009|JP|July 28, 2009|NA|April 3, 2010 (iPad)|JP|May 21, 2010 (iPad)}}|'''Zeebo'''{{Video game release|BR|August 11, 2009}}|'''PlayStation 3''', '''Xbox 360'''{{Video game release|JP|September 8, 2011|NA|September 20, 2011|EU|September 21, 2011}}|'''Android'''{{Video game release|JP|January 23, 2013|WW|April 23, 2013 (Samsung)}}|'''PlayStation 4''', '''Xbox One'''{{Video game release|WW|August 30, 2016}}|'''Nintendo Switch'''{{Video game release|WW|May 21, 2019|JP|May 23, 2019}}|'''Oculus Quest 2'''{{Video game release|WW|October 21, 2021}}}}
* ]: DirectX 9.0c compliant (or better)
| genre = ], ]
* ] Version: DirectX 9.0c or higher (included on disc)
| modes = ]
* CD-ROM: 12x or faster CD-ROM
* Hard Drive Space: 1.2 GB minimum
* Peripherals Supported: Gamepad
* Supported Video Cards at Time of Release
** ]® ]™ FX/6/7 families
** ]® ]® 9200-9800/X families.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://store.ubi.com/item.jsp?item=68311 | title = Resident Evil 4 - PC | publisher = ] | accessdate = 2007-01-28 }}</ref>
}} }}
'''''Resident Evil 4'''''{{efn|Known in Japan as {{nihongo|'''''Biohazard 4'''''|バイオハザード4|Baiohazādo 4|lead=yes}}|name=|group=}} is a 2005 ] developed and published by ] for the ]. Players control the special agent ] on a mission to rescue the US president's daughter, ], who has been kidnapped by a religious cult in rural Spain. Leon fights hordes of enemies infected by a mind-controlling parasite and reunites with the spy ]. In a departure from the fixed camera angles and slower gameplay of previous '']'' games, ''Resident Evil 4'' features a dynamic camera system and action-oriented gameplay.
'''''Resident Evil 4''''' (バイオハザード4, '''''biohazard 4''''') is a ] published and developed by ]. It is the sixth installment in the '']'' series. It was released in ] on ], ] for the ], and was later released in ] on ], ] and in ] on ], ]. The game was later ] onto the ] in ], and for the ] and ] in ]. The game also won numerous game of the year awards.


Development on ''Resident Evil 4'' began for the ] in 1999. Four proposed versions were discarded; the first was directed by ], but series creator ] felt it was too great a departure from the previous games, so it was spun off as '']'' (2001). Other versions were scrapped until Mikami took directorial duties for what became the final version. The game was announced as part of the ], a collaboration between Capcom and Nintendo to create five exclusives for the GameCube.
==Story==


''Resident Evil 4'' garnered acclaim for its story, gameplay, graphics, voice acting, and characters, and is cited as one of the ], winning multiple ] awards in 2005. It was ported to numerous formats, and became a ] hit, selling 12.3 million units by December 2022. It influenced the evolution of the survival horror and third-person genres, popularizing the "over-the-shoulder" ] used in games such as '']'', '']'', and '']''. Its successor, '']'', was released in 2009. A ] was released in 2023.<ref name="RemakeAnnouncement">{{Cite web |last=McWhertor |first=Michael |date=2022-06-02 |title=Resident Evil 4 remake announced, coming March 2023 |url=https://www.polygon.com/23152449/resident-evil-4-remake-release-date-capcom |access-date=2022-06-02 |website=Polygon |language=en-US |archive-date=June 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220602221100/https://www.polygon.com/23152449/resident-evil-4-remake-release-date-capcom |url-status=live }}</ref>
In ], six years after the events of '']'' and '']'', the ]’s secretive activities within ] have become a public affair. Following an investigation conducted by the ], several Umbrella officials are implicated and prosecuted. The government formally and indefinitely suspends Umbrella’s business practices, causing the company to become ].

The game's main protagonist is ], one of the few survivors of the Raccoon City incident, who was recruited and trained by the U.S. government to become a ] after they learned of his actions in Raccoon City. Leon is sent on a mission to rescue ], the President’s daughter, who has been kidnapped by a mysterious cult. Leon travels to a ]-speaking village in ], where he encounters a horde of unruly villagers who pledge their lives to ''Los Illuminados'', the cult that perpetrated Ashley’s kidnapping.

During the course of the mission, Leon is reunited with ], a woman Leon met in ''Resident Evil 2'', and ], one of Leon’s former buddies from his years of government training, thought to be dead. He also meets ], a former Los Illuminados researcher, who aids Leon on his mission before he is killed. By examining Sera’s notes, Leon discovers that Los Illuminados gained control of their subjects by implanting a mind-controlling parasite known as ] into their bodies.

After ], the leader of the cult, discovers that Leon has rescued Ashley, he commands his subjects to use any means to recover her. Meanwhile, after defeating the village chief ], Leon and Ashley take refuge inside ]'s castle. A surprise attack by Salazar's minions leads to Ashley’s recapture, forcing Leon to travel to a military and research complex located on a nearby island. After numerous altercations with Saddler's forces, Leon is able to successfully rescue Ashley, and defeat Saddler with Ada's assistance.

Leon recovers "The Sample", a vial of the G-virus, from Saddler’s corpse, but Ada forces him to give it to her. Leon, begrudgingly tells her "You know what this is." before he hands it to her, reminding her of how dangerous the virus is. She then escapes from the complex in a helicopter, leaving Leon and Ashley to escape via jet-ski.


==Gameplay== ==Gameplay==
The player controls the protagonist, ], from a ] perspective. Departing significantly from the series' previous games, the gameplay focuses on action and shootouts with fewer survival horror elements. The camera is placed behind Leon and zooms in for an over-the-shoulder view when aiming a weapon, or a first-person view when aiming with a sniper rifle.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.softpedia.com/reviews/games/playstation/Resident-Evil-4-Review-46046.shtml|title=Resident Evil 4|first=Alexandru|last=Stanescu|publisher=]|date=February 1, 2007|access-date=September 1, 2011|quote=The camera problems have been finally solved thanks to a very useful over-the-shoulder and behind the player camera that makes the whole aiming process really easy.|archive-date=October 22, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022001537/http://www.softpedia.com/reviews/games/playstation/Resident-Evil-4-Review-46046.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> There is no crosshair for firearms; instead, every firearm has a laser sight. Unlike previous games where players can only shoot straight, up, or down, players have more options. For example, shots to the feet can cause enemies to stumble, and shots to the arms can make them drop their weapons. Players can also shoot down projectiles like thrown axes or scythes.<ref name="laser">{{cite web|url=http://uk.cube.ign.com/articles/499/499572p2.html|title=Resident Evil 4 – Gamecube Preview at IGN|website=IGN|date=March 17, 2004|access-date=September 1, 2011|page=2|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320123521/http://uk.cube.ign.com/articles/499/499572p2.html|archive-date=March 20, 2012|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
''Resident Evil 4'''s game mechanics have been completely redesigned to incorporate fast-paced gunplay, quick controls and shootouts involving massive crowds of enemies in large open areas. This, combined with an abundance of healing items and ammunition, results in a different gameplay experience from other Resident Evil games. Previous titles in the series have focused on exploration and conservation of ammunition. A typical play-through can result in the player killing upwards of 900 enemies.


] enables the player to target key zones on enemies.<ref name="laser"/>|alt=An image of a young man defending himself against a horde of humanoid enemies in a village setting. The camera is behind the man's shoulder, placing him in the bottom left corner and the attackers in the background of the picture.]]
===Changes===
Because the game contains no ], this installment is a radical departure from the series formula. Instead, the main enemies are parasitically-influenced humans referred to as "]" (Spanish for 'the cattle'). Significantly smarter and quicker than the zombies from previous games, Ganados are a very different sort of foe. These new enemies dodge, wield melee and projectile weapons, and are capable of working collectively and communicating with each other. Once simple farmers, these Ganados are the product of an infestation of ], which are powerful mind-controlling parasites.


''Resident Evil 4'' adds context-sensitive controls. Based on the situation, players can interact with the environment: kicking down a ladder, jumping out of a window, dodging an attack or executing a "finishing move" on weakened enemies. There are also ]s, in which the player must press buttons indicated on-screen to execute actions such as dodging a falling boulder or wrestling an enemy to stay alive. These are often incorporated into the game's many ] fights, in which the player must avoid instant-kill attacks.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.cube.ign.com/articles/501/501208p1.html|title=Resident Evil 4 Secrets Revealed|website=IGN|date=March 23, 2004|access-date=September 3, 2011|page=1|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320131455/http://uk.cube.ign.com/articles/501/501208p1.html|archive-date=March 20, 2012|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
]
''Resident Evil 4'' also contains changes to the inventory, camera angles, and movement control system. Normally, the camera remains behind the player character, who is visible from the waist up, and stands just left of the center of the screen. The camera zooms in for an over-the-shoulder view when the aiming button is pressed, and all projectile weapons (save for those with telescopic sights) are given a laser sight for precision aiming. This feature was removed in the ] version in favor of an aiming reticule controlled by the ].


The main enemies are violent villagers referred to as Los Ganados ("The Cattle" in ]). Unlike the ], they can dodge, wield weaponry like chainsaws and projectile weapons, and are capable of working collectively and communicating with each other. The villagers' leaders may transform into grotesque monstrous forms to do battle with the player when encountered. Other prominent enemies include the Regeneradors, a type of mutated humanoid creature with potent regenerative abilities; the ]-like El Gigante; and the gigantic sea creature Del Lago.<ref name=Pop>{{cite web|url=https://www.popdust.com/resident-evil-4-2649876309.html|title=The 9 Best Moments in "Resident Evil 4"|author=Mackenzie Cummings-Grady|website=PopDust|date=January 11, 2021|access-date=July 26, 2021|archive-date=January 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111202346/https://www.popdust.com/resident-evil-4-2649876309.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
With the inclusion of a laser sight, the game gives players an unprecedented amount of control in their attacks. Previous ''Resident Evil'' games only allowed players to aim their weapon up, down, or level; ''Resident Evil 4'' expands this considerably, and enemies respond differently to bullet impacts to various parts of the body. For example, a shot to the foot may cause an approaching enemy to stumble, while a shot to the arm might make an enemy drop their weapon. Ammunition is more plentiful than in previous installments, primarily because some enemies drop ammunition after they are defeated. Weapons may be purchased from and continuously upgraded by the merchant using the currency in the game, the ].


The inventory system features a grid system, represented by an ], that has each item take up a certain number of spaces. The case can be upgraded several times, allowing for more space. Weapons, ammunition, and healing items are kept in the case, while key items and treasures are kept in a separate menu. Items may be bought from and sold to a merchant that appears in various locations. He sells first aid sprays, weapons, allows for weapons to be upgraded and buys various treasures that Leon finds. The various weapons each have their own advantages and disadvantages.<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Major|last=Mike|url=http://www.gamepro.com/article/features/48779/resident-evil-4-weapons-of-mass-destruction-guide/|title=Feature: ''Resident Evil 4'' – Weapons of Mass Destruction Guide|magazine=]|date=October 5, 2005|access-date=September 5, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607155422/http://www.gamepro.com/article/features/48779/resident-evil-4-weapons-of-mass-destruction-guide/|archive-date=June 7, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|first=Stephen|last=Stratton|chapter=Weapons and Items|title=''Resident Evil 4'' (Wii version): ''Prima Official Game Guide''|publisher=Prima Games|year=2007|isbn=978-0-7615-5701-2}}</ref>
Item management has also undergone significant change. While previous installments restricted a character to carrying a set number of items, ''Resident Evil 4'' bases the number of items a character may carry on a grid system in which each item takes up a set of squares on the grid. The player's carrying capacity may be expanded by purchasing larger attaché cases. In addition, key items are now kept separately from weapons and healing supplies, allowing the player to acquire them without dropping current items or backtracking to the nearest item chest to make room. Treasures may be sold to the merchant for pesetas. The healing herbs from the previous games are back. In addition to the traditional green and red herbs, is the yellow herb, which when combined with a green herb (or a mixed herb) increases the player's maximum health.


Capcom added content for the PlayStation 2 version, which was later incorporated into the PC and Wii releases. The largest addition is "Separate Ways", a side story which focuses on ]'s involvement in ''Resident Evil 4'' and her connection to the series' villain ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.ps2.ign.com/articles/653/653900p1.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071015180145/http://uk.ps2.ign.com/articles/653/653900p1.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 15, 2007|title=Resident Evil 4: Separate Ways|website=IGN|date=September 26, 2005|access-date=September 3, 2011}}</ref> "Ada's Report", a five-part documentary, analyzes Ada's relationship with Wesker and his role in the plot.<ref>{{cite web|first=Bryn|last=Williams|url=http://uk.ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/resident-evil-4/653813p1.html|title=Previews: Resident Evil 4|publisher=GameSpy|date=September 26, 2005|access-date=September 3, 2011|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304090140/http://uk.ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/resident-evil-4/653813p1.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Other ] content in all versions includes the minigame "The Mercenaries" and short scenario "Assignment Ada" (using Ada to retrieve Las Plagas samples), new costumes for Leon and Ashley, new weapons, and a ] browser.<ref>{{cite web|first=Audrey|last=Drake|url=http://uk.ps3.ign.com/articles/119/1195660p1.html|title=Resident Evil 4 HD Review – PlayStation 3 Review at IGN|website=IGN|date=September 21, 2011|access-date=October 20, 2011|archive-date=June 3, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120603175726/http://uk.ps3.ign.com/articles/119/1195660p1.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
Another new aspect of ''Resident Evil 4'' is the inclusion of context-sensitive controls. Based on the situation, the player can interact with specific aspects of their environment, such as by kicking down a ladder, jumping out of a window, or dodging an enemy attack. The player can perform a ] attack against enemies while the enemy is stunned or on his or her knees. There are also dynamic ]s, in which the player must press buttons indicated on-screen to execute actions such as dodging a falling boulder or wrestling an enemy to stay alive. The Wii version altered this concept slightly by having the player shake the motion-sensitive controller instead of pressing a combination of buttons. This technique is sometimes employed in boss fights against one-hit kill attacks. The game also features a dedicated knife button, which the player can use in addition to firearms.


==Plot==
The game also features a more ] presentation by using ]ing. Loading times are kept to a minimum, unlike previous ''Resident Evil'' games, where moving between areas required a load screen. In ''Resident Evil 4'', the game loads only between areas denoted by green action text. An area may feature anything from a few buildings to a huge military base. Doors are manipulated by pressing 'action' next to them, after which the character opens the door slowly and quietly, or the character will give it a push or a kick (which can stun enemies) if 'action' is pressed twice. Cutscenes load almost instantaneously, keeping the pace consistent. However, the PlayStation 2 version loads slower, and has lower fidelity sound effects outside of cutscenes.
In 2004, U.S. government agent ] (]) is on a mission to rescue ] (]), the U.S. President's daughter, who has been abducted by a mysterious cult.<ref>{{cite video game|title=Resident Evil 4|developer=Capcom Production Studio 4 |publisher=Capcom|date=October 25, 2005 |platform=PlayStation 2|quote='''Leon:''' It was right before I was to take on my duties of protecting the President's daughter when she was abducted. That's the ultimate reason I'm in this lonely and rural part of Europe. According to our intelligence, there's reliable information of a sighting of a girl that looks very similar to the President's daughter. Apparently, she's being withheld by some unidentified group of people. Who would have thought my first job would be a rescue mission?}}</ref> He travels to an unnamed rural village in ],<ref>{{cite news |last=Pham |first=Alex |url=https://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2009/02/resident-evil-5.html |title=Racism in Resident Evil 5? Capcom, two black actors respond |newspaper=LA Times |date=2009-02-12 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190131112021/https://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2009/02/resident-evil-5.html |archive-date=2019-01-31 |access-date=2019-08-20 }}</ref> where he encounters a group of hostile villagers who pledge their lives to Los Iluminados, the cult that kidnapped Ashley. The villagers were once simple farmers until becoming infected by a mind-controlling ] known as ''Las Plagas''.<ref>{{cite web|first=Jesse|last=Schedeen|url=http://uk.stars.ign.com/articles/957/957628p7.html|title=Resident Evil: The Many Looks of the Infected|website=IGN|date=February 26, 2009|access-date=September 3, 2011|page=7|archive-date=April 23, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120423152027/http://uk.stars.ign.com/articles/957/957628p7.html|url-status=live}}</ref>


While in the village, Leon is captured by its chief, Bitores Mendez, and injected with Las Plagas.<ref name="plagas"/> He finds himself held captive with ] (]), a former police officer in ], and former Los Iluminados researcher.<ref>{{cite video game|title=Resident Evil 4|developer=Capcom Production Studio 4|publisher=Capcom|date=October 25, 2005 |platform=PlayStation 2|quote='''Sera:''' That is the incident with the viral outbreak right? I think I might have seen a sample of the virus in the lab at my department.}}</ref> The two work together to escape, but soon go their separate ways. Leon finds out Ashley is being held in a church and rescues her.<ref>{{cite video game|title=Resident Evil 4|developer=Capcom Production Studio 4|publisher=Capcom|date=October 25, 2005 |platform=PlayStation 2|quote='''Leon:''' Calm down. Everything's going to be just fine. My name's Leon, I'm under the President's order to rescue you. / '''Ashley:''' What? My father? / '''Leon:''' That's right, and have to get you out of here. Come with me.}}</ref> They both escape from the church after ] (]), leader of the cult, reveals his plan to use the parasite they injected into Ashley to manipulate her into injecting the president of the United States with a "sample" once she returns home, allowing Saddler to begin his conquest of the world.<ref>{{cite video game|title=Resident Evil 4|developer=Capcom Production |publisher=Capcom|date=October 25, 2005 |platform=PlayStation 2|quote='''Saddler:''' If you must know, my name is Osmund Saddler, the master of this fine...religious community. / '''Leon:''' What do you want? / '''Saddler:''' To demonstrate to the whole world, our astounding power, of course. No longer will the United States think they can police the world forever. So we kidnapped the President's daughter, in order to give her our power, and then send her back.}}</ref>
===Characters===
{{main|Characters in Resident Evil 4 }}


After killing Mendez, Leon and Ashley try to take refuge in a castle but are attacked by more ''Iluminados'' under the command of Ramon Salazar (Rene Mujica), another of Saddler's henchmen who owns the castle,<ref name="plagas">{{cite video game|title=Resident Evil 4|developer=Capcom Production |publisher=Capcom|date=October 25, 2005 |platform=PlayStation 2|quote='''Leon:''' We decided to lay low in a castle, but it looks like it was a bad move. / '''Hunnigan:''' Meaning? / '''Leon:''' Well it appears that this castle's also connected with the Los Iluminados. They must not get many visitors cuz they're giving me one hell of a welcome. / ... / '''Saddler:''' Oh, I believe I forgot to tell you that we gave you the same gift. / '''Leon:''' (When I was unconscious.)}}</ref> and the two become separated by Salazar's traps. Meanwhile, Luis searches for pills that will slow Leon and Ashley's infection, as well as a sample of ''Las Plagas''. He brings the two items to Leon but is killed by Saddler, who takes the sample, while the pills to suppress the infection remain in Leon's hands.<ref>{{cite video game|title=Resident Evil 4|developer=Capcom Production Studio 4|publisher=Capcom|date=October 25, 2005 |platform=PlayStation 2|quote=''''Saddler:''' Now that I have the sample, you serve me no purpose. / '''Leon:''' Saddler! / '''Saddler:''' My boy Salazar will make sure you follow the same fate. / '''Leon:''' Stay with me, Luis. / '''Sera:''' I am a researcher...hired by Saddler. He found out what I was up to. / '''Leon:''' Don't talk. / '''Sera:''' Here. It should suppress the growth of the parasite. The sample...Saddler took it. You have to get it back.}}</ref> While in the castle, Leon briefly encounters ] (Sally Cahill), a woman from his past who supports him during his mission. He battles his way through the castle before killing Salazar.<ref>{{cite video game|title=Resident Evil 4|developer=Capcom Production Studio 4|publisher=Capcom|date=October 25, 2005 |platform=PlayStation 2|quote='''Leon:''' You, working with Wesker. / '''Ada:''' I see you've been doing your homework.}}</ref>
===Creatures===
{{main|List of Resident Evil 4 creatures}}


Afterward, Leon travels to a nearby island research facility, where he continues the search for Ashley. He discovers that one of his former training comrades, ] (]), who was believed to have been killed in a helicopter crash two years prior, is responsible for her kidnapping in an attempt to get close enough to Saddler to steal his new Plagas sample.<ref>{{cite video game|title=Resident Evil 4|developer=Capcom Production Studio 4|publisher=Capcom|date=October 25, 2005 |platform=PlayStation 2|quote='''Krauser:''' I died in the crash two years ago. Is that what they told you? / '''Leon:''' You're the one who kidnapped Ashley! / '''Krauser:''' You catch on quick. That's expected. After all, both you and I know where we come from. / '''Leon:''' What do you want? / '''Krauser:''' Hmph. The sample Saddler developed, that's all.}}</ref> Ada and Krauser are working with ] (]), for whom both intend to secure a Plagas sample, though Krauser is suspicious of Ada.<ref>{{cite video game|title=Resident Evil 4|developer=Capcom Production Studio 4 |publisher=Capcom|date=October 25, 2005 |platform=PlayStation 2|quote='''Krauser:''' Saddler's got it. It seems he's sniffed out our little game. / '''Ada:''' Perfect. / '''Krauser:''' Just so we understand each other clearly, I don't trust you. Nor does Wesker. If you try to do anything clever, I will kill you. / '''Ada:''' Is that so? You know, I met Wesker long before you.}}</ref> Suspicious of the mercenary's intentions, Saddler orders Krauser to kill Leon, believing that no matter which one dies, he will benefit.<ref>{{cite video game|title=Resident Evil 4|developer=Capcom Production Studio 4 |publisher=Capcom|date=October 25, 2005 |platform=PlayStation 2|quote='''Leon:''' Wha? What are you talking about? I thought he was with you. / '''Saddler:''' What are you talking about? Did you really think I'd trust an American? To tell you the truth, I was contemplating how to get rid of him. But thanks to you, that's no longer necessary. / '''Leon:'''You were just using him right from the start.}}</ref> After Krauser's defeat, Leon rescues Ashley, and they remove the Plagas from their bodies using a specialized ] device. Leon confronts Saddler, and with Ada's help, manages to kill him. However, Ada takes the sample from Leon at gunpoint before escaping in a helicopter,<ref>{{cite video game|title=Resident Evil 4|developer=Capcom Production Studio 4 |publisher=Capcom|date=October 25, 2005 |platform=PlayStation 2|quote='''Ada:''' Sorry, Leon. Hand it over. / '''Leon:''' Ada, you do know what this is.}}</ref> leaving Leon and Ashley to escape via her jet-ski as the island explodes.<ref>{{cite video game|title=Resident Evil 4|developer=Capcom Production Studio 4 |publisher=Capcom|date=October 25, 2005 |platform=PlayStation 2|quote='''Leon:''' We have to get off this island now! It's gonna blow any minute.}}</ref>
==Reaction==
''Resident Evil 4'' has garnered critical acclaim. It has received dozens of awards from various organizations (see below) and stellar reviews from various video game websites.<ref>{{cite web | url =
http://www.metacritic.com/search/process?sort=relevance&termType=all&ts=Resident+Evil+4&ty=3&x=0&y=0 | title = Search Results: "Resident Evil 4" | publisher = ] | accessdate = ]}}</ref>


==Development==
The ] version was released in the United States on ], ] with U.S. sales exceeding 320,000 copies in the first 20 days. The European release on March the 18th mirrored this success, selling its entire 200,000 unit allocation within the first month. As of ], reported sales of ''Resident Evil 4'' show that it has shipped over 3,000,000 copies world wide. Sales totals include the PlayStation 2 port that was released on ] ].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://ir.capcom.co.jp/english/news/html/e060208a.html | title = The Latest Installment in Capcom's Hit Resident Evil Series "Resident Evil 4" Ships 3 Million! | publisher = ] | accessdate = 2007-01-28 }}</ref>
In 1999, producer ] said a ''Resident Evil'' sequel was in development for ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ps2.ign.com/articles/072/072895p1.html |title=Resident Evil Series to Haunt PlayStation 2 |first=Douglass |last=Perry |date=December 3, 1999 |website=IGN |access-date=July 17, 2010 |archive-date=December 13, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101213020356/http://ps2.ign.com/articles/072/072895p1.html |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Resident Evil 4'' underwent a lengthy development, during which at least four versions of the game were discarded.<ref name="egm2005">{{cite magazine |author=Kevin Gifford, Mark MacDonald |date=April 2005 |title=Afterthoughts: Resident Evil 4 |magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly |publisher=Ziff Davis Media Inc. |issue=190 |pages=51–52}}</ref> The first version was directed by ].<ref name="dmcbegin">{{cite web|url=http://www.capcom.co.jp/devil/column/vol002.html |title=新しいバイオ |first=Hideki |last=Kamiya |date=July 2001 |work=Devil May Cry Column |publisher=Capcom Co., Ltd. |access-date=July 17, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100306002045/http://www.capcom.co.jp/devil/column/vol002.html |archive-date=March 6, 2010 }}</ref> Around the turn of the millennium,<ref name="dmcscenario">{{cite web|url=http://www.capcom.co.jp/devil/column/vol010.html |title=The Story of the Scenario |author=Hideki Kamiya |date=July 2001 |work=Devil May Cry Column |publisher=Capcom Co., Ltd. |access-date=July 17, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100306002121/http://www.capcom.co.jp/devil/column/vol010.html |archive-date=March 6, 2010 }}</ref> ''Resident Evil 2'' writer ] created a story for the game,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/20010411/capcom.htm |title=カプコン、深作欣二監督を招き「クロックタワー3」を制作 |trans-title=Clock Tower 3 produced invited to Capcom, directed by Kinji fukasaku. Hope charm is different from the resident evil |author=Minoru Funatsu |date=April 11, 2001 |work=GAME Watch |publisher=Impress Watch Corporation |access-date=July 8, 2010 |archive-date=June 30, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130630004745/http://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/20010411/capcom.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> based on Kamiya's idea to make a "cool" and "stylish" ].<ref>{{cite book |title=Devil May Cry Graphic Edition |date=December 2001 |publisher=Kadokawa Shoten |isbn=978-4-04-707071-4}}</ref> The story was based on unraveling the mystery surrounding the body of the protagonist, Tony,<ref>{{Cite tweet |user=PG_kamiya |author=Hideki Kamiya |author-link=Hideki Kamiya |number=24941810134 |date = September 19, 2010 |access-date = July 13, 2015 |title=But in the 1st plot the hero's name was Tony. }}</ref> an invincible man with skills and an intellect exceeding that of normal people, with his superhuman abilities explained with biotechnology.<ref name="dmcscenario" /> As Kamiya felt the playable character did not look brave and heroic enough in battles from a fixed angle, he decided to drop the prerendered backgrounds from previous installments and use a ].<ref name="dmcbegin" /> The team spent 11 days in the United Kingdom and Spain, photographing objects such as ] statues, bricks, and stone pavements for use in ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.capcom.co.jp/devil/column/vol009.html |title=背景 |trans-title=Background |author=Hideki Kamiya |date=July 2001 |work=Devil May Cry Column |publisher=Capcom Co., Ltd. |access-date=July 17, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100306002116/http://www.capcom.co.jp/devil/column/vol009.html |archive-date=March 6, 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/features/retroactive-hideki-kamiya |title=Retro/Active: Hideki Kamiya – The Okami Family Tree |author=James Mielke |work=1UP.com |publisher=UGO Entertainment, Inc. |date=August 18, 2006 |access-date=July 20, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120605051116/http://www.1up.com/features/retroactive-hideki-kamiya |archive-date=June 5, 2012 }}</ref>


Though the developers tried to make the "coolness" theme fit into the world of ''Resident Evil'',<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ps2.ign.com/articles/094/094860p1.html |title=E3 2001: Interview with Shinji Mikami |author=Douglass C. Perry |date=May 17, 2001 |website=IGN |access-date=July 20, 2008 |archive-date=December 29, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061229181518/http://ps2.ign.com/articles/094/094860p1.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Mikami felt it strayed too far from the series' ] roots and gradually convinced the staff to make an independent game. This became a new Capcom franchise, '']'', released for the PlayStation 2 in August 2001.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ps2.ign.com/articles/087/087835p1.html |title=New From Capcom: Devil May Cry |date=November 15, 2000 |website=IGN |access-date=July 17, 2010 |archive-date=June 11, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120611205641/http://ps2.ign.com/articles/087/087835p1.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
The game was considered by critics and fans as a top contender for 2005's Game of the Year. The fourth iteration (although it is the sixth game in the main series, which includes '']'' and '']'') has made fans out of players who would not otherwise have given the ''Resident Evil'' series a second glance.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://biz.gamedaily.com/industry/toppers/?id=9087 | title = Capcom's RE4 Reinvigorates the Franchise | author = Brightman, James | publisher = GameDaily BIZ | date = ] | accessdate = 2007-01-28 }}</ref>


=== "Fog" version ===
According to ], ] sales figures provided by Capcom, the GameCube version of ''Resident Evil 4'' has sold a total of 1.6 million units worldwide, and the PS2 has sold over 2 million units.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://ir.capcom.co.jp/english/data/million.html | title = Platinum Titles | publisher = ] | accessdate = 2007-07-12 }}</ref>
Development on ''Resident Evil 4'' restarted at the end of 2001.<ref name="fogbegin">{{cite journal |date=December 2004 |title=Resident Evil 4 Entwickler-Tagebuch – Teil 1: Die Entstehung |journal=N-Zone |publisher=Computec Media AG |issue=12/2004 |pages=76–77 |language=de |quote=Die ersten Arbeiten an ''Resident Evil 4'' haben bereits Ende 2001 begonnen. Die Teamgröße fluktuiert je nach Entwicklungsstand, derzeit arbeiten etwa 60 Mann an dem Titel. Hiroyuki Kobayashi: Es war nicht einfach, das Team bei Laune zu halten, nachdem wir die Richtung des Spiels so radikal verändert hatten. Als die Entscheidung getroffen wurde, das Spiel actionlastiger zu gestalten, war die Stimmung im Team schon sehr gedrückt. / The first work on ''Resident Evil 4'' already begun at the end of 2001. The size of team varies depending on the stage of development, about 60 people are working on the title at the moment. Hiroyuki Kobayashi: It was not easy to keep the team going after we changed the direction of the game so radically. When it was decided to make the game more action-oriented, the team felt really depressed.}}</ref> The first announcement was made in November 2002, as one of five games developed exclusively for the ] by ], the ].<ref name="productionstudio4">{{cite web |url=http://www.capcom.co.jp/studio4/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050206023353/http://www.capcom.co.jp/studio4/index.html |title=Production Studio 4 |language=ja |archive-date=February 6, 2005 |publisher=]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://cube.ign.com/articles/377/377330p1.html |title=Capcom's Fantastic Five |date=November 13, 2002 |website=IGN |access-date=July 17, 2010 |archive-date=March 12, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120312122107/http://cube.ign.com/articles/377/377330p1.html |url-status=live }}</ref> This revision, commonly dubbed the "fog version", was directed by Hiroshi Shibata<ref name="jp">{{cite web |url=http://www.capcom.co.jp/gamecube/english.html |title=Director's comment: biohazard 4 |date=November 14, 2002 |work=Production Studio 4 Announcements |publisher=Capcom Co., Ltd. (via ]) |quote=The game the whole world has been waiting for will finally be unveiled. The story takes place deep inside the very heart of Umbrella, the evil company responsible for the Progenitor Virus. The main character of Resident Evil 2, Leon S. Kennedy, is back in the game. What will Umbrella have in store for him this time? That "surprise" will push Leon to the very limits of his being for one purpose...the STRUGGLE to survive. Director / Hiroshi Shibata |access-date=July 17, 2010 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20021116211311/http://www.capcom.co.jp/gamecube/english.html |archive-date = November 16, 2002}}</ref> and was 40 percent finished at that time.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gfdata.de/archiv11-2002/november03.html |title=Neue Infos zu Biohazard 4 |date=November 20, 2002 |work=GameFront Online |publisher=GameFront Verlagsges. (via ]) |access-date=July 17, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040505074110/http://www.gfdata.de/archiv11-2002/november03.html |archive-date=May 5, 2004}}</ref> The game saw Leon S. Kennedy struggling to survive<ref name="jp" /> after having infiltrated Umbrella's castle-like main headquarters located in Europe and featured traditional ''Resident Evil'' monsters such as ]s.<ref name="egm2005" /><ref name="gamespykobayashi" /><ref>{{cite video game|title=Resident Evil 2 |developer=Capcom Co., Ltd. |publisher=Capcom USA, Inc. |date=January 21, 1998 |platform=PlayStation |quote=Chris's Diary: We talked it over, and have decided to fly to the main Umbrella HQ in Europe.}}</ref> During the course of the new story which was again written by Sugimura's scenario creation company ],<ref>{{cite journal |date=May 2001 |title=Im Gespräch mit Shinji Mikami |journal=Play |publisher=CyPress GmbH |issue=5/2001 |page=27 |language=de |quote=Mikami: Ja, Flagship hat die Story dazu geschrieben. Mehr über Teil 4 werde ich aber nicht verraten (lacht). / Yes, Flagship wrote the story for it. But I won't reveal anything more about part 4 (laughs).}}</ref> Leon became infected with the Progenitor Virus and possessed a hidden power in his left hand.<ref name="egm2005" /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://cube.ign.com/articles/524/524138p9.html |title=Resident Evil Series Profile |date=June 25, 2004 |website=IGN |access-date=July 17, 2010 |archive-date=March 19, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110319225859/http://cube.ign.com/articles/524/524138p9.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://un-wiredtv.com/index.php/headlines/game_info/paul_mercier/ |title=Interview with Paul Mercier |date=September 21, 2009 |publisher=unWIRED TV |access-date=July 17, 2010 |archive-date=March 5, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305065102/http://un-wiredtv.com/index.php/headlines/game_info/paul_mercier/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> The producer of the final version also pointed out that Ashley did not appear back then, though there was a different girl who was never revealed to the public.<ref name="egm2005" /> The game was to feature some ] elements.<ref>{{in lang|ja}} {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130413070438/http://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/20021114/capcom.htm |date=April 13, 2013 }}, GAME Watch, November 14, 2002</ref>


=== "Hook Man" version ===
Both the Gamecube and PS2 versions of ''Resident Evil 4'' scored over 95% on ]<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/925156 | title = Resident Evil 4 Reviews | publisher = ] | accessdate = 2007-01-28 }}</ref> and 100% on ],<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.rottentomatoes.com/g/game_cube/resident_evil_4 | title = Resident Evil 4 | publisher = ] | accessdate = 2007-01-28 }}</ref> two review aggregator sites. '']'' also gave it a perfect 10, and named it their 2005 Game of the Year. It also ranked #2 on their ''NP Top 200'' list (featuring the best games ever on ] consoles), behind only '']''. The '']'' named it the Game Of The Year on the PlayStation 2 . '']'' gave both editions of ''Resident Evil 4'' a perfect score, and ranked it their 2005 Game of the Year. It tied with '']'' as Famitsu's Game of The Year 2005.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.famitsu.com/game/news/2006/04/21/103,1145605197,52094,0,0.html |title = "FAMITSU AWARDS 2005"大賞は『キングダム ハーツII』と『バイオハザード4』!! | publisher = ] | accessdate=2007-01-28 | language = Japanese}}</ref>
]


At ], Capcom showcased a version widely known as the "hook man version".<ref name="hookman">{{cite web |url=http://retro.ign.com/articles/960/960835p7.html |title=IGN Presents the History of Resident Evil |author=Travis Fahs |date=March 11, 2009 |website=IGN |access-date=July 17, 2010 |archive-date=March 9, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309085443/http://retro.ign.com/articles/960/960835p7.html |url-status=live }}</ref> It was later titled {{nihongo|''Maboroshi no Biohazard 4''|幻の「バイオハザード4」||lit. "The Phantom Biohazard 4"}} on the ''Biohazard 4 Secret DVD''. During Mikami's introduction of the trailer, he assured that development was proceeding smoothly and claimed the game was scarier than ever before.<ref name="hookman" /> The story was set in a haunted building where Leon contracted a bizarre disease and fought ] enemies, such as animated ], living dolls, and a ghostlike man armed with a large hook.<ref name="gamespykobayashi">{{cite web |url=http://cube.gamespy.com/gamecube/resident-evil-4/551775p2.html |title=Hiroyuki Kobayashi on Resident Evil 4 & Killer 7 |author=Heidi Kemps |date=September 27, 2004 |publisher=GameSpy |access-date=July 18, 2010 |archive-date=February 6, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120206233905/http://cube.gamespy.com/gamecube/resident-evil-4/551775p2.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="hookman" /> The game had an otherworldly feel to it, containing elements like flashbacks and hallucinations that were marked by a bluish tint and a shaking camera.<ref name="egm2005" /> It also displayed various gameplay mechanics that carried over to the final release, like the over-the-shoulder camera, a laser sight for aiming in battles and quick time events.<ref name="hookman" /> Other features, such as ], were removed later.<ref name="egm2005" /> Five minutes of gameplay footage were released on the ''Biohazard 4 Secret DVD'', a Japanese ] bonus given out in January 2005.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cube.ign.com/articles/582/582869p1.html |title=RE4 Bonus Disc Footage |author=Juan Castro |date=January 26, 2005 |website=IGN |access-date=July 18, 2010 |archive-date=October 4, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081004181322/http://cube.ign.com/articles/582/582869p1.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
Subsequently, ''Resident Evil 4'' was named 'Game of the Year' at the 2005 ].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/adventure/residentevil4/news.html?sid=6140144 | title = RE4 named Game of Year at Spike Awards | author = Sinclair, Brendan | publisher = ]| date = ] | accessdate = 2007-01-28}}</ref>. Also, the television show ] said that it is the greatest game since the beginning of the series in April 2003.


==="Hallucination" version===
== Nintendo GameCube exclusivity ==
The Hallucination version had only a basic story concept, having dropped the previous scenario penned by Noboru Sugimura of Flagship. In 2012, '']'' scenario writer Yasuhisa Kawamura said he was responsible for this version, as he wanted to make ''Biohazard 4'' scarier "and suggested using a particular scene from the film '']'', where the main character suddenly finds herself in a derelict building with a killer on the loose. An arranged version of this idea eventually turned into Hook Man. The idea went through several iterations as Mr. Sugimura and I carefully refined this world (which, I have to say, was very romantic). Leon infiltrates the castle of Spencer seeking the truth, while inside a laboratory located deep within, a young girl wakes up. Accompanied by a B.O.W. dog, the two start to make their way up the castle. Unfortunately, there were many obstacles that needed to be overcome and the cost of development was deemed too expensive." Kawamura added he was very sorry and "even ashamed" that Mikami had to step in and scrap this version.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120418131533/http://www.vg247.com/2012/03/15/writer-ashamed-of-resident-evil-4-hook-man-experiement/ |date=April 18, 2012 }}, vg247.com, March 15, 2012</ref> After this attempt, the last cancelled revision featured classic zombies again. However, it was discontinued after a few months, and before it was ever shown to the public, as the developers felt it was too formulaic.<ref name="egm2005" />
In ], Capcom announced that the core ''Resident Evil'' series would become exclusive to the Nintendo GameCube with three new games: an ] of the original ''Resident Evil'', a prequel titled '']'', and ''Resident Evil 4''. Capcom had previously proposed a version of ''Resident Evil 4'' for PlayStation 2, but the idea was revamped into '']''.


The story of the Progenitor Virus was eventually covered in '']'' and the Spencer Estate became the setting for ''Resident Evil 5''{{'}}s ] (DLC) pack "Lost in Nightmares" (featuring ] and ]).<ref>Lark Anderson, , GameSpot, March 2, 2010 {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019094549/http://www.gamespot.com/resident-evil-5-lost-in-nightmares/reviews/resident-evil-5-lost-in-nightmares-review-6252729/ |date=October 19, 2012 }}</ref>
As a result of heavy losses incurred in ], the company later confirmed that not all the ''Resident Evil'' series games were actually exclusive to the console, with the exception of ''Resident Evil 4''. ], in an interview with a Japanese magazine, claimed that he would "cut head off" if ''Resident Evil 4'' came to the PlayStation 2. {{Fact|date=May 2007}}


===Final version===
After the announcement of the exclusivity policy, Capcom still announced two ''Resident Evil'' titles for the PlayStation 2; ''Gun Survivor 4'' (''Resident Evil: Dead Aim'') and ''Outbreak''. Capcom stated that those games were side stories and not subject to the GameCube policy, adding that the games also required the use of additional peripherals (a ] and online support) that were not available for the GameCube.
It was decided to reinvent the series.<ref name="gamespykobayashi" /> Mikami took over directorial duties from Shibata and began working on the version that was released.<ref name="ignkobayashi">{{cite web |url=http://cube.ign.com/articles/499/499419p1.html |title=Interview: Resident Evil 4 |date=March 17, 2004 |website=IGN |access-date=July 18, 2010 |archive-date=March 20, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320225427/http://cube.ign.com/articles/499/499419p1.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In an interview with ''Game Informer'', Mikami explained his decision to shift to a new gameplay system is due to the feeling that the older system is "more of the same" after playing ''Resident Evil Zero''. He says that he only felt nervous once more when playing with the newer system.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Reworked, Revitalized & Pure (Resident) Evil |magazine=Game Informer |issue=131 |date=March 2004 |publisher=GameStop |access-date=25 September 2016 |url=https://onedrive.live.com/?id=70BBBD9C272717DE%213489&cid=70BBBD9C272717DE |quote="I remember playing Resident Evil Zero and said to myself that this is just more of the same... This is why I wanted to change the system. With the new system, I once again feel nervous and scared when I play it." |archive-date=September 27, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160927113850/https://onedrive.live.com/?id=70BBBD9C272717DE%213489&cid=70BBBD9C272717DE |url-status=live }}</ref> Speaking for the team, game producer Hiroyuki Kobayashi<ref name="ignkobayashi" /> mentioned how the staff was "tired of the same thing"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cube.ign.com/articles/515/515402p1.html |title=E3 2004: Resident Evil 4 Interview |date=May 13, 2004 |website=IGN |access-date=May 27, 2008 |quote="The staff, which includes myself and of course Shinji Mikami, decided that we wanted to go in a new direction and re-create the series. We were tired of making the same stuff as well. We wanted to make something new and original. And that's how it started. " |archive-date=February 12, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120212232749/http://cube.ign.com/articles/515/515402p1.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and how some got bored and moved on to other projects.<ref>{{cite video|title=The Making of Resident Evil 4|medium=DVD|publisher=]|date=2005 |quote="I've worked on a number of Resident Evil titles in the past and honestly, I think the series has been recycling the same patterns, the same gameplay each time. The creators were starting to get bored with it and many moved to other projects."}}</ref> In addition to that, the producer also felt that the older format was "stuck in a cookie cutter mold" and described it as "shackles holding us down".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cube.gamespy.com/gamecube/resident-evil-4/551775p2.html |title=Hiroyuki Kobayashi on Resident Evil 4 & Killer 7 |author=Heidi Kemps |date=September 27, 2004 |publisher=GameSpy |access-date=July 18, 2010 |quote="In the past installments, we were stuck in the cookie-cutter RE mold. We had to break those shackles holding us down before we came up with something new." |archive-date=February 6, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120206233905/http://cube.gamespy.com/gamecube/resident-evil-4/551775p2.html |url-status=live }}</ref>


However, some of the staff members disagreed about changing the gameplay system. These members felt depressed and were hard to motivate after the game's focus shifted to be more action-oriented.<ref name="fogbegin" /> Although Mikami demanded the camera system be revised, the team had reservations about making big changes to the series he had created.<ref name="nintendopowerkobayashi" /> Eventually, he intervened, explained his proposed changes, and wrote a new story that, unlike previous installments, was not centered on the company Umbrella.<ref name="nintendopowerkobayashi">{{cite magazine |date=June 2004 |title=New Evil |magazine=Nintendo Power |publisher=Nintendo of America, Inc. |issue=180 |quote=The Umbrella Corporation is no more. "It's the only thing that makes sense if you think about it," explains Resident Evil 4 producer Hiroyuki Kobayshi. "Why would the U.S. government allow a company that developed the T-virus, and in the end forced them to destroy an entire city, to continue to exist? They wouldn't. Hence the rationale for Umbrella going away after RE3." "Right from the start, we wanted to do something new and innovative for the series, so Mikami issued an order to the team: 'I want to totally re-create how the polygons, the camera, everything looks.' But, every time the staff tried to do it without his direction, they only came out with little minor changes. Nothing major. Perhaps they were too afraid to take this series that he created and totally change it. But anyway, he stepped in and showed what he wanted."}}</ref><ref name="staffjp">{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041228225650/http://www.capcom.co.jp/bio4/ |archive-date=December 28, 2004 |url=http://www.capcom.co.jp/bio4/ |title=biohazard4 |publisher=]}}</ref><ref name="ignint"/> Mikami wrote the entire story in just three weeks due to time constraints.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vg247.com/shinji-mikami-hopes-a-resident-evil-4-remake-will-make-his-story-better |title=Shinji Mikami hopes a Resident Evil 4 Remake "will make his story better" |last=Cryer |first=Hirun |date=February 3, 2022 |website=] |access-date=February 6, 2022 |archive-date=February 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220205205312/https://www.vg247.com/shinji-mikami-hopes-a-resident-evil-4-remake-will-make-his-story-better |url-status=live }}</ref> Inspired by '']'', a game Mikami had enjoyed playing but felt could have been better with a different view, he decided to place the camera behind the playable character.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shacknews.com/article/67755/shinji-mikami-on-shadows-damned |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110314155922/http://www.shacknews.com/article/67755/shinji-mikami-on-shadows-damned |title=Shinji Mikami on Shadows of the Damned and inspiring a new generation of competition |author=De Matos, Xav |date=March 9, 2011 |work=] |publisher=] |archive-date=March 14, 2011 |access-date=March 13, 2011 |url-status=dead |df=mdy }}</ref> To go along with the new gameplay and story, a new type of enemy called "Ganado" was created, as opposed to using the undead creatures from previous ''Resident Evil'' games.<ref name="ignint">{{cite web |url=http://cube.ign.com/articles/515/515402p1.html |title=E3 2004: Resident Evil 4 Interview |date=May 13, 2004 |website=IGN |access-date=May 27, 2008 |archive-date=February 12, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120212232749/http://cube.ign.com/articles/515/515402p1.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Furthermore, producers expended additional detail to modify and update characters that had previously appeared in the series. In a documentary explaining the conception of the characters, Kamiya stated he intended to make Leon Kennedy "look tougher, but also cool".<ref name="dvd">{{cite video|title=The Making of Resident Evil 4|medium=DVD|publisher=]|date=2005}}</ref>
On ] ], Capcom officially announced that ''Resident Evil 4'' would come to the PlayStation 2 near the end of 2005, citing increased profit, changing market conditions, and increased consumer satisfaction as the key reasons (this, and that Capcom was equally pleased with the sole sales of '']''). ''Resident Evil'' (remake) and ''Resident Evil Zero'' would remain GameCube exclusives.{{Fact|date=July 2007}}


Kobayashi was responsible for the design of some of the final game's enemies, such as the Regenerators.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/05/14/e3-2004-resident-evil-4-interview|title=E3 2004: Resident Evil 4 Interview - IGN|date=May 14, 2004|via=www.ign.com|access-date=July 1, 2022|archive-date=July 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220701041054/https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/05/14/e3-2004-resident-evil-4-interview|url-status=live}}</ref> Kobayashi described the creatures' origins within universe lore as byproducts of Los Iluminados' research into bio organic weapons, malformed creations implanted with multiple ''Plaga'' parasites during the experimentation process.<ref name="auto">Koichi Hamamura, ed (2006) (in Japanese). biohazard4 kaitaishinsho revised edition. ]. ISBN 4-7577-2638-4.</ref> Regenerators are designed to take distinct heavy breaths before they are seen, which alerts the player to their presence. When encountered, often in small confined spaces, they would walk slowly towards the player character. The Regenerator is capable of continuously regenerating itself and cannot easily be dispatched unless the player is able to find the ''Plaga'' parasites within its body, which can only be seen with the infrared scope, and specifically target them first.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://gamingbolt.com/resident-evil-4-remake-15-things-it-needs-to-do|title=Resident Evil 4 Remake – 15 Things It Needs To Do|website=GamingBolt|access-date=July 1, 2022|archive-date=July 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220701041053/https://gamingbolt.com/resident-evil-4-remake-15-things-it-needs-to-do|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="auto2"/><ref name="auto3">{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/features/438643-scariest-video-game-enemies|title=The Scariest Video Game Enemies Ever|date=October 4, 2018|website=GameRevolution|access-date=July 1, 2022|archive-date=July 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220701042555/https://www.gamerevolution.com/features/438643-scariest-video-game-enemies|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="auto4">{{Cite web|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/games/best-resident-evil-bosses-monsters-ranked/|title=15 Best Resident Evil Bosses and Monsters Ranked|date=May 6, 2021|website=Den of Geek|access-date=July 1, 2022|archive-date=July 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220701013652/https://www.denofgeek.com/games/best-resident-evil-bosses-monsters-ranked/|url-status=live}}</ref> During an interview with ], Mikami explained that elements like the Regenerators help maintain the survival horror aspect of ''Resident Evil 4'' as a balance between a "scary kind of gameplay and the challenge of overcoming that fear", with the goal of giving players a sense of achievement when they manage to overcome the monster.<ref name="auto5">{{Cite web|url=https://www.usgamer.net/articles/actually-resident-evil-4-was-plenty-scary|title=Actually, Resident Evil 4 Was Plenty Scary|first=Kat|last=Bailey|date=January 11, 2020|website=USGamer|access-date=July 1, 2022|archive-date=January 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111072533/https://www.usgamer.net/articles/actually-resident-evil-4-was-plenty-scary|url-status=dead}}</ref>
On ] ], ] announced that they would be publishing the game on the ].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.ubi.com/UK/News/Info.aspx?nId=3754 | title = Resident Evil 4, Onimusha 3: Demon Siege and Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening Special Edition coming to PCs beginning February 2006 | publisher = ] | date = ] | accessdate=2007-01-28}}</ref>


The English voice actors recorded their parts in four sessions, over three to four months.<ref name="cary">{{cite web |first=Chris|last=Carle|title=Babe Interview: Carolyn Lawrence|date=August 2, 2005|website=IGN|url=http://stars.ign.com/articles/663/663669p1.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071122182003/http://stars.ign.com/articles/663/663669p1.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 22, 2007|pages=2–3|access-date=June 4, 2008}}</ref> Capcom assigned Shinsaku Ohara as script translator and voice over coordinator.<ref name="credits">{{cite video game |title=Resident Evil 4 |date=October 25, 2005 |developer=] |publisher=] |platform=] |scene=staff credits of main game and "Separate Ways"}}</ref> ], who provided the voice for Ashley Graham, described her character as "vulnerable, because Leon has to come to her rescue all the time".<ref name="cary"/> She also described Kennedy's character as "more brawn, perhaps, than brain".<ref name="cary"/> In addition to the voice acting, the game's designer detailed each cinematic sequence so that each character's facial expressions matched the tone of their voice actor.<ref name="dvd"/>
On ] ], a ] version was revealed to be in production, and was launched later in the year. The game features all of the extras in the PS2 version, along with other additions, including a trailer for '']''. The extra material, improved graphics and the use of the ] was praised by critics. One review labelled it as the ultimate version of the game.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://wii.ign.com/articles/797/797837p2.html | title = Resident Evil 4: Wii Edition Review | publisher = ] | date = ] | accessdate=2007-07-16}}</ref>


Along with '']'' and '']'', two side story games that did not fall under the exclusive policy, it was announced on October 31, 2004 that ''Resident Evil 4'' would come to the PlayStation 2 in 2005, citing increased profit, changing market conditions, and increased consumer satisfaction as the key reasons. The PlayStation 2 version included new features, primarily a new sub-game featuring Ada Wong. On February 1, 2006, ] announced that they would be publishing the game on the PC for ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ubi.com/UK/News/Info.aspx?nId=3754 |title=Resident Evil 4, Onimusha 3: Demon Siege and Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening Special Edition coming to PCs beginning February 2006 |publisher=] |date=February 1, 2006 |access-date=January 28, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070311160457/http://www.ubi.com/UK/News/Info.aspx?nId=3754 |archive-date=March 11, 2007 }}</ref> On April 4, 2007, a ] version was announced and was launched later in the year. The game features all of the extras in the PS2 version, along with other additions, including a trailer for '']''.<ref name="joystiqwii"/><ref name="cubed3wii"/>
Despite the fact that ''Resident Evil 4'' later appeared on other platforms, the GameCube version sold over 500,000 units in the United States alone, earned several Game of the Year awards, achieved ] status, and became available at a reduced cost from $49.99 to $19.99.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.gamespot.com/gamecube/adventure/residentevil4/news.html?sid=6143404&mode=press | title = Capcom's RE 4 Achieves Player's Choice and Earns Game of the Year Awards | publisher = ] | accessdate=2007-05-04}}</ref>


==Release==
==Special editions and bonuses==
The original version for the GameCube featured two different collector's editions. The first was available as a pre-order that included the game, the ''Prologue'' art book, and a T-shirt. ] offered another limited edition that was packaged in a tin box with the art book, a ] of Leon, and a soundtrack CD.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cube.gamespy.com/gamecube/resident-evil-4-collectors-tin|title=Resident Evil 4 Collector's Tin (GCN)|publisher=]|access-date=January 28, 2007|archive-date=July 23, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120723014007/http://cube.gamespy.com/gamecube/resident-evil-4-collectors-tin/|url-status=live}}</ref> Australia received an exclusive collector's edition that came with the game and a bonus disc with interviews and creator's footage.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.cube.ign.com/objects/743/743771.html|title=Resident Evil 4 (Australian Collector's Edition)|website=IGN|access-date=October 20, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121111105245/http://www.ign.com/games/biohazard-4-bonus-disc/gcn-743771|archive-date=November 11, 2012|df=mdy-all}}</ref> ] handled marketing sales and distribution of the title in Europe and Australia.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/nintendo-plans-horror-film-promotions-for-resident-evil-4 | title=Nintendo plans horror film promotions for Resident Evil 4 | date=February 21, 2005 }}</ref>
* Before the released date of Resident Evil 4, ] offered a pre-orderable collector's pack that was found only through the website itself. this collectable pack, limited to only 100 in existence, included the Resident Evil 4 game, A Prologue Art Book, and a white t-shirt with a black logo of the name on the front, and ] website address on the back.


===Ports===
* Another pre-order was established for the Playstation 2, in both a standard and collector's bundle. the standard package ($39.95) included the game and a dark blue t-shirt (with a small Capcom logo printed on the left, front side of the shirt, with the Playstation 2 game cover on the back and the resident evil website on the lower bottom). The '''collector's bundle''' ($119.95) included the game and t- shirt, as well as a ] figurine, sculpted by ] , and a black '''Biohazard Sound Chronicle Best Track Box''', that contains 6 cds in solid black cases and a cd booklet with information on lists of selected songs. This was quickly sold out, and a second press was released that did not include Leon Kennedy but ] instead. This version was unknown whether it was limited to 100 or not.
''Resident Evil 4'' was ported to the PlayStation 2 after Capcom stated that it did not fall under the exclusivity deal with ]. It was released in North America on October 25, 2005. The largest addition is "Separate Ways", a new scenario for Ada written by Haruo Murata.<ref name="credits" /> According to producer Masachika Kawata, the Separate Ways campaign was something thought up by the PS2 porting team and was added after getting approval from Shinji Mikami.<ref></ref> The port was later included with '']{{Broken anchor|date=2024-05-26|bot=User:Cewbot/log/20201008/configuration|target_link=Resident Evil – Code: Veronica#Code: Veronica X and HD Remaster|reason= The anchor (Code: Veronica X and HD Remaster) ].}}'' and '']'' as part of the compilation ''Resident Evil: The Essentials''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.ps2.ign.com/objects/951/951224.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071105025059/http://uk.ps2.ign.com/objects/951/951224.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 5, 2007|title=Resident Evil: The Essentials – PS2|website=IGN|access-date=September 6, 2011}}</ref> The PlayStation 2 version featured two standard and collector's bundles from pre-orders. The standard package included the game and a T-shirt, while the collector's bundle also included a figurine of Leon, and the soundtrack ''Biohazard Sound Chronicle Best Track Box''. This quickly sold out, and a second pressing was released that included an Ada figurine. Another, called the ''Resident Evil 4: Premium Edition'', was packaged in a SteelBook media case, along with the art book, a documentary DVD, and a cel art of Ada.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ps2.ign.com/articles/668/668035p4.html|title=Resident Evil 4: Premium Edition|last=Mirabella III|first=Fran|website=IGN|date=November 18, 2005|access-date=January 28, 2007|archive-date=November 6, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106174401/http://www.ign.com/articles/2005/11/18/resident-evil-4-premium-edition?page=4|url-status=live}}</ref>


A PC port of ''Resident Evil 4'' developed by Sourcenext was released in Hong Kong on February 1, 2007, published by ]. It was released in Europe, North America, and Australia in March 2007 and was published by ]. The port contains the bonus features from the PS2 version, such as "Separate Ways", the P.R.L. 412 laser cannon and a second set of unlockable costumes for Leon and Ashley, as well as an Easy difficulty level. It also supports multiple widescreen resolutions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ea.com.tw/Products/Products_Info.aspx?ID=628|title=Biohazard 4|publisher=]|access-date=July 12, 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080229065852/http://www.ea.com.tw/Products/Products_Info.aspx?ID=628|archive-date=February 29, 2008|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The shadow and lighting problems were fixed in the only patch, Version 1.10.<ref name="re4pcpatch">{{cite web |url=http://www.strategyinformer.com/pc/residentevil4/patch/13395.html?details=1 |title=Resident Evil 4 PC 1.10 Patch |publisher=Strategy Informer |access-date=April 11, 2011 |archive-date=March 18, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120318022616/http://www.strategyinformer.com/pc/residentevil4/patch/13395.html?details=1 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* During the GameCube launch, the retailer chain ] released ''Resident Evil 4'' in a limited special edition, packaged in a tin box, along with an artwork book about the story of the series, a ] of Leon, and a soundtrack CD.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://cube.gamespy.com/gamecube/resident-evil-4-collectors-tin | title = Resident Evil 4 Collector's Tin (GCN) | publisher = ] | accessdate = 2007-01-28}}</ref>


''Resident Evil 4: Wii Edition'' was released for the ] on May 31, 2007 in Japan and on June 19, 2007 in the United States. It features updated controls that utilize the ] and ] abilities of the ] and ], though both the GameCube controller and the ] are also supported.<ref name="cubed3wii">{{cite web|first=Mike|last=Mason|url=http://www.cubed3.com/review/507|title=Resident Evil 4 Wii Edition|publisher=Cubed3|date=August 27, 2007|access-date=September 3, 2011|archive-date=March 8, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308092538/http://www.cubed3.com/review/507/|url-status=live}}</ref> The Wii Remote is able to aim and shoot anywhere on the screen with a ] that replaces the laser sight found in the other versions, and motion-based gestures are used to perform some context-sensitive actions, such as dodging or slashing. The ''Wii Edition'' also includes the extra content from the PS2 and PC versions, and a trailer for '']''.<ref name="joystiqwii">{{cite web|url=http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/04/resident-evil-4-on-wii-official-umbrella-chronicles-an-on-rails|title=Resident Evil 4 on Wii official, Umbrella Chronicles an on-rails shooter|last=McElroy|first=Justin|publisher=Joystiq|date=April 4, 2007|access-date=April 4, 2007|archive-date=October 13, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121013192843/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/04/resident-evil-4-on-wii-official-umbrella-chronicles-an-on-rails|url-status=live}}</ref> The ''Wii Edition'' became available for ] from the ]'s ] in Europe on October 29, 2015.<ref name="-DigitalSpyWiiEdition-eShop">{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/gaming/news/a675355/resident-evil-4-wii-edition-is-coming-soon-to-the-wii-u-eshop.html#~psvFRQKUvGYLZf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151031102203/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/gaming/news/a675355/resident-evil-4-wii-edition-is-coming-soon-to-the-wii-u-eshop.html |title=''Resident Evil 4: Wii Edition'' is coming soon to the Wii U eShop |first=Albaraa |last=Fahmy |work=] |publisher=] |date=October 24, 2015 |access-date=October 29, 2015 |archive-date=October 31, 2015 |url-status=live |df=mdy }}</ref><ref name="NinLife-Oct29-Nintendo-eShop">{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2015/10/nintendo_download_29th_october_europe |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151028230315/http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2015/10/nintendo_download_29th_october_europe |title=Nintendo Download: 29th October (Europe) |first=Thomas |last=Whitehead |work=] |publisher=Gamer Network |date=October 29, 2015 |access-date=October 29, 2015 |archive-date=October 28, 2015 |url-status=live |df=mdy }}</ref>
* The PlayStation 2 also saw a special edition, (but official, released by Capcom itself), packaged in a "fake tin" plastic case, along with the artwork book, a documentary DVD, and a cel art of Ada.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://ps2.ign.com/articles/668/668035p4.html | title = Resident Evil 4: Premium Edition | author = Mirabella, Fran | publisher = ] | date = ] | accessdate = 2007-01-28}}</ref>


''Resident Evil 4: Mobile Edition'' was released in Japan for ]'s BREW 4.0 on February 1, 2008. It was announced by Capcom at TGS 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wireless.ign.com/articles/822/822381p1.html|title=Resident Evil 4 Mobile|last=Onyett|first=Charles|website=IGN|date=September 22, 2007|access-date=September 22, 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140129152148/http://www.ign.com/articles/2007/09/22/tgs-2007-resident-evil-4-mobile-report|archive-date=January 29, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Differences from the original include changing the flow of the story from being continuous to being divided into sections such as "Village", "Ravene", "Fortress" and "Subterranean Tunnel". There is also a more challenging Mercenary Mode.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.inside-games.jp/article/2008/02/01/26766.html|title=『バイオハザード4』auの携帯電話版の配信スタート|trans-title=Delivery start of the mobile phone version of Resident Evil 4 au|author=水口真|publisher=Inside|language=ja|date=February 1, 2008|access-date=October 26, 2011|archive-date=February 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160207100257/http://www.inside-games.jp/article/2008/02/01/26766.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.capcom.co.jp/keitai/ezweb/brew_bio_mobile.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080619054415/http://www.capcom.co.jp/keitai/ezweb/brew_bio_mobile.html|archive-date=June 19, 2008|title=Mobile Capcom}}</ref> The game uses the MascotCapsule eruption engine<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hicorp.co.jp/english/product/eruption.html |title=Hi Corp. Product Information|publisher=HI Corp|access-date=January 5, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110804040731/http://www.hicorp.co.jp/english/product/eruption.html|archive-date=August 4, 2011}}</ref> and was adapted to the ] and ] platforms.<ref>{{cite web|first=Justin|last=McElroy|url=http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/10/resident-evil-4-mobile-edition-ported-to-zeebo/|title=Resident Evil 4: Mobile Edition ported to Zeebo|publisher=Joystiq|date=November 10, 2009|access-date=September 6, 2011|archive-date=October 21, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021053734/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/10/resident-evil-4-mobile-edition-ported-to-zeebo/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="res4ios"/> On July 13, 2009, without any formal announcement, ''Resident Evil 4: Mobile Edition'' was released by Capcom for the iOS platform via the ] in Japan, but was quickly removed,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://toucharcade.com/2009/07/13/resident-evil-4-mobile-edition-video-accidental-early-release/ |title='Resident Evil 4' Mobile Edition Video, Accidental Early Release? |date=July 13, 2009 |publisher=Touch Arcade |access-date=July 15, 2009 |archive-date=October 16, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121016054845/http://toucharcade.com/2009/07/13/resident-evil-4-mobile-edition-video-accidental-early-release/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://wireless.ign.com/articles/100/1003474p1.html |title=Resident Evil 4 for iPhone |author=Buchanan, Levi |date=July 14, 2009 |website=IGN |access-date=July 15, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090717054350/http://wireless.ign.com/articles/100/1003474p1.html |archive-date=July 17, 2009 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> though some players were able to purchase and download it. The game has since been released in Japan and North America.<ref name="res4ios">{{cite web |url=http://wireless.ign.com/articles/100/1003815p1.html |title=Resident Evil 4 Gets Date |last=Buchanan |first=Levi |date=July 15, 2009 |website=IGN |access-date=July 15, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130330211613/http://www.ign.com/articles/2009/07/15/resident-evil-4-gets-date |archive-date=March 30, 2013 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Later, Capcom made an update that had different difficulty levels and high scores. Capcom released a new separate version called ''Resident Evil 4 for Beginners'', which offers the first two levels (three counting a training level) of both Story Mode and Mercenary Mode. However, the rest of the levels are available for purchase in-game as downloadable content. Due to the release of the ], Capcom recreated the iPhone version of ''Resident Evil 4: Mobile Edition'' and updated it to HD graphics as ''Resident Evil 4: iPad Edition''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pr-inside.com/capcom-announces-resident-evil-r-r1812880.htm |title=Capcom announces "Resident Evil 4: iPad Edition" |date=April 3, 2010 |publisher=PR-Inside |access-date=April 4, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429192506/http://www.pr-inside.com/capcom-announces-resident-evil-r-r1812880.htm |archive-date=April 29, 2011 }}</ref>
* Game developer ] also made a special chainsaw controller. This controller is a reference to ''Dr. Salvador'', the chainsaw-wielding Ganado. The GameCube version is colored yellow, while the PlayStation 2 controller has an orange color.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://gear.ign.com/articles/666/666241p1.html | title = Dueling Chainsaws! | author = Block, Gerry | publisher = ] | date = ] | accessdate = 2007-07-12}}</ref> The controller is very detailed in appearance (which features blood-stains and a bloody image of Leon). However, due to its less-than-ideal layout and cost, it is seen more as a collector's item rather than an enhancement to the gameplay. The Chainsaw controller also contains motion sensitivity in the PS2 version only; raising and lowering the controller can be used as a mechanism to make Leon take aim with his weapon.


On March 23, 2011, ] remastered versions of both '']'' and ''Resident Evil 4'' were announced to be in development for the ] and ], as part of the ''Resident Evil: Revival Selection'' series.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://andriasang.com/comui9/ |title=Here's What's Known About Resident Evil Revival Selection |last=Gantayat |first=Anoop |date=March 23, 2011 |publisher=andriasang |access-date=March 23, 2011 |archive-date=July 1, 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120701110330/http://andriasang.com/comui9/re_revival_selection/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The ports feature all the bonus content from the previous releases, including "Separate Ways". On July 23, 2011, Capcom announced at Comic-Con 2011 that ''Resident Evil 4'' would be released on September 20, 2011<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.impre.com/la-gente-dice/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978879963 |title=More info on Resident Evil Revival Selection |last=Gantayat |first=Anoop |date=March 23, 2011 |publisher=andriasang |access-date=July 23, 2011 |archive-date=November 25, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111125021737/http://www.impre.com/la-gente-dice/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978879963 |url-status=live }}</ref> for the ] and ].<ref>{{cite web |first=Jim |last=Reilly |url=http://ps3.ign.com/articles/115/1157430p1.html |title=Resident Evil 4 HD Hitting PSN and Xbox Live |date=March 24, 2011 |website=IGN |access-date=April 26, 2011 |archive-date=March 22, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160322015144/http://ps3.ign.com/articles/115/1157430p1.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In Japan, ''Resident Evil 4'' and ''Resident Evil - Code: Veronica'' were released on a single disc with the title ''Biohazard Revival Selection'' on September 8, 2011.<ref>{{cite web|first=Eddie|last=Makuch|url=http://comic-con.gamespot.com/story/6324933/resident-evil-4-code-veronica|title=Resident Evil 4, Code: Veronica X HD lurch to US in September|website=GameSpot|date=July 23, 2011|access-date=September 4, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006043829/http://comic-con.gamespot.com/story/6324933/resident-evil-4-code-veronica|archive-date=October 6, 2011|df=mdy-all}}</ref> For North America and Europe, both games, including ''Resident Evil 4 HD'', were only released as downloads on Xbox Live Games on Demand and PlayStation Network.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.capcom-unity.com/gregaman/blog/2011/07/27/resident_evil_hd_titles_dated,_priced,_gameplay_videod|title=Resident Evil HD Titles Dated, Priced, Gameplay Video'd|publisher=Capcom-Unity|date=July 27, 2011|access-date=September 4, 2011|archive-date=September 10, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110910074336/http://www.capcom-unity.com/gregaman/blog/2011/07/27/resident_evil_hd_titles_dated,_priced,_gameplay_videod|url-status=live}}</ref> On February 27, 2014, Capcom released ''Resident Evil 4 Ultimate HD Edition'' for ]. The port features improved graphics and many other enhancements that were included in ''Resident Evil 4 HD''. ''Resident Evil 4'' was re-released on ] and ] on August 30, 2016.
*NECA made a license agreement with Capcom to sculp action figures of characters based on the game.


In April 2013, ''Resident Evil 4'' was released on ], but outside of Japan, it is exclusive to ] through ].<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160410025517/http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/Android/Resident+Evil+4%3A+Platinum/news.asp?c=50328 |date=April 10, 2016 }}. April 2013</ref>
* Available in Japan for purchase for a short time was a "Leon S. Kennedy" outfit package. It contained Leon's fur jacket, a pair of Leon's boots, and a "G=virus" sample vial filled with cologne.


Capcom announced in October 2018 that ''Resident Evil 4'' would be published for the ] sometime in 2019, along with releases of '']'' and '']''.<ref>{{Cite web | url = https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2018-10-26-resident-evil-4-headed-to-nintendo-switch | title = Resident Evil 4 headed to Nintendo Switch | first = Tom | last = Phillips | date = October 26, 2018 | access-date = October 26, 2018 | work = ] | archive-date = October 26, 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181026214646/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2018-10-26-resident-evil-4-headed-to-nintendo-switch | url-status = live }}</ref> All three games were released on May 21, 2019 worldwide and on May 23, 2019 in Japan.
==Alternative versions==
===Regional differences===
The GameCube version of ''Resident Evil 4'' went through slight modifications in each regional release since the initial one. The North American version was the first and the original to be released, followed shortly by the Japanese version. These two versions are reportedly identical in most aspects (excluding localization), with the only difference being that animation involving ] was censored and removed from the Japanese version. This was presumably due to the fact that ''Resident Evil 4'' was the first game in the series (not including re-releases and ports) to be rated by the ], which objected to the game's depictions of decapitations.{{Fact|date=May 2007}} When Leon is killed by a chainsaw-wielding ganado, the chainsaw is pulled out before it severs his head. In Japan, the ''Assignment: Ada'' minigame is titled ''Ada the Spy''.


In October 2021, Capcom released a ] (VR) version of ''Resident Evil 4'' for the ]. Developed by the American ],<ref>{{cite news |last=McWhertor |first=Michael |url=https://www.polygon.com/22386233/resident-evil-4-vr-oculus-quest-2-facebook-capcom-armature |title=Resident Evil 4 is coming to VR |work=Polygon |date=2021-04-15 |access-date=2021-04-16 |archive-date=April 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415224225/https://www.polygon.com/22386233/resident-evil-4-vr-oculus-quest-2-facebook-capcom-armature |url-status=live }}</ref> many elements of gameplay like combat and inventory management were changed to accommodate VR.<ref name="re4vr-ign">{{cite news |last=Knoop |first=Joseph |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/resident-evil-4-vr-gameplay-and-graphic-changes-revealed |title=Resident Evil 4 VR Gameplay and Graphic Changes Revealed |work=] |date=2021-04-21 |access-date=2021-04-22 |archive-date=April 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210422165300/https://www.ign.com/articles/resident-evil-4-vr-gameplay-and-graphic-changes-revealed |url-status=live }}</ref> This version, which runs on ], also includes redesigned textures with increased resolution.<ref name="re4vr-ign"/> The developers and executive producer Tom Ivey stated that there were changes made to "update the game for a modern audience", and a number of in-game animations (such as the animation triggered when players attempted to look up Ashley's skirt), dialogue and flirtatious banter between characters were removed.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Phillips |first1=Tom |date=20 October 2021 |title=Resident Evil 4 VR version edits out several lines of dialogue |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-10-20-resident-evil-4-vr-version-includes-several-dialogue-cuts |access-date=20 October 2021 |website=] |publisher=] |archive-date=October 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020165711/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-10-20-resident-evil-4-vr-version-includes-several-dialogue-cuts |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Phillips |first=Tom |date=2022-04-20 |title=Resident Evil 4 VR developer on expanding Mercenaries mode and those campaign cuts |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/resident-evil-4-vr-developer-on-expanding-mercenaries-mode-and-those-campaign-cuts |website=] |publisher=] |access-date=April 23, 2022 |archive-date=April 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220423231636/https://www.eurogamer.net/resident-evil-4-vr-developer-on-expanding-mercenaries-mode-and-those-campaign-cuts |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kim |first=Matt |date=2021-10-20 |title=Resident Evil 4 VR Cuts Certain Content Including Voice Lines and Animations |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/resident-evil-4-vr-cut-content-ashley |access-date=2022-11-02 |website=] |publisher=Ziff Davis |archive-date=November 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221102200529/https://www.ign.com/articles/resident-evil-4-vr-cut-content-ashley |url-status=live }}</ref>
The PAL versions of the game went through several changes from the North American version. These changes include a new ''Easy'' mode and increased firepower in some guns.{{Fact|date=May 2007}} In addition, the listed firing speed for rifles has been changed to reflect their actual firing speed in the game more accurately.{{Fact|date=May 2007}}


===Merchandise===
In terms of violent content, all the ] versions are identical to the North American version. The exception is the German version of the game, which lacks the Mercenaries and Assignment: Ada minigames. Since all PAL versions include multiple localizations, the game sold in the ] is identical to the ] version. Only the language of the manual is different in each country. The ] and ]n version, however has all the original violence of the normal game and also includes the minigames that were removed from the German version while shipping with a German booklet.
''Biohazard 4 Original Soundtrack'' was released in Japan on December 22, 2005. It contains 62 compositions from the game and the 48-page ''Visual Booklet'' with liner notes from composers Shusaku Uchiyama and Misao Senbongi.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Biohazard-Resident-Evil-Original-Soundtrack/dp/B000E45MOQ|title=Biohazard 4 (Resident Evil 4) Original Soundtrack|website=Amazon|access-date=September 6, 2011|archive-date=March 22, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110322001916/http://www.amazon.com/Biohazard-Resident-Evil-Original-Soundtrack/dp/B000E45MOQ|url-status=live}}</ref> Other merchandise included figures by ],<ref>{{cite news|first=Ryan |last=Brookhart |title=Ryan Brookhart has a Preview of the Hot Toys RESIDENT EVIL 4 Figures |date=October 20, 2007 |url=http://www.collider.com/clubhouse/vortex/article.asp?aid=5818&tcid=6 |work=collider.com |access-date=May 21, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081004230658/http://www.collider.com/clubhouse/vortex/article.asp?aid=5818&tcid=6 |archive-date=October 4, 2008 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Daniel|last=Roswell|title=Resident Evil Figures|date=October 21, 2007|url=http://levelselect.co.uk/resident-evil-figures|work=levelselect.co.uk|access-date=May 21, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080529064637/http://levelselect.co.uk/resident-evil-figures/|archive-date=May 29, 2008|df=mdy-all}}</ref> ]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dreadcentral.com/reviews/resident-evil-4-series-one-figures |title=Resident Evil 4: Series One (Figures) &#124; Horror Movie, DVD, & Book Reviews, News, Interviews at Dread Central |publisher=Dreadcentral.com |date=November 22, 2005 |access-date=February 2, 2010 |archive-date=October 11, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121011131301/http://www.dreadcentral.com/reviews/resident-evil-4-series-one-figures |url-status=live }}</ref> and ].<ref>Jorge Bocanegra, {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160529234502/http://www.relyonhorror.com/latest-news/resident-evil-news/ada-wong-figure-joins-hot-toys%E2%80%99-resident-evil-line/ |date=May 29, 2016 }}, Rely on Horror, May 27, 2011</ref> ] has also created various miniature collectibles based on several main characters and enemies from ''Resident Evil 4''.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=KingZombie.com|url=http://kingzombie.com/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=4|title=Agatsuma Entertainment|access-date=May 21, 2008|archive-date=March 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305005335/http://kingzombie.com/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=4|url-status=live}}</ref> Two special controllers designed to resemble chainsaws were designed by NubyTech for use with the GameCube and PlayStation 2 versions.<ref>{{cite web|first=Gerry|last=Block|url=http://gear.ign.com/articles/666/666241p1.html|title=Dueling Chainsaws! NubyTech's GC and PS2 ''Resident Evil 4'' Chainsaws square off|website=IGN|date=November 11, 2005|access-date=September 5, 2011|archive-date=April 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160414003319/http://gear.ign.com/articles/666/666241p1.html|url-status=live}}</ref>


==Reception==
=== Exclusive features ===
===Reviews===
Capcom added new content made specifically for the PlayStation 2, and later added into the PC and Wii releases.
{{Video game reviews
| MC = NGC: 96/100<ref name="MC_NGC">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/resident-evil-4-2005/ |title=Resident Evil 4 for GameCube Reviews |work=] |publisher=] |access-date=January 20, 2016 |archive-date=August 20, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120820094116/http://www.metacritic.com/game/gamecube/resident-evil-4 |url-status=live }}</ref><br />PC: 76/100<ref name="MC_PC">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/resident-evil-4-2005/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=Resident Evil 4 (2005) for PC Reviews |work=] |publisher=] |access-date=April 2, 2023 |url-status=live |archive-date=April 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230402122555/https://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/resident-evil-4-2005 }}</ref><br />PC (''Ultimate HD Edition''): 79/100<ref name="MC_PCHD">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/resident-evil-4-hd/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=Resident Evil 4: Ultimate HD Edition for PC Reviews |work=] |publisher=] |access-date=March 18, 2023 |archive-date=March 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230318080922/https://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/resident-evil-4-ultimate-hd-edition |url-status=live }}</ref><br />PS2: 96/100<ref name="MC_PS2">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/resident-evil-4/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2 |title=Resident Evil 4 for PlayStation 2 Reviews |work=] |publisher=] |access-date=January 20, 2016 |archive-date=June 26, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120626001155/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/resident-evil-4 |url-status=live }}</ref><br />PS3: 84/100<ref name="MS_PS3">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/resident-evil-4-hd/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-3 |title=Resident Evil 4 HD for PlayStation 3 Reviews |work=] |publisher=] |access-date=January 20, 2016 |archive-date=June 26, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120626102838/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-3/resident-evil-4-hd |url-status=live }}</ref><br />Wii: 91/100<ref name="MC_Wii">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/resident-evil-4-2005/critic-reviews/?platform=wii |title=Resident Evil 4: Wii Edition Reviews |work=] |publisher=] |access-date=January 20, 2016 |archive-date=February 17, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120217163930/http://www.metacritic.com/game/wii/resident-evil-4-wii-edition |url-status=live }}</ref><br />X360: 84/100<ref name="MS_360">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/resident-evil-4-hd/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-360 |title=Resident Evil 4 HD for Xbox 360 Reviews |work=] |publisher=] |access-date=January 20, 2016 |archive-date=June 24, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120624060234/http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-360/resident-evil-4-hd |url-status=live }}</ref>
| 1UP = NGC: A<ref>{{cite web|first=Shane|last=Bettenhausen|url=http://www.1up.com/reviews/resident-evil-4_9|title=Review: Resident Evil 4 (GameCube)|publisher=1UP|date=February 2, 2005|access-date=March 16, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131204062133/http://www.1up.com/reviews/resident-evil-4_9|archive-date=December 4, 2013|df=mdy-all}}</ref><br />PC: A<ref>{{cite web|first=James|last=Mielke|url=http://www.1up.com/reviews/resident-evil-4_2|title=Review: Resident Evil 4 (PC)|publisher=1UP|date=June 19, 2007|access-date=March 16, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110055155/http://www.1up.com/reviews/resident-evil-4_2|archive-date=November 10, 2012|df=mdy-all}}</ref><br />Wii: B+<ref>{{cite web|first=James|last=Mielke|url=http://www.1up.com/reviews/resident-evil-4|title=Review: Resident Evil 4 (WII)|publisher=1UP|date=June 19, 2007|access-date=August 4, 2022|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111128192124/http://www.1up.com/reviews/resident-evil-4|archive-date=November 28, 2011|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
| Edge = NGC: 9/10<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=March 2005 |title=''Resident Evil 4'' |magazine=] |publisher=] |pages=76}}</ref>
| Fam = Wii: 38/40<ref name="ignfamitsu"/>
| GSpot = NGC: 9.6/10<ref name="gamespotgc"/><br />PC: 7.8/10<ref name="gamespotpc"/><br />PS2: 9.3/10<ref>Kasavin, Greg (October 24, 2005). " {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090723075243/http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/adventure/residentevil4/review.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=gssummary&tag=summary;read-review |date=July 23, 2009 }}". GameSpot. Retrieved on February 5, 2009.</ref><br />Wii: 9.1/10<ref name="gamespotwii"/>
| GSpy = NGC: 5/5<ref>{{cite web|first=Ryan|last=O'Donnell|url=http://cube.gamespy.com/gamecube/resident-evil-4/577819p1.html|title=GameSpy: Resident Evil 4 Review (GameCube)|publisher=]|date=January 6, 2005|access-date=February 6, 2009|archive-date=February 23, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120223153542/http://cube.gamespy.com/gamecube/resident-evil-4/577819p1.html|url-status=live}}</ref><br />PC: 3.5/5<ref>{{cite web|first = Li|last = C. Kuo|url = http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/resident-evil-4/794657p1.html|title = GameSpy: Resident Evil 4 Review (PC)|publisher = ]|date = June 6, 2007|access-date = April 18, 2012|archive-date = March 4, 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304085114/http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/resident-evil-4/794657p1.html|url-status = live}}</ref><br />PS2: 5/5<ref>{{cite web|first=Sterling|last=McGarvey|url=http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/resident-evil-4/662600p1.html|title=GameSpy: Resident Evil 4 Review (PS2)|publisher=GameSpy|date=October 28, 2005|access-date=February 6, 2009|archive-date=May 31, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120531011750/http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/resident-evil-4/662600p1.html|url-status=live}}</ref><br />Wii: 5/5<ref>{{cite web|first=Bryn|last=Williams|url=http://wii.gamespy.com/wii/biohazard-umbrella-chronicles/797383p1.html|title=GameSpy: Resident Evil 4: Wii Edition Review|publisher=GameSpy|date=June 18, 2007|access-date=February 6, 2009|archive-date=June 19, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120619054500/http://wii.gamespy.com/wii/biohazard-umbrella-chronicles/797383p1.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
| IGN = NGC: 9.8/10<ref name="ign"/><br />PC: 7.7/10<ref name="ignpc"/><br />PS2: 9.5/10<ref>Mirabella III, Fran (October 21, 2005). " {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160317220701/http://ps2.ign.com/articles/660/660397p1.html |date=March 17, 2016 }}". IGN. Retrieved on February 5, 2009.</ref><br />PS3: 8.5/10<ref>Audrey Drake, {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130126030556/http://www.ign.com/articles/2011/09/21/resident-evil-4-hd-review |date=January 26, 2013 }}, IGN, September 20, 2011</ref><br />Wii: 9/10<ref name="IGN_Wii">{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2007/06/19/resident-evil-4-wii-edition-review?page=2|title=Resident Evil 4: Wii Edition Review|last=Casamassina|first=Matt|date=June 19, 2007|work=]|publisher=]|access-date=January 20, 2016|archive-date=April 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160416140552/http://www.ign.com/articles/2007/06/19/resident-evil-4-wii-edition-review?page=2|url-status=live}}</ref>
| NP = NGC: 10/10<ref name=nintendopower />
| OXM = X360: 9/10<ref name="oxmreview">{{cite magazine|first=Mitch|last=Dyer|title=Resident Evil 4 HD review|url=http://www.oxmonline.com/resident-evil-4-hd-review|magazine=]|date=September 20, 2011|access-date=April 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110925003736/http://www.oxmonline.com/resident-evil-4-hd-review|archive-date=September 25, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| PCGUS = PC: 85/100<ref>{{cite web|first=Wes|last=Fenlon|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/resident-evil-4-hd-review/|title=Resident Evil 4 HD review|website=]|date=February 28, 2014|access-date=March 31, 2023|archive-date=February 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220120353/https://www.pcgamer.com/resident-evil-4-hd-review/|url-status=live}}</ref>
}}
The GameCube and PlayStation 2 versions of ''Resident Evil 4'' have a score of 96/100 on ], indicating "universal acclaim".<ref name="MC_NGC"/><ref name="MC_PS2"/> These versions have ].<ref>{{cite web |title=Best Video Games for 2005 |url=https://www.metacritic.com/browse/game/?releaseYearMin=2005&releaseYearMax=2005&page=1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241219074341/https://www.metacritic.com/browse/game/?releaseYearMin=2005&releaseYearMax=2005&page=1 |archive-date=December 19, 2024 |access-date=December 19, 2024 |website=Metacritic}}</ref> In addition to the gameplay, the characters and story received positive commentary, leading to the finished product being deemed by most as ]. '']''{{'}}s ] praised the voice acting, but claimed that it was betrayed by "some uncharacteristically goofy dialogue".<ref name="gamespotgc">{{cite web|first=Greg |last=Kasavin |title=Resident Evil 4 for GameCube Review|date=January 10, 2005|website=]|url=http://www.gamespot.com/gamecube/adventure/residentevil4/review.html|access-date=May 17, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050206033150/http://www.gamespot.com/gamecube/adventure/residentevil4/review.html|archive-date=February 6, 2005}}</ref> '']''{{'}} Adam Pavlacka and ''GameSpot''{{'}}s Kevin VanOrd acclaimed Capcom for adding great amounts of detail to the characters.<ref name="gamespotwii">{{cite web|first=Kevin|last=VanOrd|title=Resident Evil 4: Wii Edition|date=June 19, 2007|website=]|url=http://www.gamespot.com/wii/action/residentevil4/review.html|access-date=May 18, 2008|archive-date=October 10, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111010193810/http://www.gamespot.com/wii/action/residentevil4/review.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Adam|last=Pavlacka|title=Resident Evil 4 (PS2)|date=October 27, 2005|publisher=]|url=http://videogames.yahoo.com/ps2/resident-evil-4/review-408114|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216071443/http://videogames.yahoo.com/ps2/resident-evil-4/review-408114|archive-date=December 16, 2008 |access-date=May 18, 2008}}</ref> '']''{{'}}s ] went into further detail in his review for ''Resident Evil 4'', praising not only the detailed character design but also the ] and three-dimensional modeling within cinematic sequences.<ref name="ign">{{cite web|first=Matt|last=Casamassina|title=IGN: Resident Evil 4 Review|date=January 7, 2005|website=IGN|url=http://cube.ign.com/articles/577/577841p1.html|access-date=May 17, 2008|archive-date=May 17, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517002822/http://cube.ign.com/articles/577/577841p1.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Casamassina also complimented the voice actors, especially ] (Leon), commenting, "For once, the characters are believable because Capcom has hired competent actors to supply their voices. Leon in particular is very well produced".<ref name="ign"/> ''IGN'' and '']'' specifically recognized ''Resident Evil 4''{{'}}s character design and voice acting. The increased variety of weapons has been praised by gaming publications such as '']''<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.gamepro.com/article/features/48779/resident-evil-4-weapons-of-mass-destruction-guide/|title=Feature: ''Resident Evil 4'' – Weapons of Mass Destruction Guide|magazine=]|date=May 10, 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081221132424/http://www.gamepro.com/article/features/48779/resident-evil-4-weapons-of-mass-destruction-guide/|archive-date=December 21, 2008}}</ref> and ''Game Over Online''.<ref name="Review of Resident Evil 4">{{cite web|first=Thomas|last=Wilde|url=http://www.game-over.net/reviews.php?page=gamecubereviews&id=92|title=Review of ''Resident Evil 4''|publisher=Game Over Online Magazine|date=February 14, 2005|access-date=September 6, 2011|archive-date=November 13, 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051113070345/http://www.game-over.net/reviews.php?page=gamecubereviews&id=92|url-status=live}}</ref> ] TV show '']'' gave it a 5 out of 5, for introducing a new style of gameplay for the series as well as incorporating moments where the player would have to interact with the cut scenes. Not long after, it was awarded as the best game ever reviewed on the show.<ref>{{cite web|first1=Adam |last1=Sessler |first2=Morgan |last2=Webb |title=Review of Resident Evil 4 (GameCube) |date=February 1, 2005 |publisher=] |url=http://www.g4tv.com/videos/9020/x-play-review-resident-evil-4 |access-date=February 27, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130310131106/http://www.g4tv.com/videos/9020/x-play-review-resident-evil-4/ |archive-date=March 10, 2013 }}</ref> The makers of ''Resident Evil 4'' worked on various innovations associated with the use and inventory of weapons.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cube.ign.com/articles/568/568644p1.html|title=''Resident Evil 4'': Capcom reveals a ton of new details on weapon upgrades, the new inventory system, controlling Ashley and more|website=IGN|date=November 23, 2004|access-date=September 6, 2011|archive-date=April 3, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120403025901/http://cube.ign.com/articles/568/568644p1.html|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Game Over'' stated that players can use the vast array of weapons to "go for headshots now".<ref name="Review of Resident Evil 4"/> '']'' stated that ammunition is more plentiful in ''Resident Evil 4'' than in other games in the series, making it more action-oriented.<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Chris |last=Cook|url=http://www.gameinformer.com/News/Story/200501/N05.0110.1105.14613.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080520060756/http://www.gameinformer.com/News/Story/200501/N05.0110.1105.14613.htm|archive-date=May 20, 2008|title=''Resident Evil 4'' Hands-On Impressions And Movies|magazine=]|date=January 10, 2005}}</ref>


The ratings of the PC port, along with the ''Ultimate HD Edition'' release, were not as high as for the other versions. The original PC port was criticized for no ] support and frustrating keyboard controls, low-quality ] ]s, and choppy lightning graphics rendering. Despite these problems, it received generally positive reviews from critics,<ref name="MC_PC"/> including ''IGN'' and ''GameSpot'', which praised the gameplay, character models and environments, and sound design.<ref name="gamespotpc">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/pc/adventure/residentevil4/review.html|title=Resident Evil 4 PC review|last=Vanord|first=Kevin|website=]|date=May 22, 2007|access-date=August 19, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011061334/http://www.gamespot.com/pc/adventure/residentevil4/review.html|archive-date=October 11, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="ignpc">Onyett, Charles (May 25, 2007)."". IGN. Retrieved on February 5, 2009.</ref> '']'' referred to the game's ''Ultimate HD Edition'' as "a bare-bones port of a nonetheless spectacular game", noting "minor superficial alterations" similar to the 2007 PC port and asserting that the true "Ultimate Edition" of ''Resident Evil 4'' is the Wii version.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/resident-evil-4-ultimate-hd-edition|title=Resident Evil 4 Ultimate HD Edition Review|website=Game Revolution|url-status=dead|access-date=March 31, 2023|archive-date=September 19, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150919090628/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/resident-evil-4-ultimate-hd-edition}}</ref> Japanese game magazine '']'' reviewed the Wii version, with two editors giving it a perfect 10 score, and the remaining pair giving it a 9, resulting in a score of 38 out of 40. The reviewers felt that the new controls offer something fresh. Multiple reviewers agreed that even those who own the original will find something fun and enjoyable in this version.<ref name="ignfamitsu">{{cite web|url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/790/790232p1.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070523233343/http://wii.ign.com/articles/790/790232p1.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 23, 2007|title=Famitsu Reviews RE4 Wii|last=Gantayat|first=Anoop |website=IGN|date=May 21, 2007|access-date=May 21, 2007}}</ref> British magazine '']'' gave the ''Wii Edition'' a score of 96%,<ref name="MC_Wii"/> slightly lower than the 97% given to the GameCube version. They praised the visuals, controls, and features and commented on the fact that such an "exceptional package" was on sale for a low price; however, when writing about the Wii controls, they said, "if you've played the GC version this won't be as special". '']'' gave the Wii version 94%, 3% less than the original due to it simply not having the same impact it did back then.<ref name="ONMwii">, '']'', January 4, 2008. Retrieved on February 5, 2009. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120104002544/http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/2264/reviewsresident-evil-4-wii-edition-review/ |date=January 4, 2012 }}</ref> In 2009, they went on to place the game 9th on a list of the greatest Nintendo games of all time.<ref name="100-ONM">{{cite web|url=http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/7327/features/100-best-nintendo-games-part-6/ |title=100 Best Nintendo Games – Part Six |work=] |publisher=] |first=Tom |last=East |access-date=September 9, 2022 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20110220232113/http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/7327/features/100-best-nintendo-games-part-6 |archive-date=February 20, 2011 }}</ref> ''IGN'' praised the Wii version, stating it is the superior edition, but does not push the Wii like it did with GameCube and PS2.<ref name="IGN_Wii"/> ''GameSpot'' praised the new controls of the ''Wii Edition'' but commented on the lack of exclusive Wii features.<ref name="gamespotwii"/> '']''{{'}}s Jonti Davies commended ''Resident Evil 4: Wii Edition'' for its "visual improvements" but criticized it for having "no new content".<ref>{{cite journal|last=Davies|first=Jonti|date=August 2007|title=Resident Evil 4: Wii Edition |journal=]|publisher=]|issue=166|pages=60, 61|issn=1320-7458}}</ref> The PS3 version of ''Resident Evil 4 HD'' received a score of 9.0 from '']'', which called it "a hallmark of excellence".<ref>Jonathan Holmes, {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160327174903/http://www.destructoid.com/review-resident-evil-4-hd-211686.phtml |date=March 27, 2016 }}, Destructoid, September 20, 2011</ref> In their October 2013 issue, '']'' retroactively awarded it ten out of ten.<ref name="edgeten">{{cite magazine |date=September 18, 2013 |title=The ten amendments: we crown seven games from the last 20 years of Edge with a retrospective 10 |url=http://www.edge-online.com/features/the-ten-amendments-we-crown-seven-games-from-the-last-20-years-of-edge-with-a-retrospective-10/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921110632/http://www.edge-online.com/features/the-ten-amendments-we-crown-seven-games-from-the-last-20-years-of-edge-with-a-retrospective-10 |archive-date=September 21, 2013 |access-date=February 22, 2014 |magazine=] |publisher=]}}</ref>
* '''Separate Ways''', a five chapter mini-game which revolves around ]’s involvement in '' Resident Evil 4'', and her connection to ], a former member of the Raccoon City ] unit, who is now attempting to revive Umbrella. During the mini-game, the player can use a pump-action shotgun and a bowgun with explosive arrows, two exclusive weapons. The Japanese version of the mini-game title is ''the another order''.
* '''''Ada's Report''''', a five-part documentary, which analyzes Ada’s relationship with Albert Wesker and his role in the plot. Players unlock portions of the documentary as they progress through the ''Separate Ways'' mini-game.
* '''New costume set''', one of which portrays Leon as a 1920s mobster, and puts Ashley in an indestructible suit of armor. Leon’s ] also has a ] as opposed to the regular box magazine. The other set contains Leon's costume from ].
* '''P.R.L. 412 (Plaga Removal Laser)''', a laser gun which can be used to stun or kill an enemy. Unlocked by beating the "Professional" difficulty setting.
* '''Movie Browser''', a feature that allows the player to view cut scenes from the both Separate Ways and the actual game. The feature is unlocked after a player beats the game.
* '''“Amateur” mode''', an easier difficulty setting which is exclusive to the Japanese version
* Support for widescreen televisions.


===PlayStation 2 port=== ===Awards===
''Resident Evil 4'' was named ] by multiple publications, including '']'',<ref>{{cite magazine |title=The Edge Awards 2005 |date=January 2006 |magazine=] |publisher=] |volume=158}}</ref> '']'',<ref>{{cite magazine |title=EGM's 2005 Games of the Year |date=March 2006 |magazine=] |publisher=] |page=82 |volume=201 |url=https://archive.org/details/electronicgamingmonthlyvol201march2006600dpi/Electronic%20Gaming%20Monthly%20Vol.%20201%20%28March%202006%29%20%28Searchable%29/page/n93/mode/2up}}</ref> '']'',<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gametrailers.com/video/top-ten-gt-countdown/8750 |title=GameTrailers Game of the Year 2005 |publisher=Gametrailers.com |date=25 July 2006 |access-date=31 July 2012 |archive-date=29 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120129223057/http://www.gametrailers.com/video/top-ten-gt-countdown/8750 |url-status=dead }}</ref> '']'',<ref name=gameinformer>{{cite magazine|title=Resident Evil 4|magazine=Game Informer|date=March 2005 |page=134}}</ref> '']'', '']'', '']'', and '']''. The game was also included in lists of the best games of 2005 by various media outlets, including '']'', '']'', ], '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', and '']''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 31, 2006 |archive-date=2006-02-06 |title=Capcom's Resident Evil 4 achieves Player's Choice status and earns numerous "Game of the Year" Accolades - GameCube News |url=http://gamecube.gamezone.com/news/01_31_06_11_01AM.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060206020242/http://gamecube.gamezone.com/news/01_31_06_11_01AM.htm |access-date=2023-06-08 |website=GameZone |url-status=dead}}</ref> '']'' labeled it the GameCube Game of the Year,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://goty.gamespy.com/2005/cube/index14.html |title=GameCube Winners Recap |website=] |access-date=2023-04-12 |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 30, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060130043147/http://goty.gamespy.com/2005/cube/index14.html }}</ref> the second PlayStation 2 Game of the Year (behind '']'')<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://goty.gamespy.com/2005/ps2/index20.html |title=PlayStation 2 Winners Recap |website=] |access-date=2023-04-12 |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 6, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060106052242/http://goty.gamespy.com/2005/ps2/index20.html }}</ref> and the second Game of the Year (behind '']'').<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://goty.gamespy.com/2005/overall/index9.html |title=Resident Evil 4 (GCN) |website=] |access-date=2023-04-12 |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 3, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070103193353/http://goty.gamespy.com/2005/overall/index9.html }}</ref> '']'' also labeled it the second Game of the Year, in addition to Best Graphics and Most Improved Sequel.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=2005's Best Games - The PSM 10 |date=February 2006 |magazine=] |publisher=] |page=36 |volume=107 |url=https://archive.org/details/psm-107-2006/page/n37/mode/2up}}</ref> At the ], ''Resident Evil 4'' was chosen Game of the Year,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/pages/features/bestof2005/index.php?day=6&page=1 |title=GameSpot's Best of 2005 - Game of the Year |publisher=GameSpot |access-date=31 July 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070105020203/http://www.gamespot.com/pages/features/bestof2005/index.php?day=6&page=1 |archive-date=5 January 2007 }}</ref> Best GameCube Game,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/pages/features/bestof2005/index.php?day=5&page=4 |title=GameSpot's Best of 2005 - Platform Awards |publisher=GameSpot |access-date=10 April 2023 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930222500/http://www.gamespot.com/pages/features/bestof2005/index.php?day=5&page=4 |archive-date=30 September 2007 }}</ref> Best Action Adventure Game,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/pages/features/bestof2005/index.php?day=4&page=1 |title=GameSpot's Best of 2005 - Genre Awards |publisher=GameSpot |access-date=10 April 2023 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930223201/http://www.gamespot.com/pages/features/bestof2005/index.php?day=4&page=1 |archive-date=30 September 2007 }}</ref> and Most Improved Sequel.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/pages/features/bestof2005/index.php?day=2&page=22 |title=GameSpot's Best of 2005 - Special Achievement Awards |publisher=GameSpot |access-date=10 April 2023 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121112142119/http://www.gamespot.com/pages/features/bestof2005/index.php?day=2&page=22 |archive-date=12 November 2012 }}</ref> It won Game of the Year, Best Action Game, Best Graphics Technology, Best Artistic Design, Best Original Score, and Best Use of Sound in the GameCube division of ],<ref>{{cite web|title=The Best of 2005 |website=IGN |url=http://bestof.ign.com/2005/cube |access-date=May 28, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517125059/http://bestof.ign.com/2005/cube/ |archive-date=May 17, 2008 }}</ref> where it also won Overall – Best Graphics Technology award,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://bestof.ign.com/2005/overall/13.html |title=IGN Overall Best Graphics Technology |website=IGN |access-date=March 1, 2023 |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 6, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131206074538/http://bestof.ign.com/2005/overall/13.html }}</ref> as well as being a runner-up in the Overall – Game of the Year and Overall – Best Action Game categories.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bestof.ign.com/2005/overall/25.html |title=IGN Overall Game of the Year 2005 |website=IGN |access-date=March 1, 2023 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131206114833/http://bestof.ign.com/2005/overall/25.html |archive-date= 6 December 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://bestof.ign.com/2005/overall/1.html |title=IGN Overall Best Action Game |website=IGN |access-date=March 1, 2023 |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 1, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131201060736/http://bestof.ign.com/2005/overall/1.html }}</ref> The game was '']''{{'}} Game of the Year and Best Action Game winner.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cnet.com/tech/gaming/resident-evil-4-nabs-game-of-year-award/ |title='Resident Evil 4' nabs game-of-year award |website=] |access-date=2023-03-17 |archive-date=2022-06-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220610235511/https://www.cnet.com/tech/gaming/resident-evil-4-nabs-game-of-year-award/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It went on to win Game of the Year 2005,<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 11, 2006 |archive-date=2006-02-10 |title=GameZone.com - Best Games of 2005 - Games of the Year |url=http://www.gamezone.com/goty/goty2005_oa_win.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060210130622/http://www.gamezone.com/goty/goty2005_oa_win.htm |access-date=2023-06-08 |website=GameZone |url-status=dead}}</ref> Best Horror Game of the Year 2005,<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 11, 2006 |archive-date=2006-01-12 |title=GameZone.com - Best Games of 2005 - Games of the Year |url=http://www.gamezone.com/goty/goty2005_sa_hor.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060112170352/http://www.gamezone.com/goty/goty2005_sa_hor.htm |access-date=2023-06-08 |website=GameZone |url-status=dead}}</ref> GameCube Game of the Year 2005,<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 11, 2006 |archive-date=2006-01-11 |title=GameZone.com - Best Games of 2005 - Games of the Year |url=http://www.gamezone.com/goty/goty2005_GC_win.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060111072609/http://www.gamezone.com/goty/goty2005_GC_win.htm |access-date=2023-06-08 |website=GameZone |url-status=dead}}</ref> and GameCube Action Game of the Year 2005 awards,<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 5, 2006 |archive-date=2006-01-06 |title=GameZone.com - Best Games of 2005 - Games of the Year |url=http://www.gamezone.com/goty/goty2005_gc_act.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060106084730/http://www.gamezone.com/goty/goty2005_gc_act.htm |access-date=2023-06-08 |website=GameZone |url-status=dead}}</ref> and was a runner-up in PlayStation 2 Game of the Year 2005<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 11, 2006 |archive-date=2006-02-10 |title=GameZone.com - Best Games of 2005 - Games of the Year |url=http://www.gamezone.com/goty/goty2005_ps2.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060210130729/http://www.gamezone.com/goty/goty2005_ps2.htm |access-date=2023-06-08 |website=GameZone |url-status=dead}}</ref> and PlayStation 2 Action Game of the Year 2005 classifications<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 11, 2006 |archive-date=2006-01-11 |title=GameZone.com - Best Games of 2005 - Games of the Year |url=http://www.gamezone.com/goty/goty2005_ps2_act.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060111052931/http://www.gamezone.com/goty/goty2005_ps2_act.htm |access-date=2023-06-08 |website=GameZone |url-status=dead}}</ref> at ''GameZone''{{'}}s Game of the Year Awards. '']'' awarded ''Resident Evil 4'' Game of the Year, Best Adventure Game, Game of the Year – GameCube, Best Graphics – GameCube, Best Sound / Voice Acting at its awards show.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=2005 Nintendo Power Awards|magazine=]|volume=203|pages=52–58|date=May 2006}}</ref> During the ''Nintendojo''{{'}}s Best of 2005 Awards, the game received recognition as the runner-up for Best Gameplay Innovation<ref>{{Cite web |archive-date=2006-05-05 |title=Best of 2005 Awards Part 1 |url=http://www.nintendojo.com/specials/view_item.php?1138783114 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060505030413/http://www.nintendojo.com/specials/view_item.php?1138783114 |access-date=2023-06-08 |website=Nintendojo |url-status=dead}}</ref> and Most Engrossing Game.<ref>{{Cite web |archive-date=2006-05-05 |title=Best of 2005 Awards Part 2 |url=http://www.nintendojo.com/specials/view_item.php?1138922826 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060505030606/http://www.nintendojo.com/specials/view_item.php?1138922826 |access-date=2023-06-08 |website=Nintendojo |url-status=dead}}</ref> Additionally, it emerged victorious in the categories of Best Game, Period.,<ref>{{Cite web |archive-date=2006-05-05 |title=Best of 2005 Awards Part 3: Best, Period |url=http://www.nintendojo.com/specials/view_item.php?1139215027 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060505030506/http://www.nintendojo.com/specials/view_item.php?1139215027 |access-date=2023-06-08 |website=Nintendojo |url-status=dead}}</ref> Best GameCube Visuals, Best GameCube Gameplay, and Best GameCube Overall.<ref>{{Cite web |archive-date=2006-05-05 |title=Best of 2005 Awards Part 3: GC |url=http://www.nintendojo.com/specials/view_item.php?1139215047 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060505030426/http://www.nintendojo.com/specials/view_item.php?1139215047 |access-date=2023-06-08 |website=Nintendojo |url-status=dead}}</ref> At the ''PALGN'' Awards, the game achieved success by securing the titles of Action Game of the Year for 2005 and GameCube Game of the Year for 2005, while also attaining the title of Overall Game of the Year for 2005. In the category of PlayStation 2 Game of the Year for 2005, the game earned the recognition of a runner-up position.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://palgn.com.au/article.php?id=3631&sid=fa2e03a29c214eba2260cab4c7942fa2 |archive-date=2006-06-24 |title=PALGN's 2005 Staff Game of the Year awards |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060624075550/http://palgn.com.au/article.php?id=3631&sid=fa2e03a29c214eba2260cab4c7942fa2 |access-date=2023-06-07 |website=PAL Gaming Network |date=2006-01-10 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
A PlayStation 2 port of ''Resident Evil 4'' was released in America on ], ]. Despite being a graphically downgraded port due to the PlayStation 2's hardware capabilities, impressions of the port based on a preview build have been good. A handful of critics stated that the PlayStation 2 version's graphics were inferior to those of the Gamecube, however some felt that the exclusive features made up for these shortcomings.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.gameswelike.com/web/re/RE%20Comp.htm | title = Resident Evil | accessdate=2007-01-28 | publisher = Games We Like | accessdate = 2007-07-12}}</ref>


The ] port of ''Resident Evil 4'' was named VR/AR Game of the Year at ],<ref>{{cite web|last=Adam|first=Bankhurst|title=The Game Awards 2021 Winners: The Full List|date=November 2021|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/the-game-awards-2021-winners-revealed|language=en|access-date=2021-12-10|archive-date=December 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211210023936/https://www.ign.com/articles/the-game-awards-2021-winners-revealed|url-status=live|website=IGN}}</ref> and was also named XR Game of the Year at the ].<ref name="winners 2022">{{cite web |last=Watkins |first=Gary |date=March 12, 2022 |title=2022 SXSW Gaming Awards Winners Announced |url=https://www.sxsw.com/news/2022/2022-sxsw-gaming-awards-winners-announced/ |access-date=April 3, 2022 |work=] |archive-date=March 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220314092223/https://www.sxsw.com/news/2022/2022-sxsw-gaming-awards-winners-announced/ |url-status=live }}</ref> At the ], the game won Best AR/VR Game and Best Remake.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ankers-Range |first=Adele |date=2022-02-02 |title=New York Game Awards 2022 Winners Announced |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/new-york-game-awards-2022-winners-announced |access-date=2023-04-15 |website=IGN |language=en |archive-date=February 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220202203413/https://www.ign.com/articles/new-york-game-awards-2022-winners-announced |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Resident Evil 4 VR'' was nominated for ] and ] at the ].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bankhurst |first1=Adam |title=DICE Awards 2022 Winners: The Full List |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/dice-awards-2022-how-to-watch-all-the-nominees-and-what-to-expect-winners |website=IGN |date=February 25, 2022 |access-date=15 March 2022 |archive-date=February 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225063731/https://www.ign.com/articles/dice-awards-2022-how-to-watch-all-the-nominees-and-what-to-expect-winners |url-status=live }}</ref>
Additionally, almost all the GameCube’s real-time cut scenes were converted into FMV movie files in order to maintain a better quality. In other words, the player’s character will appear (in higher-polygon GameCube model) wearing their default costume, regardless of which accessories or outfits were actually chosen. The gameplay balancing present in the PAL GameCube version applies to the PlayStation 2 version as well (though the North American release has no Easy option).{{Fact|date=May 2007}}


{| class="wikitable sortable"
Voices and sound effects quality outside of the cutscenes had been reduced due to audio RAM constraints.{{Fact|date=May 2007}}
|-
! Year !! Award !! Category !! Result !! {{Abbr|Ref(s).|Reference(s)}}
|-
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="4" | 2004
| ]
| Future Award for Excellence
| {{Won}}
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{Cite web |url=https://awards.cesa.or.jp/2004/english/prizelist/ |title=CESA GAME AWARDS == Awarded Games == |website=] |access-date=2023-03-18 |url-status=live |archive-date=March 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230318074543/https://awards.cesa.or.jp/2004/english/prizelist/ }}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="2" | ]
| Best Console Game
| {{Nom}}
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2" | <ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.gamecriticsawards.com/2004nominees.html |title=Game Critics Awards |website=] |access-date=2020-04-23 |archive-date=2020-02-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200217185526/http://www.gamecriticsawards.com/2004nominees.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| Best Action/Adventure Game
| {{Nom}}
|-
| ]
| Most Wanted Game For 2005
| {{draw|Runner-up}}
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web |last=Wilson |first=Andrew |date=5 November 2004 |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/95479/Golden_Joystick_Awards_Announces_2004_Winners.php |title=Golden Joystick Awards Announces 2004 Winners |website=] |access-date=5 November 2005 |archive-date=5 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200205195351/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/95479/Golden_Joystick_Awards_Announces_2004_Winners.php |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="7" | 2005
| ]
| Award for Excellence
| {{Won}}
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{Cite web |url=https://awards.cesa.or.jp/2005/english/game.html |title=9th CESA GAME AWARDS {{!}} Awarded Games |website=] |access-date=2020-04-23 |archive-date=2021-04-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418015617/https://awards.cesa.or.jp/2005/english/game.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="3" | ]
| GameCube Game of the Year
| {{Won}}
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="3" | <ref>{{cite web |first=Mike |last=Anderiesz |date=10 November 2005 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2005/nov/10/games.guardianweeklytechnologysection1 |title=Golden Joystick awards: Winners and losers |work=] |access-date=18 March 2023 |url-status=live |archive-date=March 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230318074525/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2005/nov/10/games.guardianweeklytechnologysection1 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Tim |last=Surette |date=17 November 2005 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/gta-sticks-it-to-uk-awards-show/1100-6139209/ |title=GTA 'sticks it to UK awards show |publisher=] |access-date=18 March 2023 |url-status=live |archive-date=March 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230318074542/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/gta-sticks-it-to-uk-awards-show/1100-6139209/ }}</ref>
|-
| Editor's Game of the Year
| {{Won}}
|-
| Best Film-Based Game of 2005
| {{Won}}
|-
| rowspan="3" | ]
| Game of the Year
| {{Won}}
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="3" | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/re4-named-game-of-year-at-spike-awards/1100-6140144/|title=RE4 named Game of Year at Spike Awards|last=Sinclair|first=Brendan|website=]|date=November 19, 2005|accessdate=January 28, 2007|archive-date=November 5, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105054503/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/re4-named-game-of-year-at-spike-awards/1100-6140144/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| Action Game of the Year
| {{Nom}}
|-
| Best Graphics
| {{Won}}
|-
| rowspan="6" style="text-align:center;" | 2006
| ]
| ]
| {{Nom}}
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/99009/Ultimate_SpiderMan_Gets_Annie_Award_Game_Nod.php |title=Ultimate Spider-Man Gets Annie Award Game Nod |website=] |date=February 6, 2006 |access-date=2020-04-23 |archive-date=2021-08-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210824101200/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/99009/Ultimate_SpiderMan_Gets_Annie_Award_Game_Nod.php |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="33rd Annie Awards">{{cite web | url = http://annieawards.org/33rd-annie-awards | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130102053019/http://annieawards.org/33rd-annie-awards | title = Annie Awards :: 33rd Annie Awards | archive-date = January 2, 2013 | accessdate = May 10, 2022}}</ref>
|-
| ]
| Grand Prize
| {{Won}}{{efn|Shared with '']''}}
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.famitsu.com/game/news/2006/04/21/103,1145605197,52094,0,0.html|title="Famitsu Awards 2005"大賞は『キングダム ハーツII』と『バイオハザード4』!!|trans-title="Famitsu Awards 2005" prize "Kingdom Hearts II" and "Resident Evil 4"!|publisher=]|access-date=January 28, 2007|language=ja|archive-date=April 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160409144813/http://www.famitsu.com/game/news/2006/04/21/103,1145605197,52094,0,0.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| ]
| Visual Arts
| {{Nom}}
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web|first=Brendan |last=Sinclair |title=IGDA award nominees announced |date=February 27, 2006 |website=] |url=http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/adventure/wandaandthecolossus/news.html?sid=6144972&cpage=2 |accessdate=May 28, 2008 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090804185449/http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/adventure/wandaandthecolossus/news.html?sid=6144972&cpage=2 |archivedate=August 4, 2009 }}</ref><ref name="GDCAAwards-Mar2006">{{cite web|url=https://www.gamechoiceawards.com/archive/gdca_6th.html|title=Game Developers Choice Online Awards {{!}} 6th Annual GDCA|website=]|accessdate=23 April 2020|archive-date=22 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200422193221/https://www.gamechoiceawards.com/archive/gdca_6th.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Thorsen |first=Tor |year=2006 |title=Colossus casts shadow over GDC Awards |url=http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/adventure/wandaandthecolossus/news.html?sid=6146480 |website=] |accessdate=July 30, 2006 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070911091454/http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/adventure/wandaandthecolossus/news.html?sid=6146480 |archivedate=September 11, 2007 }}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="2" | ]
| Playstation Game of the Year
| {{Won}}
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2" | <ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2006/08/golden_joystick_awards_2006_nominees |title=Golden Joystick Awards 2006 Nominees |website=] |date=August 6, 2006 |access-date=2020-04-23 |archive-date=2022-04-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220406151153/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2006/08/golden_joystick_awards_2006_nominees |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/102407/UK_Golden_Joystick_Awards_Winners_Announced.php |title=UK Golden Joystick Awards Winners Announced |website=] |date=October 27, 2006 |access-date=2020-04-23 |archive-date=2013-11-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131114154449/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/102407/UK_Golden_Joystick_Awards_Winners_Announced.php |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| ]
| {{Nom}}
|-
| ]
| Best Video Game Release: Horror
| {{Won}}
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref name="Carless-Feb2006">{{cite web|last=Carless|first=Simon|date=16 February 2006|url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/99152/Saturn_Awards_Nominate_SciFi_Fantasy_Horror_Games.php|title=Saturn Awards Nominate Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Horror Games|website=]|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200412222517/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/99152/Saturn_Awards_Nominate_SciFi_Fantasy_Horror_Games.php|archive-date=12 April 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.awn.com/news/batman-kong-top-saturn-awards |title=Batman, Kong Top Saturn Awards |website=] |access-date=2020-04-23 |archive-date=2022-05-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220529173221/https://www.awn.com/news/batman-kong-top-saturn-awards |url-status=live }}</ref>
|}


===PC port=== ===Sales===
The GameCube version sold over 320,000 copies in North America during the first twenty days. The European release sold its entire 200,000 copies during the first month. By December 2005, 3 million copies of the GameCube and PlayStation 2 versions had been shipped worldwide.<ref>{{cite news |title=Press Release 2006 |url=https://www.capcom.co.jp/ir/english/news/html/e060424.html |access-date=13 November 2021 |work=] |date=April 24, 2006 |archive-date=November 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211113173724/https://www.capcom.co.jp/ir/english/news/html/e060424.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://ir.capcom.co.jp/english/news/html/e060208a.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061208145426/http://ir.capcom.co.jp/english/news/html/e060208a.html|archive-date=December 8, 2006|title=The Latest Installment in Capcom's Hit Resident Evil Series "Resident Evil 4" Ships 3 Million!|publisher=]|access-date=January 28, 2007}}</ref> According to January 17, 2007 sales figures provided by Capcom, the GameCube version of ''Resident Evil 4'' had sold a total of 1.6 million copies worldwide, while the PS2 version had sold over 2 million copies.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ir.capcom.co.jp/english/data/million.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070621040246/http://ir.capcom.co.jp/english/data/million.html |archive-date=June 21, 2007|title=Platinum Titles|publisher=]|access-date=July 12, 2007}}</ref> As of December 2022, ''Resident Evil 4'' has sold 12.3 million units when combining all versions.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-12-31 |title=Platinum Titles {{!}}Product Data {{!}} CAPCOM |url=https://www.capcom.co.jp/ir/english/business/million.html |access-date=2023-05-21 |website=www.capcom.co.jp |language=en-US |archive-date=July 14, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080714022921/http://ir.capcom.co.jp/english/data/million.html |url-status=live }}</ref> It is the second best-selling ''Resident Evil'' game,<ref>{{cite web|last=O'Connor|first=James|title=Resident Evil 7 Hits A New Sales Milestone And Is (Sort Of) Capcom's 2nd Best-Selling Game|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/resident-evil-7-hits-a-new-sales-milestone-and-is-/1100-6480951/|work=]|access-date=August 16, 2020|date=August 14, 2020|archive-date=June 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613095025/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/resident-evil-7-hits-a-new-sales-milestone-and-is-/1100-6480951/|url-status=live}}</ref> and holds the record for "Best-Selling Survival Horror Game" in the 2012 '']''.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Reeves|first=Ben|title=Guinness World Records 2012 Gamer's Edition Preview|url=http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2011/12/30/guinness-world-records-2012-gamer-s-edition-preview.aspx|magazine=]|access-date=December 31, 2011|date=December 30, 2011|archive-date=February 25, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120225131323/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2011/12/30/guinness-world-records-2012-gamer-s-edition-preview.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref>
A PC port of ''Resident Evil 4'' was developed by ] and published by Electronics Arts in Taiwan and Typhoon Games (HK) Ltd. in HK (excluding Japan) in February 2007.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.ea.com.tw/Products/Products_Info.aspx?ID=628 | title = Biohazard 4 | publisher = ] | accessdate = 2007-07-12}}</ref> The port was published in North America by ].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://uk.gamespot.com/news/6171086.html | title = Ubisoft Delivers Resident Evil 4 for PC | publisher = ] | date = ] | accessdate = 2007-07-12}}</ref> and shipped in June 2007.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.gamespot.com/pc/adventure/residentevil4/index.html | title = Resident Evil 4 for PC | publisher = ] | accessdate = 2007-02-11}}</ref> Ubisoft shipped
the European version on ], ]. The port contains the bonus features from the PlayStation 2 version, such as "Separate Ways", the P.R.L. 412 laser cannon, and a second set of unlockable costumes for Leon and Ashley. It also supports multiple widescreen resolutions.
The PC port is based on the Playstation 2 version of the game, and thus features lower quality textures and reduced-polygon character models in comparison to the Gamecube version. All cutscenes are pre-rendered FMV movies instead of rendered using the in-game engine. The original 1.0 version of the port also did not feature any lighting or shader effects.


==Legacy==
Notably, the port also does not allow mouse support; the game can only be controlled either with the keyboard only, or with a PC gamepad controller. Although several mouse mods were available for download, many had complained that sensitivity was too difficult to adjust.
''Resident Evil 4'' is considered ]. It is included in the '']'' book.<ref>{{Cite web |archive-date=2014-07-13 |title=1001 Video Games to Play Before You Die |url=http://1001beforeyoudie.com/1001_video_games_uk.html |access-date=2023-06-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140713145009/http://1001beforeyoudie.com/1001_video_games_uk.html |website=1001 Before You Die |url-status=dead}}</ref> '']'' ranked it as number one in their list of the top 25 best GameCube games of all time in 2005<ref name=nintendopower>{{cite magazine|title=Resident Evil 4|magazine=Nintendo Power|date=March 2005 |page=105}}</ref> and also ranked it second on their list of the best games of the 2000s in 2010.<ref>{{cite magazine |title= The Best of the Decade |magazine=Nintendo Power |issue=252 |page=76 |date=March 2010}}</ref> In 2008, ''Resident Evil 4'' was ranked first place in the list of the best video games of all time according to the readers of ''IGN'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://microsites.ign.com/kfc/top99games/10.html|title=Top 99 Games of All Time|access-date=September 11, 2008|website=IGN|archive-date=April 19, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160419001118/http://microsites.ign.com/kfc/top99games/10.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and sixth place in the list of the best PlayStation 2 games of all time according to the IGN staff.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/11/14/top-25-ps2-games |title=Top 25 PS2 Games |website=IGN |date=November 14, 2008 |access-date=April 25, 2023 |archive-date=January 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230123174155/https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/11/14/top-25-ps2-games |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2021, IGN ranked the game as the 40th best game of all time.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/the-best-100-video-games-of-all-time |title=The Top 100 Video Games of All Time |website=IGN |date=December 31, 2021 |access-date=April 25, 2023 |archive-date=December 31, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211231162533/https://www.ign.com/articles/the-best-100-video-games-of-all-time |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2009, ''Game Informer'' ranked ''Resident Evil 4'' number one on their list of top GameCube games<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2009/09/22/feature-gamecube-top-25-list.aspx|title=GameCube's Top 25 Games|magazine=Game Informer|access-date=December 14, 2012|archive-date=May 31, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120531081309/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2009/09/22/feature-gamecube-top-25-list.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref> and number three on their list of top PlayStation 2 games.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2009/09/27/playstation-2-top-25-games.aspx|title=PlayStation 2: The Games That Defined a Generation|magazine=Game Informer|access-date=December 14, 2012|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304102012/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2009/09/27/playstation-2-top-25-games.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2022, '']'' magazine named it the tenth-best PlayStation 2 game of all time.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/the-50-best-ps2-games-ever/resident-evil-4 |title=50 Best PS2 Games of All Time: Top Classic Video Games Ever Made |date=October 3, 2022 |publisher=Complex Media |work=] |access-date=April 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221226180337/https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/the-50-best-ps2-games-ever/resident-evil-4 |archive-date=December 26, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> ] named ''Resident Evil 4'' the ],<ref>{{cite web | access-date=January 31, 2013 | title=Top 10 GameCube Games | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYIPS_LMxh4 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112184257/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYIPS_LMxh4| archive-date=2013-11-12 | url-status=dead| series='']'' | publisher=] | author=Craig Skistimas | date=July 19, 2012}}</ref> while ''GamePro'' ranked it as the second best game for the PS2.<ref></ref> In 2010, the readers of '']'' voted it the 10th greatest ] game.<ref>PlayStation Official Magazine issue 50, ], October 2010</ref> In 2007, '']'' ranked the game at second place in its list of top games of all time, behind only '']''.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=EDGE'S TOP 100 GAMES OF ALL TIME|url=http://www.edge-online.com/features/edges-top-100-games-all-time?page=10|magazine=]|access-date=January 28, 2012|date=July 2, 2007|page=10|archive-date=June 25, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120625074957/http://www.edge-online.com/features/edges-top-100-games-all-time?page=10|url-status=live}}</ref> That same year, ] named it the 21st top video game of all time, calling it "a modern horror masterpiece."<ref> {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130310120740/http://www.g4tv.com/videos/59352/top-100-video-games-of-all-time-21-resident-evil-4/ |date=March 10, 2013 }}</ref> In 2015, it placed 7th on USgamer's The 15 Best Games Since 2000 list.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Williams|first1=Mike|title=The 15 Best Games Since 2000, Number 7: Resident Evil 4|url=http://www.usgamer.net/articles/the-15-best-games-since-2000-number-7-resident-evil-4|website=USgamer|publisher=Gamer Network|access-date=August 1, 2015|date=July 31, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150801143825/http://www.usgamer.net/articles/the-15-best-games-since-2000-number-7-resident-evil-4|archive-date=August 1, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> In early 2006, in their 200th issue, ''Nintendo Power'' ranked it in second place in their Top 200 Games of all-time list, also behind only ''The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time''.<ref name=np>{{cite magazine |title=NP TOP 200: Countdown Concludes with the Final 40|issue=200 |magazine=Nintendo Power |date=February 2006 |page=65}}</ref>


''Resident Evil 4'' is regarded as one of the most influential games of the ], particularly due to its influence in redefining the ] genre<ref name=nationalpost>{{cite web|title=Decade in Review: The most influential video games since Y2K|date=December 30, 2009|first=Daniel|last=Kaszor|work=National Post |location=Canada |url=http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/theampersand/archive/2009/12/30/370674.aspx|archive-url=https://archive.today/20100609234921/http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/theampersand/archive/2009/12/30/370674.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 9, 2010|access-date=January 24, 2010}}</ref> by introducing offset camera angles that do not obscure action.<ref>{{cite web|last=Dobson|first=Jason|date=March 12, 2007|title=Post-GDC: Cliff Bleszinski Says Iteration Won Gears of War|url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/104058/PostGDC_Cliff_Bleszinski_Says_Iteration_Won_Gears_of_War.php|access-date=April 2, 2009|website=]|archive-date=May 11, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120511130006/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/104058/PostGDC_Cliff_Bleszinski_Says_Iteration_Won_Gears_of_War.php|url-status=live}}</ref> The new gameplay alterations and immersive style appealed to many not previously familiar with the series.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://biz.gamedaily.com/industry/toppers/?id=9087|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012001745/http://biz.gamedaily.com/industry/toppers/?id=9087|archive-date=October 12, 2007|title=Capcom's RE4 Reinvigorates the Franchise|last=Brightman|first=James|publisher=GameDaily BIZ|date=March 2, 2005|access-date=January 28, 2007 }}</ref> The over-the-shoulder viewpoint introduced in ''Resident Evil 4'' has later become standard in third-person shooters and action games, including titles ranging from '']'' to '']''.<ref name=nationalpost/> It has also become a standard "precision aim" feature for third-person ]s in general, with examples including '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesradar.com/gamings-most-important-evolutions/?page=7|title=Gaming's most important evolutions|date=October 9, 2010|publisher=]|access-date=September 6, 2011|page=7|archive-date=June 5, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120605160721/http://www.gamesradar.com/gamings-most-important-evolutions/?page=7|url-status=live}}</ref> '']'', '']'' and '']''.<ref name="venturebeat">{{cite news |title=10 years later, Resident Evil 4 still influences the industry |url=https://venturebeat.com/2015/01/11/10-years-later-resident-evil-4-is-still-influences-the-industry/ |access-date=29 May 2019 |work=] |date=11 January 2015 |archive-date=May 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190530140134/https://venturebeat.com/2015/01/11/10-years-later-resident-evil-4-is-still-influences-the-industry/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2019, '']'' called ''Resident Evil 4'' "the most important third-person shooter ever" and said it "innovated two genres", inspiring developers of both ] and ]s.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Gwaltney |first1=Javy |title=14 Years Later, Resident Evil 4 Remains The Most Important Third-Person Shooter Ever |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/index.php/b/features/archive/2017/01/22/12-years-later-and-resident-evil-4-remains-the-best-third-person-shooter-ever.aspx |magazine=] |access-date=30 May 2019 |date=May 21, 2019 |archive-date=May 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190530230239/https://www.gameinformer.com/index.php/b/features/archive/2017/01/22/12-years-later-and-resident-evil-4-remains-the-best-third-person-shooter-ever.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref>
The PC port's manual mistakenly switches buttons 1 and 3,<ref>{{cite web | url = http://pc.ign.com/articles/772/772348p1.html | title = Resident Evil 4 AU Review | author = Shea, Cam | publisher = ] | date = ] | accessdate = 2007-07-12}}</ref> and ingame button-bash icons are not updated to the corresponding key.


''Resident Evil 4'' redefined the survival horror genre by emphasizing reflexes and precision aiming,<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/features/capcoms-re4-reinvigorates-the-franchise/67572/?biz=1 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081007070517/http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/features/capcoms-re4-reinvigorates-the-franchise/67572/?biz=1 | archive-date = October 7, 2008 | title = Capcom's RE4 Reinvigorates the Franchise| author= James Brightman | date = March 2, 2005 | access-date =April 16, 2009 | publisher = ] }}</ref> thus broadening the gameplay of the series with elements from the wider action game genre.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ugo.com/movies/gateway-to-horror-gateway-to-horror-games-resident-evil-4 |title=Gateway to Horror |publisher=] |date=October 17, 2008 |access-date=April 16, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120419010925/http://www.ugo.com/movies/gateway-to-horror-gateway-to-horror-games-resident-evil-4 |archive-date=April 19, 2012 }}</ref> However, this also led some reviewers to suggest that the ''Resident Evil'' series had abandoned the survival horror genre,<ref name="extinction">{{cite web | url = http://www.destructoid.com/how-survival-horror-evolved-itself-into-extinction-114022.phtml | title = How survival horror evolved itself into extinction | date = December 8, 2008 | author = Jim Sterling | website = Destructoid | access-date = April 16, 2009 | archive-date = April 11, 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160411160506/http://www.destructoid.com/how-survival-horror-evolved-itself-into-extinction-114022.phtml | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/202808/previewsresident-evil-5/ |title=Resident Evil 5 |author=Matthew Pellett |date=December 6, 2008 |magazine=] |access-date=April 16, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120518082855/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/202808/previewsresident-evil-5/ |archive-date=May 18, 2012 }}</ref> by demolishing the genre conventions that it had established.<ref name="fear101">{{cite web | url = http://retro.ign.com/articles/880/880202p1.html | title = Fear 101: A Beginner's Guide to Survival Horror | website = IGN | author = Jim Sterling | date = June 9, 2008 | access-date = April 17, 2009 | archive-date = March 5, 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160305124914/http://retro.ign.com/articles/880/880202p1.html | url-status = live }}</ref> Other major survival horror series followed suit, by developing their combat systems to feature more action, such as '']''<ref name="extinction"/> and the 2008 version of '']''.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/ataris-phil-harrison-interview | title = Atari's Phil Harrison Interview | author = Ellie Gibson | website = ] | date = May 29, 2008 | access-date = April 16, 2009 | archive-date = September 25, 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120925221836/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/ataris-phil-harrison-interview | url-status = live }}</ref> These changes represent an overall trend among ]s shifting towards visceral action gameplay.<ref name="leigh">{{cite web | url = http://kotaku.com/5056008/does-survival-horror-really-still-exist | title = Does Survival Horror Really Still Exist? | publisher = Kotaku | access-date = April 16, 2009 | date = September 29, 2008 | archive-date = October 9, 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121009110556/http://kotaku.com/5056008/does-survival-horror-really-still-exist | url-status = live }}</ref>
A patch was released to update the game to version 1.1.0 that restored the lighting and shader effects, and it also fixed a freezing issue. The patch was included with the North American version of the game, which was released on ], ].


While working on '']'', ] took cues from ''Resident Evil 4,'' particularly the tension and action.<ref>{{cite web |last=Prestia |first=Gaetano |url=http://ps3.mmgn.com/News/the-last-of-us-inspired-by-ico-re4 |title=The Last Of Us inspired by Ico, RE4 – PS3 News &#124; MMGN Australia |publisher=Ps3.mmgn.com |access-date=July 16, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130610034155/http://ps3.mmgn.com/News/the-last-of-us-inspired-by-ico-re4 |archive-date=June 10, 2013 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> '']'' designers Ben Wanat and Wright Bagwell stated that their game was originally intended to be '']'' before the release of ''Resident Evil 4'' inspired them to go back to the drawing board.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/how-resident-evil-4-turned-system-shock-3-into-dead-space/ |title=How Resident Evil 4 led to Visceral making Dead Space—instead of System Shock 3 |website=PC Gamer |date=January 15, 2017 |access-date=January 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118193608/http://www.pcgamer.com/how-resident-evil-4-turned-system-shock-3-into-dead-space/ |archive-date=January 18, 2017 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all |author1=Mat Paget }}</ref> '']'' was also influenced by ''Resident Evil 4'', including its approach to the environments, combat, and tools, its game design and tactical elements, its "gameplay fuelled storytelling" and inventory system, and its opening village level in terms of how it "handled the sandbox nature of the combat" and in terms of "the environment."<ref>{{cite web |title=How Resident Evil 4 Influenced BioShock |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/us/games/bioshock/268610/how-resident-evil-4-influenced-bioshock |website=] |access-date=30 May 2019 |date=October 29, 2018 |archive-date=October 29, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029151906/https://www.denofgeek.com/us/games/bioshock/268610/how-resident-evil-4-influenced-bioshock |url-status=live }}</ref> '']''{{'}}s environments, enemy design, and shift to a faster combat system compared to previous ] games was influenced by ''Resident Evil 4''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bloodborne is Dark Souls meets Resident Evil 4 - E3 2014 |url=https://www.videogamer.com/previews/bloodborne-is-dark-souls-meets-resident-evil-4-e3-2014/ |access-date=2022-06-10 |website=VideoGamer.com |date=June 10, 2014 |language=en-US |archive-date=June 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220610025153/https://www.videogamer.com/previews/bloodborne-is-dark-souls-meets-resident-evil-4-e3-2014/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ] cited ''Resident Evil 4'' as an influence on the '']'' series, including '']'' (2007) and particularly '']'' (2018), which was influenced by ''Resident Evil 4''{{'}}s "combination of poised camera exploration and scavenging".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Makuch |first1=Eddie |title=God of War PS4 Director Explains Why They Changed The Combat And More |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/god-of-war-ps4-director-explains-why-they-changed-/1100-6458259/ |access-date=30 May 2019 |work=] |date=26 April 2018 |archive-date=May 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190530211324/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/god-of-war-ps4-director-explains-why-they-changed-/1100-6458259/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Uncharted'' director ] called the ''Resident Evil 4'' village sequence the best opening fight in a video game.<ref>{{cite news |title=Uncharted 4 co-director says Resident Evil 4 has the 'best opening fight in a game' |url=https://www.videogamer.com/news/uncharted-4-co-director-says-resident-evil-4-has-the-best-opening-fight-in-a-game/ |access-date=11 February 2022 |work=VideoGamer.com |date=23 January 2019 |archive-date=February 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220211193024/https://www.videogamer.com/news/uncharted-4-co-director-says-resident-evil-4-has-the-best-opening-fight-in-a-game/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
The Japanese version was released on ], ] in Japan.


'']'' is heavily influenced by ''Resident Evil 4'' with its own director stating, "If ''Resident Evil 7'' was like a reboot that inherited the DNA of the original ''Resident Evil'', then you could say that this time we're doing the same for ''Resident Evil 4''. We've designed the game and its structure with ''Resident Evil 4''{{'}}s essence in mind".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Krabbe |first=Esra |date=2021-04-30 |title=How Resident Evil Village Is a Direct Sequel to Resident Evil 7, but Heavily Inspired by Resident Evil 4 - IGN First |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/how-resident-evil-village-is-a-direct-sequel-to-resident-evil-7-but-heavily-inspired-by-resident-evil-4-ign-first |access-date=2023-02-06 |website=IGN |language=en |archive-date=April 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430140128/https://www.ign.com/articles/how-resident-evil-village-is-a-direct-sequel-to-resident-evil-7-but-heavily-inspired-by-resident-evil-4-ign-first |url-status=live }}</ref>
===Wii edition===
''Resident Evil 4: Wii edition'' includes ] and Nunchuk compatibility for numerous gameplay features such as aiming and shooting, reloading and a "search knife" function that aims the knife at the nearest enemy. Players can switch between the Wii Remote and Nunchuk, Gamecube Controller and the Classic Controller at any time, depending on their preferred style of play. However, in order to use the GameCube Controller, nothing can be connected to the Wii Remote.
]
When playing with the Wii Remote and Nunchuk, the laser sight on guns is replaced with a reticle that flashes red (enemy) and green (no target) when a gun is drawn. The reticle is always present on screen, remaining a faint grey color that keeps track of the player's aim. This allows the player to aim and draw the gun, retaining the original aim (except while using a scoped weapon, such as the rifle or rocket launcher).


The combat and sound design of the Regenerador and its spike-laden Iron Maiden variant have often been lauded as a memorable horror element of ''Resident Evil 4'', in spite of the game's more action-oriented gameplay compared to its predecessors.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://venturebeat.com/2010/10/27/horror-week-scary-vs-dangerous/|website=Venture Beat|title=Resident Evil 4 Shows How "Dangerous" Is More Terrifying than "Scary"|date=October 27, 2010|access-date=July 1, 2022|archive-date=July 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210726101318/https://venturebeat.com/2010/10/27/horror-week-scary-vs-dangerous/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/videogames/resident-evil/a557066/resident-evil-4-ultimate-hd-edition-review-pc-amazing-nine-years-on/|title=Resident Evil 4 Ultimate on PC reviewed|first=Sam|last=White|date=March 12, 2014|website=Digital Spy|access-date=July 1, 2022|archive-date=July 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220701041100/https://www.digitalspy.com/videogames/resident-evil/a557066/resident-evil-4-ultimate-hd-edition-review-pc-amazing-nine-years-on/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="auto2">{{Cite web|url=https://kotaku.com/what-s-a-game-that-really-scared-you-1845469194|title=What's A Game That Really Scared You?|website=Kotaku|date=October 26, 2020|access-date=July 1, 2022|archive-date=July 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220701041053/https://kotaku.com/what-s-a-game-that-really-scared-you-1845469194|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="auto6">{{Cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2008-10-27-top-5-3.html|title=3. Is Your Regenerator Running?|website=Engadget|date=July 31, 2015 |access-date=July 1, 2022|archive-date=July 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220701041053/https://www.engadget.com/2008-10-27-top-5-3.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-11-30-resident-evil-7|title=What I think after five hours of Resident Evil 7|first=Aoife|last=Wilson|website=]|date=November 30, 2016|access-date=July 1, 2022|archive-date=April 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220404071426/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-11-30-resident-evil-7|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kotaku.com.au/2021/06/gamings-most-stress-inducing-sound-effects/|title=Gaming's Most Stress-Inducing Sound Effects|date=June 24, 2021|website=Kotaku Australia|access-date=July 1, 2022|archive-date=July 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220701041053/https://www.kotaku.com.au/2021/06/gamings-most-stress-inducing-sound-effects/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Some critics have included the Regenerator in retrospective "top" lists of the scariest or most memorable monsters in video games.<ref name="auto3"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/gamings-greatest-monsters/1100-6423287/|website=GameSpot|title=Gaming's Greatest Monsters|access-date=July 1, 2022|archive-date=July 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220701013655/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/gamings-greatest-monsters/1100-6423287/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/games/the-10-scariest-monsters-in-videogames/|title=The 10 Scariest Monsters in Videogames|date=October 30, 2014|website=pastemagazine.com|access-date=July 1, 2022|archive-date=July 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220701041053/https://www.pastemagazine.com/games/the-10-scariest-monsters-in-videogames/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/the-best-enemies-in-pc-gaming/|title=The best enemies in PC gaming|first=Andy|last=Kelly|website=PC Gamer|date=March 17, 2015|access-date=July 1, 2022|archive-date=July 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220701041053/https://www.pcgamer.com/the-best-enemies-in-pc-gaming/|url-status=live}}</ref> The Regenerators and the ''Plaga'' parasite serve as sources of inspiration for the development of the ] monsters from '']''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usgamer.net/articles/monster-of-the-week-how-necromorphs-somehow-werent-a-day-one-idea-for-dead-space|title=Monster of the Week: The Godfather of the Necromorph on Creating Dead Space's Famous Creature|date=14 October 2019|website=USGamer|access-date=July 1, 2022|archive-date=July 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220701041053/https://www.usgamer.net/articles/monster-of-the-week-how-necromorphs-somehow-werent-a-day-one-idea-for-dead-space|url-status=dead}}</ref>
The Japanese version has its gore toned down and decapitations removed in the final product just as it did on the Gamecube. Footage of the Japanese version caused some to worry that the North American version would also be censored. The North American version, however, remains uncensored.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.destructoid.com/resident-evil-4-for-wii-is-not-censored-32454.phtml | title = Resident Evil 4 for Wii is NOT censored | publisher = Destructoid | date = ] | accessdate = 2007-07-12}}</ref>


'']'' credits ''Resident Evil 4'' as an early example of ] ]s.<ref name="venturebeat"/> A ] was released on March 24, 2023 on ], ], ], and ].<ref name="RemakeAnnouncement" /><ref>{{cite news |last=Skrebels |first=Joe |date=2022-09-15 |title=Resident Evil 4 Remake Is Coming to PS4 as Well as PS5 |work=] |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/resident-evil-4-remake-is-coming-to-ps4-as-well-as-ps5 |accessdate=2022-09-17 |archive-date=September 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220917030133/https://www.ign.com/articles/resident-evil-4-remake-is-coming-to-ps4-as-well-as-ps5 |url-status=live }}</ref> The remake was also announced for the ], to be released between late 2023 to early 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Resident Evil 4 remake is coming to the iPhone 15 Pro |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/9/12/23870365/resident-evil-4-remake-iphone-15-pro-assassins-creed |website=] |language=en|date=September 13, 2023 |access-date=September 27, 2023 }}</ref>
The ''Wii edition'' also includes the extra content from the PlayStation 2 and PC versions. It was released in North America on ],], and in Europe on ],]. This version also includes a trailer for '']''.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/04/resident-evil-4-on-wii-official-umbrella-chronicles-an-on-rails | title = Resident Evil 4 on Wii official, Umbrella Chronicles an on-rails shooter | author = McElroy, Justin | publisher = ] | date = ] | accessdate = 2007-04-04}}</ref> In addition, the Wii edition supports 480p and 16:9 widescreen, as opposed to the 480p and 4:3 letterbox format of the GCN version. The game also maintains a consistent 30FPS, as opposed to past versions which had occurrences of slowdown in hectic moments.{{Fact|date=July 2007}} Otherwise, the visual quality remains very similar to the GCN iteration. <ref>{{cite web | url = http://gamefreaks365.com/review.php?artid=1262 | title = Resident Evil 4: Wii edition | publisher = Game Freaks 365 | accessdate = 2007-07-11}}</ref> Like the GCN version, the game features in-game cutscenes. However, the video clips found in ''Movie Browser'' and ''Separate Ways'' are ]s. Also regarding the in-game cutscenes, if the player happens to choose mobster Leon and knight armor Ashley as their costumes for the game, in the cutscenes they will only appear in their normal default costumes.

The Japanese magazine ] reviewed the game, with two editors giving the game a perfect 10 score, and the remaining pair giving it a 9, resulting in a score of 38/40. The reviewers noted that the game's improved controls offer something fresh and different. One reviewer said that the game offers the feeling of being closer to the action as well as upping the tension. Multiple reviewers agreed that even those who own the original will find something fun and enjoyable in this version.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://wii.ign.com/articles/790/790232p1.html | title = Famitsu Reviews RE4 Wii | author = Gantayat, Anoop | publisher = ] | date = ] | accessdate = 2007-05-21}}</ref>
British magazine '']'' gave the Wii edition a ], higher than the 95% given to the GameCube version. They praised the visuals, controls and features and commented on the fact that such an "exceptional package" was on sale for only £30, however when writing about the Wii controls they said "if you've played the GC version this won't be as special". ] gave the game a 9.0, stating it was the superior edition, but doesn't push the Wii like it did with Gamecube and PS2.
] gave ''Wii edition'' a score of 9.1, praising the new controls, but commenting on the lack of exclusive Wii features <ref>{{cite web | url = http://uk.gamespot.com/wii/action/residentevil4/review.html?sid=6172762&tag=topslot;title;1 | title = Resident Evil 4 Wii edition for Wii Review | author = VanOrd, Kevin | publisher = ] | date = ] | accessdate = 2007-07-12}}</ref>

===Graphics===
Some graphical differences exist between the GameCube and PlayStation versions. The game is presented in widescreen on both formats: the GameCube version features a 4:3 letter-boxed format and 480p, while the PlayStation 2 version can be displayed in 16:9 ] and 480p. The GameCube version proves to be graphically superior, with the PS2 version containing less lighting effects, some washed-out textures, and slightly lower polygon counts. The PS2 version also contains pre-rendered cutscenes opposed to the real-time ones in the Gamecube version. This means when the player selects the unlockable outfits, the characters will still be wearing the default outfits during cutscenes.{{Fact|date=June 2007}}

The ''Wii edition'' features the original graphics of the GameCube version, in-engine cutscenes (with the exception of the original PS2 version extras, costumes, and cutscenes), and supports both a 16:9 widescreen mode and 480p.{{Fact|date=June 2007}}

==Development history==
Officially announced in 2001, ''Resident Evil 4'' underwent a long development period in which three proposed versions of the game were discarded by the developers before the finished product was released in 2005.

An earlier attempt in developing ''Resident Evil 4'' was made from ] to ] for the PlayStation 2, with ''Resident Evil 2'' director ] leading the project. The first year was primarily spent on research of what the project would be, and included a trip to Spain for the development staff to study Spanish architecture. The direction that the project took was considered too much of a departure from the traditional ''Resident Evil'' style and the resulting game was revamped and released as '']'' in ]. In ''Devil May Cry'', several similarities can be observed when compared to the Resident Evil games, due to the fact that Devil May Cry began its development known as "Resident Evil 4."

The development of ''Resident Evil 4'' got its official start in ] for the GameCube as part of an exclusivity agreement between Capcom and Nintendo. The first proposed version, dubbed the '']'', was unveiled in the ] in ] and had ] (background designer for ''Resident Evil 3: Nemesis'') attached to the project. This version's premise featured Leon infiltrating Umbrella's HQ in Europe, getting infected by the ] (covered in the ''Resident Evil'' remake and ''Resident Evil 0'') and fighting fog-like creatures. One of the most notable areas shown in this version was a flying ]. However, Capcom scrapped the second beta of ''Resident Evil 4'' quietly and created a new version without any outside announcement.

]After the ''Fog Version'' came the ''Hooked Man Version''. First shown at the ] in ], this version was set in a haunted mansion and featured Leon fighting what appeared to be ] enemies, such as medieval suits of armor and living dolls. It also seemed that there are two different worlds, one relatively normal and one where the bizarre enemies would appear, similar in many ways to the '']'' game series. The most notable enemy in this version was the aforementioned "Hooked Man," who was intended to be a recurring enemy in the game, along the lines of the role of the "]." The game displayed numerous elements that have been carried over to the final release:

* The camera moves to over Leon's shoulder when his weapon is drawn. However, in the video, there are a few times when Leon aims without the over-the-shoulder camera. The game reverts to a third-person view like a traditional Resident Evil game.
* A red laser sight for Leon to use during aiming.
* The flashlight that is added to Leon's character design.
* A suit of armour suddenly attacks Leon when he attempts to pass it, as well as the button combination to dodge the attack.
* The ability to throw a grenade.
* The concept of assigning the L button to draw another type of weapon. In the beta version, the weapon was a grenade; in the final release, the weapon was a combat knife.
* The 'struggle' feature where you have to break free from an enemy's grasp.
* Leon's health indicator. In the beta, it flashes when Leon is hurt, but in the final release the developers decided to add a HUD to display more information.

This version was reportedly so scary that ] himself warned the gamers with a famous quote "Don't pee your pants" prior showing the initial trailer at ]. Gameplay footage of this version was featured in the ''Biohazard 4 Secret DVD'' released in Japan only. This version was scrapped for being far too paranormal for the Resident Evil plot.

The final proposal before the finished product reportedly featured zombies as enemies once again. Not much was known about this version as it was never shown publicly. It was considered too formulaic by the developers and was discarded. After this, Shinji Mikami took over directorial duties from Shibata and began working on the version that was released.

At the last beta version, again, several things were changed during the development. ''Resident Evil 4'' was to retain the inventory slot system, but was changed to the attache case.

In much interest, it seems that this is the first Resident Evil game in the series that reject the "Survival Horror" theme in favor for the "Survival Action" genre: In the packaging art in the back of the Nintendo Gamecube version it says ''Forget everything you know about Resident Evil'', while the PlayStation 2 packaging art in the back reads ''Forget everything you ever knew about survival horror.''

==Awards and recognition==
<div class="references-small" style="-moz-column-count:3; column-count:3;">
'''2004 ] Best of E3 Awards'''
*GameCube Best Action Game
*Best Graphics
*Best Sound
*Technological Excellence
*Game of the Show

'''2005 ] Game Awards'''
*Prize of Excellence

'''2005 ]'s Video Game Awards'''
*Best Graphics
*Game of the Year

'''IGN Best of 2005'''
*GameCube Best Action Game
*Best Graphics Technology
*Best Artistic Design
*Best Original Score
*Best Use of Sound
*Game of the Year Runner Up

'''IGN Best of 2005 Readers' Choice'''
*GameCube Best Action Game
*Best Graphics Technology Overall
*Game of the Year

'''2006 IGN'''
*Ranked #1 on "Reader's Top 99 Games"

'''2005 Golden Joystick Awards'''
*GameCube Game of the Year
*Editor's Game of the Year

'''2005 ] Best of 2005'''
*Best Action Adventure Game
*Most Improved Sequel
*GameCube Game of the Year
*Game of the Year 2005 (GameCube Version)

'''2005 GameSpot Reader's Choice'''
*Best Action-Adventure Game
*GameCube Game of the Year
*Game of the Year 2005

'''] Best of 2005'''
*Best GameCube Action Title
*GameCube Game of the Year

'''2005 ] Awards'''
*Best Game Of 2005

'''Telewest Shiny Awards Games Digest'''
*Game Of The Year 2005

'''2005 ] Awards'''
*Game of the Year (Staff and Readers)
*Best Graphics (Staff and Readers)
*Best Storyline (Staff and Readers)

'''2005 ]'''

* Best Action Adventure Game of 2005
* Game of the Year 2005
* Ranked #1 in the "Top 10 GameCube Games"
* Ranked #4 in the "Top Ten Scariest Games of All Time"
* Five-out-of-Five (GameCube version)
* Five-out-of-Five (PlayStation 2 version)


'''] 2005's Best'''
*Best GameCube Game
*Game of the Year

'''GameFAQs Tenth Anniversary Contest'''
*Ranked #14 on "Best Games Ever"

'''2005 ]'''
*Game of the Year

'''2005 ]'''
*PlayStation 2 Game of the Year
*GameCube Game of the Year

'''2005 ]'''
*Editor's Choice Game of the Year
*Best Graphics

'''2005 ]'''
*Game of the Year

'''2005 ]'s Gaming Awards'''
*Game of the Year
*GameCube Game of the Year

'''2005 ] Magazine Editor's Choice'''
*Game of the Year
*Best Action-Adventure

'''2005 UGO.com'''
*Game of the Year

'''2005 ]'''
*Game of the Year

'''2005 ]'s Reader's Poll'''
*Game of the Year

'''2005 NGC Magazine'''
*Game of the Year

'''2005 ] Awards'''
*Game of the Year
*Best Action Game

'''2005 ]'''
*Game of the Year
*People's Choice

'''2005 Gamefly Q Awards Favorite'''
*Game of the Year
*GameCube Game of the Year

'''2005 ]'s (UK)'''
*Game of the Year
*Viewers' Game of the Year (both PS2 and GameCube)

'''2005 "] Awards"'''
*Game of the Year - GCN
*Best Graphics - GCN
*Best Sound / Voice Acting
*Best Adventure Game
*Game of the Year (Overall)

'''2005 ] "NP Top 200"'''
*Ranked #2

''']'''
*52 Games From 2005 We'd Still Be Playing

'''2006 ]'''
*2005 Game of the Year (tied with '']'')

'''2006 GameSpy'''
*Ranked #1 on "Top 25 GameCube Games of All Time"

'''2006 ]'''
*Runner up for "Game of the Year"
*Best Graphics

'''2006 IGN'''
*Ranked #3 on "Readers' Choice 2006 - The Top 100 Games Ever"

'''2007 EDGE'''
*Ranked #2 on "Readers' Choice 2007 - The Top 100 Games Ever"

'''2007 ]'''
*Ranked #1 on "Top 10 reviewed Games of all time."
</div>

==Cast==
*] — ]
*] — ]
*] — ]
* Salli Saffioti — ]
*] — ]
* Rene Mujica — ]
*] — ]
*] — ]
*] — ]
*] — ]
*] — ]/]
* Alex Mendoza — ]/]
* Carol Bach y Rita — ]/]
* Ward E. Sexton — Title Call

==Music==
{{main|biohazard 4 Original Soundtrack}}
The original 2-disc soundtrack CD for ''Resident Evil 4'', composed by ] & ], was released in ] on ], ] and its catalogue number is ''CPCA-10126~7 ''.


In June 2021, the photographer and author Judy Juracek launched legal proceedings against Capcom for using images from her book ''Surfaces: Visual Research for Artists, Architects, and Designers'' without her permission to create ] for multiple games, including ''Resident Evil 4'' and '']''.<ref>{{cite news |last=Carpenter |first=Nicole |url=https://www.polygon.com/22519568/resident-evil-4-copyright-infringement-lawsuit-capcom |title=Artist says Capcom stole her photos for Resident Evil, Devil May Cry games in lawsuit |work=Polygon |date=2021-06-04 |access-date=2021-06-23 |archive-date=August 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210814222613/https://www.polygon.com/22519568/resident-evil-4-copyright-infringement-lawsuit-capcom |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Yin-Poole |first=Wesley |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-06-05-artist-alleges-capcom-stole-her-photos-for-the-creation-of-multiple-resident-evil-and-devil-may-cry-games |title=Artist alleges Capcom stole her photos for the creation of multiple Resident Evil and Devil May Cry games |work=EuroGamer |date=2021-06-05 |access-date=2021-06-23 |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624204424/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-06-05-artist-alleges-capcom-stole-her-photos-for-the-creation-of-multiple-resident-evil-and-devil-may-cry-games |url-status=live }}</ref> The parties reached an undisclosed settlement outside of court in February 2022.<ref>{{cite news |last=Zak |first=Robert |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/capcom-resolves-lawsuit-over-images-used-in-resident-evil-4/ |title=Capcom 'resolves' lawsuit over images used in Resident Evil 4 |work=PC Gamer |date=2022-02-09 |accessdate=2022-04-08 |archive-date=April 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220408025103/https://www.pcgamer.com/capcom-resolves-lawsuit-over-images-used-in-resident-evil-4/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Capcom and Juracek have amicably resolved their dispute concerning the alleged use of her photos in Capcom's games. A dismissal was filed on February 7, 2022 with the District of Connecticut to end the lawsuit.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ssjr.com/news/st-onge-ip-resolves-dispute-with-capcom/ | title=St Onge IP resolves dispute with Capcom | date=February 7, 2022 }}</ref>


==Notes==
{{Notelist}}


==References== ==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}
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{{Reflist|2}}


==External links== ==External links==
{{Wikiquote}}
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* * {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100331142040/http://www.capcom.co.jp:80/bio4/english.html|title=Official website|date=mdy}}
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Latest revision as of 07:45, 19 December 2024

2005 video game This article is about the 2005 video game. For the 2023 remake, see Resident Evil 4 (2023 video game). For the fourth film in the Resident Evil film series, see Resident Evil: Afterlife. "RE4" redirects here. For other uses, see RE4 (disambiguation).

2005 video game
Resident Evil 4
North American cover art
Developer(s)Capcom Production Studio 4
Publisher(s) Capcom
Director(s)Shinji Mikami
Producer(s)Hiroyuki Kobayashi
Designer(s)
  • Hiroshi Shibata
  • Kouji Kakae
  • Shigenori Nishikawa
Programmer(s)Kiyohiko Sakata
Writer(s)Shinji Mikami
Composer(s)Misao Senbongi
Shusaku Uchiyama
SeriesResident Evil
Platform(s) GameCube
Release January 11, 2005
  • GameCube
    • NA: January 11, 2005
    • JP: January 27, 2005
    • PAL: March 18, 2005
  • PlayStation 2
    • NA: October 25, 2005
    • EU: November 4, 2005
    • AU: November 9, 2005
    • JP: December 1, 2005
  • Windows
    • AU: March 1, 2007
    • EU: March 2, 2007
    • NA: May 15, 2007
    • JP: June 7, 2007
    • WW: February 27, 2014 (HD)
  • Wii
    • JP: May 31, 2007
    • NA: June 19, 2007
    • EU: June 29, 2007
    • AU: July 5, 2007
  • iOS
    • NA: July 27, 2009
    • JP: July 28, 2009
    • NA: April 3, 2010 (iPad)
    • JP: May 21, 2010 (iPad)
  • Zeebo
    • BR: August 11, 2009
  • PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
    • JP: September 8, 2011
    • NA: September 20, 2011
    • EU: September 21, 2011
  • Android
    • JP: January 23, 2013
    • WW: April 23, 2013 (Samsung)
  • PlayStation 4, Xbox One
    • WW: August 30, 2016
  • Nintendo Switch
    • WW: May 21, 2019
    • JP: May 23, 2019
  • Oculus Quest 2
    • WW: October 21, 2021
Genre(s)Survival horror, third-person shooter
Mode(s)Single-player

Resident Evil 4 is a 2005 survival horror game developed and published by Capcom for the GameCube. Players control the special agent Leon S. Kennedy on a mission to rescue the US president's daughter, Ashley Graham, who has been kidnapped by a religious cult in rural Spain. Leon fights hordes of enemies infected by a mind-controlling parasite and reunites with the spy Ada Wong. In a departure from the fixed camera angles and slower gameplay of previous Resident Evil games, Resident Evil 4 features a dynamic camera system and action-oriented gameplay.

Development on Resident Evil 4 began for the PlayStation 2 in 1999. Four proposed versions were discarded; the first was directed by Hideki Kamiya, but series creator Shinji Mikami felt it was too great a departure from the previous games, so it was spun off as Devil May Cry (2001). Other versions were scrapped until Mikami took directorial duties for what became the final version. The game was announced as part of the Capcom Five, a collaboration between Capcom and Nintendo to create five exclusives for the GameCube.

Resident Evil 4 garnered acclaim for its story, gameplay, graphics, voice acting, and characters, and is cited as one of the best video games of all time, winning multiple Game of the Year awards in 2005. It was ported to numerous formats, and became a cross-platform hit, selling 12.3 million units by December 2022. It influenced the evolution of the survival horror and third-person genres, popularizing the "over-the-shoulder" third-person view used in games such as Gears of War, Dead Space, and The Last of Us. Its successor, Resident Evil 5, was released in 2009. A remake of Resident Evil 4 was released in 2023.

Gameplay

The player controls the protagonist, Leon S. Kennedy, from a third-person perspective. Departing significantly from the series' previous games, the gameplay focuses on action and shootouts with fewer survival horror elements. The camera is placed behind Leon and zooms in for an over-the-shoulder view when aiming a weapon, or a first-person view when aiming with a sniper rifle. There is no crosshair for firearms; instead, every firearm has a laser sight. Unlike previous games where players can only shoot straight, up, or down, players have more options. For example, shots to the feet can cause enemies to stumble, and shots to the arms can make them drop their weapons. Players can also shoot down projectiles like thrown axes or scythes.

An image of a young man defending himself against a horde of humanoid enemies in a village setting. The camera is behind the man's shoulder, placing him in the bottom left corner and the attackers in the background of the picture.
Leon fighting a group of Ganados. Unlike previous entries in the series, Resident Evil 4 has the camera following directly behind the character. The laser sight enables the player to target key zones on enemies.

Resident Evil 4 adds context-sensitive controls. Based on the situation, players can interact with the environment: kicking down a ladder, jumping out of a window, dodging an attack or executing a "finishing move" on weakened enemies. There are also quick time events, in which the player must press buttons indicated on-screen to execute actions such as dodging a falling boulder or wrestling an enemy to stay alive. These are often incorporated into the game's many boss fights, in which the player must avoid instant-kill attacks.

The main enemies are violent villagers referred to as Los Ganados ("The Cattle" in Spanish). Unlike the franchise's traditional zombies, they can dodge, wield weaponry like chainsaws and projectile weapons, and are capable of working collectively and communicating with each other. The villagers' leaders may transform into grotesque monstrous forms to do battle with the player when encountered. Other prominent enemies include the Regeneradors, a type of mutated humanoid creature with potent regenerative abilities; the troll-like El Gigante; and the gigantic sea creature Del Lago.

The inventory system features a grid system, represented by an attaché case, that has each item take up a certain number of spaces. The case can be upgraded several times, allowing for more space. Weapons, ammunition, and healing items are kept in the case, while key items and treasures are kept in a separate menu. Items may be bought from and sold to a merchant that appears in various locations. He sells first aid sprays, weapons, allows for weapons to be upgraded and buys various treasures that Leon finds. The various weapons each have their own advantages and disadvantages.

Capcom added content for the PlayStation 2 version, which was later incorporated into the PC and Wii releases. The largest addition is "Separate Ways", a side story which focuses on Ada Wong's involvement in Resident Evil 4 and her connection to the series' villain Albert Wesker. "Ada's Report", a five-part documentary, analyzes Ada's relationship with Wesker and his role in the plot. Other unlockable content in all versions includes the minigame "The Mercenaries" and short scenario "Assignment Ada" (using Ada to retrieve Las Plagas samples), new costumes for Leon and Ashley, new weapons, and a cutscene browser.

Plot

In 2004, U.S. government agent Leon S. Kennedy (Paul Mercier) is on a mission to rescue Ashley Graham (Carolyn Lawrence), the U.S. President's daughter, who has been abducted by a mysterious cult. He travels to an unnamed rural village in Spain, where he encounters a group of hostile villagers who pledge their lives to Los Iluminados, the cult that kidnapped Ashley. The villagers were once simple farmers until becoming infected by a mind-controlling parasite known as Las Plagas.

While in the village, Leon is captured by its chief, Bitores Mendez, and injected with Las Plagas. He finds himself held captive with Luis Sera (Rino Romano), a former police officer in Madrid, and former Los Iluminados researcher. The two work together to escape, but soon go their separate ways. Leon finds out Ashley is being held in a church and rescues her. They both escape from the church after Osmund Saddler (Michael Gough), leader of the cult, reveals his plan to use the parasite they injected into Ashley to manipulate her into injecting the president of the United States with a "sample" once she returns home, allowing Saddler to begin his conquest of the world.

After killing Mendez, Leon and Ashley try to take refuge in a castle but are attacked by more Iluminados under the command of Ramon Salazar (Rene Mujica), another of Saddler's henchmen who owns the castle, and the two become separated by Salazar's traps. Meanwhile, Luis searches for pills that will slow Leon and Ashley's infection, as well as a sample of Las Plagas. He brings the two items to Leon but is killed by Saddler, who takes the sample, while the pills to suppress the infection remain in Leon's hands. While in the castle, Leon briefly encounters Ada Wong (Sally Cahill), a woman from his past who supports him during his mission. He battles his way through the castle before killing Salazar.

Afterward, Leon travels to a nearby island research facility, where he continues the search for Ashley. He discovers that one of his former training comrades, Jack Krauser (Jim Ward), who was believed to have been killed in a helicopter crash two years prior, is responsible for her kidnapping in an attempt to get close enough to Saddler to steal his new Plagas sample. Ada and Krauser are working with Albert Wesker (Richard Waugh), for whom both intend to secure a Plagas sample, though Krauser is suspicious of Ada. Suspicious of the mercenary's intentions, Saddler orders Krauser to kill Leon, believing that no matter which one dies, he will benefit. After Krauser's defeat, Leon rescues Ashley, and they remove the Plagas from their bodies using a specialized radiotherapeutic device. Leon confronts Saddler, and with Ada's help, manages to kill him. However, Ada takes the sample from Leon at gunpoint before escaping in a helicopter, leaving Leon and Ashley to escape via her jet-ski as the island explodes.

Development

In 1999, producer Shinji Mikami said a Resident Evil sequel was in development for PlayStation 2. Resident Evil 4 underwent a lengthy development, during which at least four versions of the game were discarded. The first version was directed by Hideki Kamiya. Around the turn of the millennium, Resident Evil 2 writer Noboru Sugimura created a story for the game, based on Kamiya's idea to make a "cool" and "stylish" action game. The story was based on unraveling the mystery surrounding the body of the protagonist, Tony, an invincible man with skills and an intellect exceeding that of normal people, with his superhuman abilities explained with biotechnology. As Kamiya felt the playable character did not look brave and heroic enough in battles from a fixed angle, he decided to drop the prerendered backgrounds from previous installments and use a dynamic camera system. The team spent 11 days in the United Kingdom and Spain, photographing objects such as Gothic statues, bricks, and stone pavements for use in textures.

Though the developers tried to make the "coolness" theme fit into the world of Resident Evil, Mikami felt it strayed too far from the series' survival horror roots and gradually convinced the staff to make an independent game. This became a new Capcom franchise, Devil May Cry, released for the PlayStation 2 in August 2001.

"Fog" version

Development on Resident Evil 4 restarted at the end of 2001. The first announcement was made in November 2002, as one of five games developed exclusively for the GameCube by Capcom Production Studio 4, the Capcom Five. This revision, commonly dubbed the "fog version", was directed by Hiroshi Shibata and was 40 percent finished at that time. The game saw Leon S. Kennedy struggling to survive after having infiltrated Umbrella's castle-like main headquarters located in Europe and featured traditional Resident Evil monsters such as zombies. During the course of the new story which was again written by Sugimura's scenario creation company Flagship, Leon became infected with the Progenitor Virus and possessed a hidden power in his left hand. The producer of the final version also pointed out that Ashley did not appear back then, though there was a different girl who was never revealed to the public. The game was to feature some first-person elements.

"Hook Man" version

An image of a young man aiming his gun and flashlight at a hostile male figure wielding a large hook. The whole scene is marked by a bluish hue, giving the mansion environment an otherworldly feel.
This screenshot of a cancelled version depicts Leon fighting the hook man. Though this earlier revision still used fixed camera angles while exploring environments, the battles already employed the over-the-shoulder view seen in the final build.

At E3 2003, Capcom showcased a version widely known as the "hook man version". It was later titled Maboroshi no Biohazard 4 (幻の「バイオハザード4」, lit. "The Phantom Biohazard 4") on the Biohazard 4 Secret DVD. During Mikami's introduction of the trailer, he assured that development was proceeding smoothly and claimed the game was scarier than ever before. The story was set in a haunted building where Leon contracted a bizarre disease and fought paranormal enemies, such as animated suits of armor, living dolls, and a ghostlike man armed with a large hook. The game had an otherworldly feel to it, containing elements like flashbacks and hallucinations that were marked by a bluish tint and a shaking camera. It also displayed various gameplay mechanics that carried over to the final release, like the over-the-shoulder camera, a laser sight for aiming in battles and quick time events. Other features, such as dialogue choices, were removed later. Five minutes of gameplay footage were released on the Biohazard 4 Secret DVD, a Japanese pre-order bonus given out in January 2005.

"Hallucination" version

The Hallucination version had only a basic story concept, having dropped the previous scenario penned by Noboru Sugimura of Flagship. In 2012, Resident Evil 3: Nemesis scenario writer Yasuhisa Kawamura said he was responsible for this version, as he wanted to make Biohazard 4 scarier "and suggested using a particular scene from the film Lost Souls, where the main character suddenly finds herself in a derelict building with a killer on the loose. An arranged version of this idea eventually turned into Hook Man. The idea went through several iterations as Mr. Sugimura and I carefully refined this world (which, I have to say, was very romantic). Leon infiltrates the castle of Spencer seeking the truth, while inside a laboratory located deep within, a young girl wakes up. Accompanied by a B.O.W. dog, the two start to make their way up the castle. Unfortunately, there were many obstacles that needed to be overcome and the cost of development was deemed too expensive." Kawamura added he was very sorry and "even ashamed" that Mikami had to step in and scrap this version. After this attempt, the last cancelled revision featured classic zombies again. However, it was discontinued after a few months, and before it was ever shown to the public, as the developers felt it was too formulaic.

The story of the Progenitor Virus was eventually covered in Resident Evil 5 and the Spencer Estate became the setting for Resident Evil 5's downloadable content (DLC) pack "Lost in Nightmares" (featuring Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine).

Final version

It was decided to reinvent the series. Mikami took over directorial duties from Shibata and began working on the version that was released. In an interview with Game Informer, Mikami explained his decision to shift to a new gameplay system is due to the feeling that the older system is "more of the same" after playing Resident Evil Zero. He says that he only felt nervous once more when playing with the newer system. Speaking for the team, game producer Hiroyuki Kobayashi mentioned how the staff was "tired of the same thing" and how some got bored and moved on to other projects. In addition to that, the producer also felt that the older format was "stuck in a cookie cutter mold" and described it as "shackles holding us down".

However, some of the staff members disagreed about changing the gameplay system. These members felt depressed and were hard to motivate after the game's focus shifted to be more action-oriented. Although Mikami demanded the camera system be revised, the team had reservations about making big changes to the series he had created. Eventually, he intervened, explained his proposed changes, and wrote a new story that, unlike previous installments, was not centered on the company Umbrella. Mikami wrote the entire story in just three weeks due to time constraints. Inspired by Onimusha 3: Demon Siege, a game Mikami had enjoyed playing but felt could have been better with a different view, he decided to place the camera behind the playable character. To go along with the new gameplay and story, a new type of enemy called "Ganado" was created, as opposed to using the undead creatures from previous Resident Evil games. Furthermore, producers expended additional detail to modify and update characters that had previously appeared in the series. In a documentary explaining the conception of the characters, Kamiya stated he intended to make Leon Kennedy "look tougher, but also cool".

Kobayashi was responsible for the design of some of the final game's enemies, such as the Regenerators. Kobayashi described the creatures' origins within universe lore as byproducts of Los Iluminados' research into bio organic weapons, malformed creations implanted with multiple Plaga parasites during the experimentation process. Regenerators are designed to take distinct heavy breaths before they are seen, which alerts the player to their presence. When encountered, often in small confined spaces, they would walk slowly towards the player character. The Regenerator is capable of continuously regenerating itself and cannot easily be dispatched unless the player is able to find the Plaga parasites within its body, which can only be seen with the infrared scope, and specifically target them first. During an interview with Famitsu, Mikami explained that elements like the Regenerators help maintain the survival horror aspect of Resident Evil 4 as a balance between a "scary kind of gameplay and the challenge of overcoming that fear", with the goal of giving players a sense of achievement when they manage to overcome the monster.

The English voice actors recorded their parts in four sessions, over three to four months. Capcom assigned Shinsaku Ohara as script translator and voice over coordinator. Carolyn Lawrence, who provided the voice for Ashley Graham, described her character as "vulnerable, because Leon has to come to her rescue all the time". She also described Kennedy's character as "more brawn, perhaps, than brain". In addition to the voice acting, the game's designer detailed each cinematic sequence so that each character's facial expressions matched the tone of their voice actor.

Along with Resident Evil: Dead Aim and Resident Evil Outbreak, two side story games that did not fall under the exclusive policy, it was announced on October 31, 2004 that Resident Evil 4 would come to the PlayStation 2 in 2005, citing increased profit, changing market conditions, and increased consumer satisfaction as the key reasons. The PlayStation 2 version included new features, primarily a new sub-game featuring Ada Wong. On February 1, 2006, Ubisoft announced that they would be publishing the game on the PC for Windows. On April 4, 2007, a Wii version was announced and was launched later in the year. The game features all of the extras in the PS2 version, along with other additions, including a trailer for Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles.

Release

The original version for the GameCube featured two different collector's editions. The first was available as a pre-order that included the game, the Prologue art book, and a T-shirt. GameStop offered another limited edition that was packaged in a tin box with the art book, a cel of Leon, and a soundtrack CD. Australia received an exclusive collector's edition that came with the game and a bonus disc with interviews and creator's footage. Nintendo handled marketing sales and distribution of the title in Europe and Australia.

Ports

Resident Evil 4 was ported to the PlayStation 2 after Capcom stated that it did not fall under the exclusivity deal with Nintendo. It was released in North America on October 25, 2005. The largest addition is "Separate Ways", a new scenario for Ada written by Haruo Murata. According to producer Masachika Kawata, the Separate Ways campaign was something thought up by the PS2 porting team and was added after getting approval from Shinji Mikami. The port was later included with Code: Veronica X and Resident Evil Outbreak as part of the compilation Resident Evil: The Essentials. The PlayStation 2 version featured two standard and collector's bundles from pre-orders. The standard package included the game and a T-shirt, while the collector's bundle also included a figurine of Leon, and the soundtrack Biohazard Sound Chronicle Best Track Box. This quickly sold out, and a second pressing was released that included an Ada figurine. Another, called the Resident Evil 4: Premium Edition, was packaged in a SteelBook media case, along with the art book, a documentary DVD, and a cel art of Ada.

A PC port of Resident Evil 4 developed by Sourcenext was released in Hong Kong on February 1, 2007, published by Typhoon Games. It was released in Europe, North America, and Australia in March 2007 and was published by Ubisoft. The port contains the bonus features from the PS2 version, such as "Separate Ways", the P.R.L. 412 laser cannon and a second set of unlockable costumes for Leon and Ashley, as well as an Easy difficulty level. It also supports multiple widescreen resolutions. The shadow and lighting problems were fixed in the only patch, Version 1.10.

Resident Evil 4: Wii Edition was released for the Wii on May 31, 2007 in Japan and on June 19, 2007 in the United States. It features updated controls that utilize the pointing and motion-sensing abilities of the Wii Remote and Nunchuk, though both the GameCube controller and the Classic Controller are also supported. The Wii Remote is able to aim and shoot anywhere on the screen with a reticle that replaces the laser sight found in the other versions, and motion-based gestures are used to perform some context-sensitive actions, such as dodging or slashing. The Wii Edition also includes the extra content from the PS2 and PC versions, and a trailer for Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles. The Wii Edition became available for download from the Wii U's Nintendo eShop in Europe on October 29, 2015.

Resident Evil 4: Mobile Edition was released in Japan for au's BREW 4.0 on February 1, 2008. It was announced by Capcom at TGS 2007. Differences from the original include changing the flow of the story from being continuous to being divided into sections such as "Village", "Ravene", "Fortress" and "Subterranean Tunnel". There is also a more challenging Mercenary Mode. The game uses the MascotCapsule eruption engine and was adapted to the Zeebo and iOS platforms. On July 13, 2009, without any formal announcement, Resident Evil 4: Mobile Edition was released by Capcom for the iOS platform via the App Store in Japan, but was quickly removed, though some players were able to purchase and download it. The game has since been released in Japan and North America. Later, Capcom made an update that had different difficulty levels and high scores. Capcom released a new separate version called Resident Evil 4 for Beginners, which offers the first two levels (three counting a training level) of both Story Mode and Mercenary Mode. However, the rest of the levels are available for purchase in-game as downloadable content. Due to the release of the iPad, Capcom recreated the iPhone version of Resident Evil 4: Mobile Edition and updated it to HD graphics as Resident Evil 4: iPad Edition.

On March 23, 2011, high-definition remastered versions of both Resident Evil – Code: Veronica and Resident Evil 4 were announced to be in development for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, as part of the Resident Evil: Revival Selection series. The ports feature all the bonus content from the previous releases, including "Separate Ways". On July 23, 2011, Capcom announced at Comic-Con 2011 that Resident Evil 4 would be released on September 20, 2011 for the PlayStation Network and Xbox Live Games on Demand. In Japan, Resident Evil 4 and Resident Evil - Code: Veronica were released on a single disc with the title Biohazard Revival Selection on September 8, 2011. For North America and Europe, both games, including Resident Evil 4 HD, were only released as downloads on Xbox Live Games on Demand and PlayStation Network. On February 27, 2014, Capcom released Resident Evil 4 Ultimate HD Edition for Windows. The port features improved graphics and many other enhancements that were included in Resident Evil 4 HD. Resident Evil 4 was re-released on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on August 30, 2016.

In April 2013, Resident Evil 4 was released on Android, but outside of Japan, it is exclusive to Samsung through Samsung Galaxy Store.

Capcom announced in October 2018 that Resident Evil 4 would be published for the Nintendo Switch sometime in 2019, along with releases of Resident Evil and Resident Evil Zero. All three games were released on May 21, 2019 worldwide and on May 23, 2019 in Japan.

In October 2021, Capcom released a virtual reality (VR) version of Resident Evil 4 for the Oculus Quest 2. Developed by the American Armature Studio, many elements of gameplay like combat and inventory management were changed to accommodate VR. This version, which runs on Unreal Engine 4, also includes redesigned textures with increased resolution. The developers and executive producer Tom Ivey stated that there were changes made to "update the game for a modern audience", and a number of in-game animations (such as the animation triggered when players attempted to look up Ashley's skirt), dialogue and flirtatious banter between characters were removed.

Merchandise

Biohazard 4 Original Soundtrack was released in Japan on December 22, 2005. It contains 62 compositions from the game and the 48-page Visual Booklet with liner notes from composers Shusaku Uchiyama and Misao Senbongi. Other merchandise included figures by McFarlane Toys, NECA and Hot Toys. Agatsuma Entertainment has also created various miniature collectibles based on several main characters and enemies from Resident Evil 4. Two special controllers designed to resemble chainsaws were designed by NubyTech for use with the GameCube and PlayStation 2 versions.

Reception

Reviews

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
MetacriticNGC: 96/100
PC: 76/100
PC (Ultimate HD Edition): 79/100
PS2: 96/100
PS3: 84/100
Wii: 91/100
X360: 84/100
Review scores
PublicationScore
1Up.comNGC: A
PC: A
Wii: B+
EdgeNGC: 9/10
FamitsuWii: 38/40
GameSpotNGC: 9.6/10
PC: 7.8/10
PS2: 9.3/10
Wii: 9.1/10
GameSpyNGC: 5/5
PC: 3.5/5
PS2: 5/5
Wii: 5/5
IGNNGC: 9.8/10
PC: 7.7/10
PS2: 9.5/10
PS3: 8.5/10
Wii: 9/10
Nintendo PowerNGC: 10/10
Official Xbox Magazine (US)X360: 9/10
PC Gamer (US)PC: 85/100

The GameCube and PlayStation 2 versions of Resident Evil 4 have a score of 96/100 on Metacritic, indicating "universal acclaim". These versions have the top ranking on Metacritic's list of the Best Video Games for 2005. In addition to the gameplay, the characters and story received positive commentary, leading to the finished product being deemed by most as one of the best video games ever made. GameSpot's Greg Kasavin praised the voice acting, but claimed that it was betrayed by "some uncharacteristically goofy dialogue". Yahoo! Games' Adam Pavlacka and GameSpot's Kevin VanOrd acclaimed Capcom for adding great amounts of detail to the characters. IGN's Matt Casamassina went into further detail in his review for Resident Evil 4, praising not only the detailed character design but also the fight choreography and three-dimensional modeling within cinematic sequences. Casamassina also complimented the voice actors, especially Paul Mercier (Leon), commenting, "For once, the characters are believable because Capcom has hired competent actors to supply their voices. Leon in particular is very well produced". IGN and Nintendo Power specifically recognized Resident Evil 4's character design and voice acting. The increased variety of weapons has been praised by gaming publications such as GamePro and Game Over Online. G4 TV show X-Play gave it a 5 out of 5, for introducing a new style of gameplay for the series as well as incorporating moments where the player would have to interact with the cut scenes. Not long after, it was awarded as the best game ever reviewed on the show. The makers of Resident Evil 4 worked on various innovations associated with the use and inventory of weapons. Game Over stated that players can use the vast array of weapons to "go for headshots now". Game Informer stated that ammunition is more plentiful in Resident Evil 4 than in other games in the series, making it more action-oriented.

The ratings of the PC port, along with the Ultimate HD Edition release, were not as high as for the other versions. The original PC port was criticized for no mouse support and frustrating keyboard controls, low-quality FMV cut scenes, and choppy lightning graphics rendering. Despite these problems, it received generally positive reviews from critics, including IGN and GameSpot, which praised the gameplay, character models and environments, and sound design. GameRevolution referred to the game's Ultimate HD Edition as "a bare-bones port of a nonetheless spectacular game", noting "minor superficial alterations" similar to the 2007 PC port and asserting that the true "Ultimate Edition" of Resident Evil 4 is the Wii version. Japanese game magazine Famitsu reviewed the Wii version, with two editors giving it a perfect 10 score, and the remaining pair giving it a 9, resulting in a score of 38 out of 40. The reviewers felt that the new controls offer something fresh. Multiple reviewers agreed that even those who own the original will find something fun and enjoyable in this version. British magazine NGamer gave the Wii Edition a score of 96%, slightly lower than the 97% given to the GameCube version. They praised the visuals, controls, and features and commented on the fact that such an "exceptional package" was on sale for a low price; however, when writing about the Wii controls, they said, "if you've played the GC version this won't be as special". Official Nintendo Magazine gave the Wii version 94%, 3% less than the original due to it simply not having the same impact it did back then. In 2009, they went on to place the game 9th on a list of the greatest Nintendo games of all time. IGN praised the Wii version, stating it is the superior edition, but does not push the Wii like it did with GameCube and PS2. GameSpot praised the new controls of the Wii Edition but commented on the lack of exclusive Wii features. Hyper's Jonti Davies commended Resident Evil 4: Wii Edition for its "visual improvements" but criticized it for having "no new content". The PS3 version of Resident Evil 4 HD received a score of 9.0 from Destructoid, which called it "a hallmark of excellence". In their October 2013 issue, Edge retroactively awarded it ten out of ten.

Awards

Resident Evil 4 was named Game of the Year by multiple publications, including Edge, Electronic Gaming Monthly, GameTrailers, Game Informer, GamePro, GameRevolution, Chicago Tribune, and Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The game was also included in lists of the best games of 2005 by various media outlets, including Play, Associated Press, Universal Press Syndicate, The Mercury News, Maxim, Sound & Vision, The News Tribune, Hartford Courant, and The Oregonian. GameSpy labeled it the GameCube Game of the Year, the second PlayStation 2 Game of the Year (behind God of War) and the second Game of the Year (behind Civilization IV). PSM also labeled it the second Game of the Year, in addition to Best Graphics and Most Improved Sequel. At the GameSpot's Best of 2005 Awards, Resident Evil 4 was chosen Game of the Year, Best GameCube Game, Best Action Adventure Game, and Most Improved Sequel. It won Game of the Year, Best Action Game, Best Graphics Technology, Best Artistic Design, Best Original Score, and Best Use of Sound in the GameCube division of IGN's The Best of 2005 Awards, where it also won Overall – Best Graphics Technology award, as well as being a runner-up in the Overall – Game of the Year and Overall – Best Action Game categories. The game was 1UP Awards' Game of the Year and Best Action Game winner. It went on to win Game of the Year 2005, Best Horror Game of the Year 2005, GameCube Game of the Year 2005, and GameCube Action Game of the Year 2005 awards, and was a runner-up in PlayStation 2 Game of the Year 2005 and PlayStation 2 Action Game of the Year 2005 classifications at GameZone's Game of the Year Awards. Nintendo Power awarded Resident Evil 4 Game of the Year, Best Adventure Game, Game of the Year – GameCube, Best Graphics – GameCube, Best Sound / Voice Acting at its awards show. During the Nintendojo's Best of 2005 Awards, the game received recognition as the runner-up for Best Gameplay Innovation and Most Engrossing Game. Additionally, it emerged victorious in the categories of Best Game, Period., Best GameCube Visuals, Best GameCube Gameplay, and Best GameCube Overall. At the PALGN Awards, the game achieved success by securing the titles of Action Game of the Year for 2005 and GameCube Game of the Year for 2005, while also attaining the title of Overall Game of the Year for 2005. In the category of PlayStation 2 Game of the Year for 2005, the game earned the recognition of a runner-up position.

The virtual reality port of Resident Evil 4 was named VR/AR Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2021, and was also named XR Game of the Year at the SXSW Gaming Awards. At the 11th New York Game Awards, the game won Best AR/VR Game and Best Remake. Resident Evil 4 VR was nominated for Immersive Reality Game of the Year and Immersive Reality Technical Achievement at the 25th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards.

Year Award Category Result Ref(s).
2004 CESA Game Awards Future Award for Excellence Won
Game Critics Awards Best Console Game Nominated
Best Action/Adventure Game Nominated
Golden Joystick Awards Most Wanted Game For 2005 Runner-up
2005 CESA Game Awards Award for Excellence Won
Golden Joystick Awards GameCube Game of the Year Won
Editor's Game of the Year Won
Best Film-Based Game of 2005 Won
Spike Video Game Awards Game of the Year Won
Action Game of the Year Nominated
Best Graphics Won
2006 Annie Awards Best Animated Video Game Nominated
Famitsu Awards Grand Prize Won
Game Developers Choice Awards Visual Arts Nominated
Golden Joystick Awards Playstation Game of the Year Won
Ultimate Game of 2006 Nominated
Saturn Awards Best Video Game Release: Horror Won

Sales

The GameCube version sold over 320,000 copies in North America during the first twenty days. The European release sold its entire 200,000 copies during the first month. By December 2005, 3 million copies of the GameCube and PlayStation 2 versions had been shipped worldwide. According to January 17, 2007 sales figures provided by Capcom, the GameCube version of Resident Evil 4 had sold a total of 1.6 million copies worldwide, while the PS2 version had sold over 2 million copies. As of December 2022, Resident Evil 4 has sold 12.3 million units when combining all versions. It is the second best-selling Resident Evil game, and holds the record for "Best-Selling Survival Horror Game" in the 2012 Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition.

Legacy

Resident Evil 4 is considered one of the best video games of all time. It is included in the 1001 Video Games You Must Play Before You Die book. Nintendo Power ranked it as number one in their list of the top 25 best GameCube games of all time in 2005 and also ranked it second on their list of the best games of the 2000s in 2010. In 2008, Resident Evil 4 was ranked first place in the list of the best video games of all time according to the readers of IGN, and sixth place in the list of the best PlayStation 2 games of all time according to the IGN staff. In 2021, IGN ranked the game as the 40th best game of all time. In 2009, Game Informer ranked Resident Evil 4 number one on their list of top GameCube games and number three on their list of top PlayStation 2 games. In 2022, Complex magazine named it the tenth-best PlayStation 2 game of all time. ScrewAttack named Resident Evil 4 the best GameCube game of all time, while GamePro ranked it as the second best game for the PS2. In 2010, the readers of PlayStation Official Magazine voted it the 10th greatest PlayStation game. In 2007, Edge ranked the game at second place in its list of top games of all time, behind only The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. That same year, G4 named it the 21st top video game of all time, calling it "a modern horror masterpiece." In 2015, it placed 7th on USgamer's The 15 Best Games Since 2000 list. In early 2006, in their 200th issue, Nintendo Power ranked it in second place in their Top 200 Games of all-time list, also behind only The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.

Resident Evil 4 is regarded as one of the most influential games of the 2000s, particularly due to its influence in redefining the third-person shooter genre by introducing offset camera angles that do not obscure action. The new gameplay alterations and immersive style appealed to many not previously familiar with the series. The over-the-shoulder viewpoint introduced in Resident Evil 4 has later become standard in third-person shooters and action games, including titles ranging from Gears of War to Batman: Arkham Asylum. It has also become a standard "precision aim" feature for third-person action games in general, with examples including Dead Space, Grand Theft Auto, Ratchet & Clank Future, Fallout, Uncharted, Mass Effect and The Last of Us. In 2019, Game Informer called Resident Evil 4 "the most important third-person shooter ever" and said it "innovated two genres", inspiring developers of both survival horror and shooter games.

Resident Evil 4 redefined the survival horror genre by emphasizing reflexes and precision aiming, thus broadening the gameplay of the series with elements from the wider action game genre. However, this also led some reviewers to suggest that the Resident Evil series had abandoned the survival horror genre, by demolishing the genre conventions that it had established. Other major survival horror series followed suit, by developing their combat systems to feature more action, such as Silent Hill: Homecoming and the 2008 version of Alone in the Dark. These changes represent an overall trend among console games shifting towards visceral action gameplay.

While working on The Last of Us, Naughty Dog took cues from Resident Evil 4, particularly the tension and action. Dead Space designers Ben Wanat and Wright Bagwell stated that their game was originally intended to be System Shock 3 before the release of Resident Evil 4 inspired them to go back to the drawing board. BioShock was also influenced by Resident Evil 4, including its approach to the environments, combat, and tools, its game design and tactical elements, its "gameplay fuelled storytelling" and inventory system, and its opening village level in terms of how it "handled the sandbox nature of the combat" and in terms of "the environment." Bloodborne's environments, enemy design, and shift to a faster combat system compared to previous soulslike games was influenced by Resident Evil 4. Cory Barlog cited Resident Evil 4 as an influence on the God of War series, including God of War II (2007) and particularly God of War (2018), which was influenced by Resident Evil 4's "combination of poised camera exploration and scavenging". Uncharted director Bruce Straley called the Resident Evil 4 village sequence the best opening fight in a video game.

Resident Evil Village is heavily influenced by Resident Evil 4 with its own director stating, "If Resident Evil 7 was like a reboot that inherited the DNA of the original Resident Evil, then you could say that this time we're doing the same for Resident Evil 4. We've designed the game and its structure with Resident Evil 4's essence in mind".

The combat and sound design of the Regenerador and its spike-laden Iron Maiden variant have often been lauded as a memorable horror element of Resident Evil 4, in spite of the game's more action-oriented gameplay compared to its predecessors. Some critics have included the Regenerator in retrospective "top" lists of the scariest or most memorable monsters in video games. The Regenerators and the Plaga parasite serve as sources of inspiration for the development of the Necromorph monsters from Dead Space.

VentureBeat credits Resident Evil 4 as an early example of HD video game remasters. A remake of Resident Evil 4 was released on March 24, 2023 on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S. The remake was also announced for the iPhone 15 Pro, to be released between late 2023 to early 2024.

In June 2021, the photographer and author Judy Juracek launched legal proceedings against Capcom for using images from her book Surfaces: Visual Research for Artists, Architects, and Designers without her permission to create textures for multiple games, including Resident Evil 4 and Devil May Cry. The parties reached an undisclosed settlement outside of court in February 2022. Capcom and Juracek have amicably resolved their dispute concerning the alleged use of her photos in Capcom's games. A dismissal was filed on February 7, 2022 with the District of Connecticut to end the lawsuit.

Notes

  1. Original Windows version developed by Sourcenext; Oculus Quest 2 version developed by Armature Studio.
  2. Known in Japan as Biohazard 4 (Japanese: バイオハザード4, Hepburn: Baiohazādo 4)
  3. Shared with Kingdom Hearts II

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