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[IbizaPocholo]

It's Resident Evil 4 weekend on Digital Foundry! You've seen how good the remake is, we've extolled the virtues of the brilliant GameCube original, but what on Earth went wrong with the PC port back in the day? And what's the deal with the contentious PS2 port? Alex Battaglia and John Linneman have the story.

A Comparison of Resident Evil 4 on GameCube, PS2, and PC & The GameCube's Potential: A Look at Resident Evil 4​

Resident Evil 4, a popular game first released in 2007, was available on GameCube, PlayStation 2, and PC. The GameCube version had better quality in terms of water shading, plant life, contrast, and real-time rendering, making it the preferred version. In contrast, the PC version had issues with crops and aspect ratios, low resolution, and compression artifacts. The PlayStation 2 version had similar features to the GameCube version, but the changes in the opening sequence made it different.

Resident Evil 4 is considered by many to be a classic of the survival horror genre. It was initially released for the GameCube, and despite later versions on other platforms, it remains a standout game for the console. In this article, we'll take a closer look at why the GameCube version of Resident Evil 4 was so special.

Comparison of GameCube, PS2, and PC Versions​

In terms of the gameplay, the GameCube version of Resident Evil 4 was much sharper than the PC version, which had issues with crops and aspect ratios. The video cutscenes caused problems with low resolution and compression artifacts. The pause between the cutscenes was noticeable, which made it feel less organic. The GameCube version had better quality in terms of water shading, plant life, and contrast than the PC version. The PC version had no distance fog, and the objects were incorrectly lit. The contrast was all gone in the PC version, which affected the general color of the game. The car in the PC version was poorly shaded compared to the one in Enter the Matrix. The PlayStation 2 version had similar features to the GameCube version, but the changes in the opening sequence made it different.

Why GameCube version was Special?​

One of the standout features of Resident Evil 4 is the momentum of the enemies. When enemies come running down a hill towards you and you shoot them in the knee, the way they fall forward or stumble feels realistic and organic. This is due to bespoke animations based on location, which was started with games like GoldenEye. Resident Evil 4 took this feature and went even further with it, making it a unique and memorable aspect of the game.

Resident Evil 4's graphics were impressive for its time, especially on the GameCube. The game's use of atmosphere, such as the trees blowing gently in the wind and the mists floating, added to its immersive and cinematic feel. Even today, it's a visual treat, and the trees look fine and detailed, unlike many other GameCube games. Resident Evil 4 showcases the GameCube's potential when used correctly, as many other developers did not get the chance to play with the console to this degree.

Resident Evil 4 introduced the laser sight, which is a physicalized weapon within the game world. This feature adds precision and satisfaction to aiming, and it looks cool too. It was continued in Resident Evil 5, but later games in the series went back to a standard reticle. Many fans have been clamoring for the return of the laser sight, as it adds a unique and immersive aspect to the game.

Unfortunately, Resident Evil 4's PC port did not live up to the original GameCube version in terms of texture resolution. Many elements, such as trees and door textures, have been replaced with low-resolution textures that lack detail and immersion. The laser sight also suffers from incorrect transparency and elasticity, making it look out of place in the game world.

Conclusion​

Resident Evil 4 is a prime example of the GameCube's potential when used correctly. The game's bespoke animations, unique gameplay mechanics, and intense atmosphere set a new standard for survival horror games. Despite some graphical limitations, Resident Evil 4 remains a timeless classic and a must-play for any fan of the genre. Its impact on the gaming industry can still be felt today, with many games taking inspiration from its innovations. Overall, Resident Evil 4 is a shining example of how a well-crafted game can leave a lasting impression on players and influence the industry for years to come.

 

[SeraphJan]

Resident Evil game are tech show case for GameCube, RE0, RE1, and RE4, way ahead of their time

 

[Signal Rockets]

To be honest, I still prefer the original RE4 to the new remake. But it's not bad.

I still feel like 4 didn't need a remake, but I fully understand with Capcom being money grabbers, as to why they remade it before the remake of CV, which sadly wouldn't be very successful.

 

[Dane]

Didn't even know that DF covered this shitty port. The v1.0 was released in Japan outta nowhere IIRC, after multiple months delay, followed by Europe, based on the PS2 version rather than the GC, it didn't have any lightining. This was fixed weeks later with a 60mb patch and was pre-installed on the north american version.

 

[ProgenitorCastle]

Ngl, I'm sort of nostalgic for this version of RE4. It was really janky considering it's a shoddy port of RE4, which was much more polished on other platforms. But it was playable, and spawned many cool mods in spite of that jank

 

[SmokedMeat]

HD mod was amazing work.

Resident Evil 4 HD Project 1.0 Comparison Videos Highlights Texture Quality Improvements and More

New Resident Evil 4 HD Project 1.0 comparison videos have been shared online, highlighting the visual improvements over the vanilla release

wccftech.com

 

[kvltus lvlzvs]

Man, GC RE4 was a treat. One of my favorite gaming experiences of all time. It still stands the test of time to this day. I cant into the remake because of the movement - but movement in the original felt perfect. It was limiting, for sure, but it all worked seamlessly with the game itself.