Top Video Games (With a Heavy Emphasis on Story) #4

4. Resident Evil 4 (2005) – GC

The Resident Evil games have always delivered a dependably-polished experience, although there were some bumps along the way via the series’ notoriously awful, non-canonical on-rails shooters. No one, however, was expecting anything as groundbreaking and genre-evolving as Resident Evil 4. Its revamped over-the-shoulder action has become a staple in some of today’s top titles including Gears of War. Developers took a huge risk forgoing the zombie antagonists for plague-crazed European villagers. To be honest there isn’t that big of a difference. The villagers shout and wield weapons, and some even movie quite quickly. You still get the claustrophobia of being surrounded by the enemy, and you are still always low on ammunition and health. This is Resident Evil, just with a much-needed update.

It’s no shock that Resident Evil 4 was the best-looking game at the time of its release. What is shocking is that the game was released exclusively (at first) for Gamecube: a system not often associated with superior graphical processessing power, especially compared to its beefier Sony and Microsoft competitors. The game is also huge, with creative, purposeful architecture designed to make you think about more efficient methods of destroying enemies aside from simply blowing their heads off. There are exploding barrels and other recognizable paraphernalia, but there are other less obvious strategies. Some villagers carry lanterns that, if shot, throw fire over the carrier. Villagers can be shot or kicked off of precipices, you can knock ladders down while villagers are mid-climb, and you can lead them into traps. Taking out crazed villagers is always fun, but nothing is more terrifying than being trapped with a chainsaw-wielding madman who usually appears from nowhere and is nearly invincible. The boss fights are cool too. You will become snagged to a lake monster, run from El Giganto, and tussle with hardened soldiers of fortune. My favorite enemy is a tortured strongman who has been blinded by a sadistic head piece. He can’t see you, but his ears are very sensitive so watch your step; he has meter long blades attached to his hands and flails widely when taunted. Fighting him is a real test of nerves.

Resident Evil 4 plays with shooter conventions. Headshots, an always dependable method for zombie disposal, are not always the best choice here as villagers suffering from advanced stages of plague can sprout grotesque parasitic appendages from their destroyed heads.

The story is ripped from a B-movie, just like every Resident Evil story, but is very effective at leading Leon Kennedy through gothic European churches, villages, and caverns. Exploring and puzzle-solving is the focus here, but the action elements are more fluid than the clunky system that limited the previous entries. Resident Evil 4 is the best of the series, and was awarded the game of the year award in 2005.