LogFAQs > #931038488

I feel there's enough gameplay variety to keep most of the game fresh.

Chapter 1 - Intro. Most encounters are tense because everything is new. Capped with a unique boss fight at the lake.

Chapter 2 - The village at night, which I feel is about as unnerving as most classic REs. Introduces Las Plagas to up the tension, as well as El Gigante and the fantasic cabin fight which keeps the game straddling that fine line between horror and action. Capped with the unnerving Mendez fight, which imo is as creepy as anything from RE0-3. This is probably my favorite chapter.

Chapter 3 - The pacing does dip here since 3-1 is so long, 3-3 is perhaps the shortest chapter in the game, and 3-4 is Ashley's chapter (which will naturally turn some players off). Nonetheless, the setting is completely changed with the introduction of the castle and the creepier zealot enemies. Novistadors and Garradors (the giant insects and blind claw-men) also keep things fresh. By this point, most enemies have attacks that can easily decapitate Leon, who fights back with the addition of a SUPLEX to his arsenal of attacks. Still, there are no climactic boss fights here and the sub-chapters are inconsistent, so I don't think this is one of the game's strongest parts. In its defense, here is where the game's campy reputation is best established thanks to Salazar.

Chapter 4 - Makes up for Chapter 3 in spades. This is where Leon truly begins to explore the castle's secret areas, uncovering lava chambers, death traps, an elaborate network of underground tunnels, and a literal mine cart roller coaster. Waves of enemies are tossed at the player, and the quickly changing environments and setpieces (coaster, massive Salazar statue, lava areas) keep things interesting. By this point, the game has evolved - or devolved, depending on one's perspective - to focus much more on action than horror, but moments like the brilliant Verdugo fight maintain a subdued atmosphere of unease.

Chapter 5 - This one is messy and a little all over the place. Regenerators are probably some of the creepiest enemies in a video game. They are formidable, awkward, and practically pulsate with discomfort. Everything about them - from the music, to their labored breathing, to their unnatural animations - is designed to unnerve the player. They are encountered one at a time and NEVER as part of an enemy wave. When these guys aren't around, however, innumerable soldier grunts are thrown at Leon - many now wielding armor and long range weapons. While I'm not sure, I get the feeling that Chapter 5 might allow Leon to rack up more kills than the first four combined. The game still tries to blend action and horror, but it feels a little inharmonious here, and I feel some players resent the game's final hours because they essentially do serve as the precursor to RE5 and 6. Additionally, the final boss kinda sucks.

So yeah, RE4 does labor a bit across the finish line, but that does little to detract from its reputation as an all-time classic, and I honestly feel it usually keeps things fresh enough to justify its length.

2 > 4 > 1 > 3 = 5

Sorry for the novella, but I'm having trouble sleeping and can chat about this game all day - LEON PLAY IT.
---

Yoblazer
https://imgur.com/gByqgPg