Insider Inbox
Old Evil, Better Evil?
Is it just me, or does the pre-RE4 version of Resident Evil 4 look better than the final version of Resident Evil 4?!? I mean, this version of the game truly rivals anything that's ever been done on the Xbox, or any other system! Now don't get me wrong, the final version of RE4 looks fantastic, and the drop in quality makes sense due to the switch from an indoors environment to a wide open one, and the inclusion of some real form of AI, but its still kinda sad that the game had to go from looking un-frickin-believable to just unbelievable.
--Steve
You've seen the footage from the Biohazard 4 Bonus Disc then, eh? Yea, we were pretty impressed when we saw it here at the office. It was really like seeing exactly what they'd been promising before the current-style RE4 in playable form. I mean, that's what it was, but we just hadn't really seen it playable like that... It was easier to believe my eyes now that I've played RE4, but still it impressed me how much lighting and effects work was going on.
On a graphical level, indeed, they were really pouring everything into more detailed environments and characters, just in a smaller space.
So, yea, on some level I want that game still. What a great sense of atmosphere. I'd like to just to kind of play around with it because it looks so nice. However, it also made me realize why they made the choice they did. Resident Evil was getting really stale -- the zombies chasing you down narrow hallways, the twitch-scares, and the mansion-style settings really had been done to death (pardon the pun).
RE4 has reinvented the franchise. If we get an RE5 maybe it will follow in 4's footsteps, but even if it doesn't I really respect that RE4 feels so different. It's just a great, scary, creepy action game with great bosses and great pacing. It's also got a really original, almost real-life art-style for some of the stuff, too.
Anyhow, I hope Capcom has a chance to use this engine one more time on GameCube. I don't care if it's for mid-2006, even. It just deserves to be used more than once, as it's honed in on the hardware so well.
--Fran
Out of the Blue
What's this Lost in Blue on the DS? Is this a new franchise?
No, it's actually Survival Kids, which was announced for the DS a while ago. But, it's being called Lost in Blue now and this is the first we've seen it in action. I haven't played it yet, but at the very least it looks like a great adventure game to take on the road.
I've been waiting for more original DS stuff like that that actually looks like it uses the hardware in the right way. Lost in Blue seems varied enough to do that.
Maybe this and the release of New Super Mario Bros. may actually convince me to get the system (which I don't think is that worth it right now).
--Fran
Getting DICEy?
What's up with DICE this year? There doesn't seem to be any buzz about it at all except that Stan Lee will be there...
This year I don't expect DICE to be too amazing. I think a lot of people are holding out for GDC 2005 and, of course, E3 2005 which stands to be one of the biggest and most-thrilling in years.
I expect DICE to drop a few hints about Xenon and some next-gen stuff. But, I wouldn't expect much. Likewise, I'll be down there hopefully scoring a few interviews here or there. So, hopefully it's all worthwhile.
--Insider Inbox by Fran Mirabella III
