The game is really good. Graphics, gameplay, audio, pretty much everything holds up to date; the game has really aged well. Controls worried me at first but they actually work very well. The controls are robust, yet the controls provide a unique experience that you just don't get anymore.

The graphics are amazing for a 2005 game. The motion capture is extremely fluid; complemented with the lively facial expressions that are almost as good as modern games (and better in the case of games like Assassin's Creed). The environments are well designed with intricate detail everywhere you look, although I didn't like how almost everything in the village was brown. The environmental designers could have gone for a bit of orange and yellow if they wanted the game set in Autumn.

Resident Evil 4's audio design isn't easy on the ears, and that's a good thing for the most part. Getting into combat gives this eerie rumbling that makes you feel unwelcome, but it is played too much to the point of being annoying. The voice acting as heart and soul poured into it, and not just the main cast. The Ganados, Zealots and Soldiers all have pretty good voice lines. I especially like when the Zealots perform their zombified chants (my personal fav is 'Cogedlo'). All the guns have good audio direction. Big guns and good guns are beefy, small guns and weak guns have sound that is respective to their status. Ambient noise wasn't noticeable, which is what I like. The only audio that I hated was the Attaché Case's selecting of an item. I hate the metallic sound it makes.

I love all the characters. The Merchant is the best; his awesome voice and his epic lines getting me pumped to continue playing the game. Everyone is funny in their own way. Chief Mendez who doesn't even talk is still funny yet intimidating with how he just stares blankly. Salazar and Leon's beef is actually treasure as is Leon's beef with Saddler. The cheesy dialogue is really what I like to see in villains, especially the anti-American rhetoric. It manages to be funny constantly without overstaying its welcome.

It might seem odd with this game having tank control, but it really is a unique experience that you don't really get anymore. You have three speeds: walk, backwalk, sprint. It allows for really consistent, well-thought-out moments of evasion. While baiting out and dodging an attack might not be deeper than walking forwards then walking backwards, it still feels satisfying when you pull it off correctly, i.e., in the right situations. The Merchant system works superbly, especially as it is intertwined with the exploration. You explore to find resources and treasure/money. You can sell anything you own that isn't a key item. As you progress, money is easier to come by, allowing you to purchase the goodies that pack a punch. This includes guns as well as upgrades. The system is paced in a way that fits so well with the difficulty. You get progress just as the game does, no need to grind for a stupid amount of money or to get a high enough level. You earn enough money as you go along and exploration isn't necessary, it just gives those with a 'lack of skill' a boost. Guns are great. You've got your pistols which are weak 90% of the time but are useful for stunning and performing melee attacks. Knife helps you save ammo (not that you need to) and is vital in some parts of the game. Shotgun destroys at close range and provides easy area clearance. Rifle is for long range high damage. TMP is crowd control - good for stunning lots of enemies who are overwhelming you. Magnums have a kick and RPG is the boss killer. You can't go wrong with that, mate. Ashley controls surprisingly well; never really had a problem with her. The enemy variety is big and it's really good. This game always manages to shake things up with different enemy types. Even the island which has a bad flow has great enemy variety and placements.

Unfortunately, there are a few criticisms, but they are pretty minor and few in quantity. Firstly, ammo is just way too abundant. I was never running out of ammo unless I exclusively used a single weapon for a long period of time. It really hurts the resource management in the game. On the other hand, healing items are relatively scarce, which is a good thing in my opinion. There was also this one cutscene that really annoyed me. When Leon and Luis are tied up, a guy with an axe (that we never see in-game) attempts to murder them. Leon and Luis were tied up for a reason and Leon was injected with las Plagas. They weren't even attempting to escape, they were just talking. I also think the island section drags on for a bit too long, making the flow feel a bit incoherent.

9/10