Resident Evil 4 (PC) - Part 2

Previously Leon S. Kennedy former Raccoon City police, become special agent that's tasked with searching for President's daughter in desolated part of Spain. But later he's trapped within some rural area full of angry villagers. He manages to rescue some hostage but not the president's daughter sadly. Then he's defeated by The Undertaker impersonator and everything turns dark.

While still unconscious, someone inject Leon with something on his neck. Whatever that is, i don't think it's multivitamin supplement or other good thing.

 

As Leon open his eyes, he find himself tied with the man he rescued before. His name is Luis Sera who's also ex-police like Leon. I think they can get along fine for now.  

But suddenly...

 

Oh, shoot! Surprise QTE time! I thought i can relax a bit longer while we're still tied. Pressing X and C button? I know they're close each other but it feels unnatural or counterintuitive to press both of those buttons. First time, it takes me by surprise. Ded. But i'm prepared for the second time.

 

Upon successful QTE, we manage to avoid the incoming axe chop and cut the bind in process. Afterward, Leon kick the maniac into the wall so hard, breaking his neck. Luis run first as i want to follow him, i'm interrupted with Hunnigan's call. "Tied up". Very funny, Leon.

 

Upon exiting this small building, i'm greeted with everyone's beloved yet mysterious merchant. I can understand why everyone likes him. But my favorite merchant in video game is still the shopkeeper in Legend. :P

 

You're out of First Aid Spray? How am i supposed to do with the lack of healing item situation here? :(

But i take the Treasure map. They said "You have to invest money for more money". I hope this treasures have bigger value than the price of the map which is 3,000 PTAS.

 

I can sell stuffs to the merchant including healing item! Why would i want to sell those healing herbs and First Aid Spray that very vital for survival? Maybe there's someone out there sell them for new gun. Who know?

 

Or maybe to save space for this briefcase? But that's more risky than worth. Instead, i want to sell these grenades that i hoarded but the merchant doesn't accept them. I can discard them but i feel it will be worth it against tough enemy armed with chainsaw. I know i said that i'm new to the game but i peek a bit from some playthrough video plus i encountered their kin before in Resident Evil 5. I finished it several years ago but i still remember how tedious fighting the chainsaw enemy without grenade.

 

Other thing that relatively compared to first trilogy Resident Evil is sniper rifle and i get the sniper scope as bonus. It begs question though. Why would i want long range rifle without the scope attachment? I could buy the scope first but without the rifle it seems pointless. The strength of gun is measured relatively to the power of handgun instead of just some constant value. Strange but i like the gun power stat, somehow.  

 

Apparently the treasure map also reveal the location of those blue medallions. So the map definitely worth it! Unless you want to see them by yourself or constantly reading walkthrough to save 3,000 PTAS.

Sniper_positivevocalization02.wav. This rifle can hit 2 enemies at once! Reminds me of Team Fortress 2's Machina sniper rifle although i only use it in 2 occasions back when i was still active in Team Fortress 2. We're currently at mountain part of the village with lots of chasm for the villagers to fall into.

 

I can shoot their leg and they will fall down to chasm. Saving time, effort, and bullet to kill them. But i don't get any loot for them if they fall off. Oops!    

 

I spot some red barrel and it explodes when i shoot it. How cliché! But there's only like 2 enemies caught up in that explosion. I should save it when fighting more than 2 enemies. Actually that's what happen after i get a piece of emblem. I'm overwhelmed. Running out of ammo and health ammo. Dead.

 

This time i'm doing better. Not because i use the explosive barrel in better opportunity but i take the combat in this spot which is better. They have to go through two ladders before they can reach me. I can make them fall off the ladder simply by putting 1 handgun bullet at them. It's hilariously to see them struggle to get here and fail miserably once i shot them.

It's over my enemies! I have the high ground! :P  

 

I got all of the emblem piece. I can or rather -must- combine it first in key item menu before i can use it to open important door nearby. Thankfully the key item (and treasure item) is in separate inventory than the briefcase.

After more running and shooting enemies...

 

I encounter this door with turnable symbol. I don't know exactly the solution step by step. I just randomly turn the symbol into like the one engraved on the left or right part of the door. I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed but hey! I got this puzzle correctly though.

 

Oh no! I'm ambushed by The not Undertaker again. He can chokeslam choke me to death but he choose not to because he know that i will soon join the cult soon or later due to parasitic thing that injected into my neck.

But then...

 

As soon as i leave that house where i choked by The not Undertaker, this chainsaw bastard eager to chop me into pieces. Unlucky for him, i keep these many grenade just for this occasion. So it's perfect time to me to explain how the grenade work. The grenade throw has the natural trajectory like lightly throw stone or whatnot. But since the combat often in close range, you probably want to aim the grenade on the ground instead at the enemies directly hoping to explode sooner. But if you throw incendiary grenade too short or low, it won't be efficient because the flame wall created by it has short duration and small. You better throw the red grenade directly at the enemies for this case. Flash bang/stun grenade doesn't bring damage to either enemies or you but you will make them blinded/stunned so you can kick them hard or you can run away from them, repositioning yourself to safer spot. The frag grenade is the standard explosive grenade. You can throw it low but be careful not to hurt yourself.

 

I thought killing chicken is not as beneficial as killing crow. However dead chicken sometime drop egg that's useful as emergency healing item. Medic_sf12_badmagic05.wav

Further later...

 

I arrive at graveyard and church area. It's said that Ashley is inside of the church but i don't go there yet. There's this precious gem inside of this puzzle contraption. I can only lit dial that's 2 or 3 next to previous ones. Eventually i manage to lit all of the dials but nothing happens. Maybe i miss some hint.  

 

I'm looking for the puzzle hint in graveyard and i find it. There's this twin big tombstone that's different from other grave. I think it differentiates between nobleman's grave with the peasant's. Each of the big twin tombstone has certain symbol on it. They're V, S-like, and M or upside down W.  I return to that dial machine, turn on the dial with these 3 symbols, and it works! I can get this expensive gem, finally! Demoman_mvm_loot_rare01.wav

 

I decide to explore further instead of entering the church but Hunnigan stops me and forces me to go to church first. However the church's door is locked and Hunnigan comment about me have lockpicking lesson at the academy. Do i look like Jill Valentine, the master of lockpicking to you? >:I

 

Where can i find the key for the church? At least Hunnigan doesn't stop me from walking down the path anymore where the other blue medallion hanging around [Metaphorical and literal meaning]. Once i destroy them, i submit the quest to the Merchant and he gladly gives me this special gun...for freaking free! Sniper_mvm_loot_rare03.wav

Note: You may don't want to fully upgrade the initial handgun because your budget is more worthy to upgrade this special handgun instead.

 

Maybe i miss the key somewhere on my way to church? So i backtrack to where i came from. When i step into the room next to corridor where i got ambushed by The not Undertaker, he ambush me again but this time Ada Wong safe me by shooting him few times through window and she leaves. The not Undertaker chase after her leaving me clueless about where's the damn key.   

I find this document regarding the church's key on the shack in canyon platform which is located in the path where Hunnigan forbids me to go there first. Why can i just go there without Hunnigan's interfere because this document definitely important to the main objective! Or why they don't put this document by the church's door or anywhere else except in the forbidden path, hmm? I'm quite irritated with this strange flow of progression. So far the progress path is linear or easily understandable but not in this case.  

 

I use the special handgun to slaughter these crows. You see that shiny cylinder veil? That indicate item dropped on dead body. Nice details. Also i want to point out that these crows don't care that their friend being slain next to them. Apathy is awful thing, reader.   

 

I arrive at swamp area. On one occasion i break open small box and snake appears from it ready to bite me but suddenly it turns into this golden egg. Scout_sf13_magic_reac06.wav

After even more exploring and killing locals...

 

Good news: finally i find the other police. Bad news he's drowned by the evil villagers and something huge eat him. Oh, wait! I did this double standard news in previous part, didn't i?

According to the document the church's key is somewhere across the lake and i must defeat this so called "Del Lago" before crossing the lake safely. Oh, i see. This so-called Del Lago is pretty much Hapurubokka/Nibelsnarf but on water. I hope i have some Large Barrel Bombs with me but no. I guess i have to make do with these infinite harpoon. Although my boat is tied to the huge monster, i can steer it a bit to avoid flotsam that can knock me out of the boat and also injure me.

Note: i know how to steer the boat from reading this guy's article. You should read this one too!  

 

When i'm out of the boat, Del Lago try to eat me while i'm swimming back to my boat and i have to mashing buttons in order to do so. This camera perspective reminds me of Lake Placid or Jaws movie.

 

Del Lago will attack me frontally when he's not dragging my boat around. I like to point out 2 things. First, when i'm ready my harpoon, there's red crosshair to track my aim instead of laser pointer. Why i can't have that crosshair for the entire combat besides this boss fight? If Leon has ability to make unreal projection of crosshair. I prefer that over the itty bitty laser pointer. Second, that gaping mouth really reminds me of  Hapurubokka/Nibelsnarf. By the way, you should throw harpoon at said mouth to interrupt his attack.

 

With enough dozen harpoons at his back or inside his mouth, Del Lago is defeated but he's not down yet. Somehow this rope that tied to Del Lago binds Leon's leg and i have to mash "X" button to cut it. Another 2 thing that i want to point out. First, the way Leon chop the rope furiously. I don't think it's safe way to do it. He can accidentally cut his leg. Second, is it just me or Leon's body physique seems less humane? His right shoulder become twice bigger than from normal human.  

 

Leon safely cross the lake. He feels sick (most likely due to the parasitic thing on his body) and pass out for awhile on a cabin. Later he wakes up and encounter villager that suddenly his head explode to reveal that tentacle thingy, i don't know what it's called. But i know this type of enemy is not fun in Resident Evil 5 and i don't think the feeling is different here. They're significantly tougher than ordinary enemies and discourage me to headshot. They does less flinching when get shot and their tentacle range is quite long yet deadly.  

After even more exploring and killing enemies. Also solving more puzzle...

 

Finally i find the church's key which is this insignia, behind waterfall. Time to head back! Luckily there's underground river that leads me to underground cave with typewriter and the merchant. I don't have to get across the lake again.

But then...

 

You remember the place where i slaughtered lots of crow? Turns out it's arena for this boss fight. The villager pull the giant from the cave where he dwells. But apparently he also hates villager as he kill them one by one. One get slammed. One get stomped. Bunch of them get kicked. And the last villager is killed with his friend thrown by the giant. I feel like this giant like Cyclops from Gods of War game but -you know- has one more eye.

 

Look, who's helping me in this boss fight. It's the dog that i rescued. I mean sure they can't bite the giant's leg much like dog in Crusader of Centy, i think. What they can do is distract the giant while i'm either shooting at him or reloading my weapon. Perhaps because the dog is small and fast, the giant has hard time hitting the dog so don't worry about them and just focus on shooting the giant.  

 

I take shot at his head with either handgun or scoped rifle. Aiming with the rifle is slightly hard because scoped aim is slow with small vision. Anyway after the giant get headshot several times, he kneels in pain and his back revealing the tentacle thingy. Obviously, that's his weak point.

 

I can trigger combat QTE where Leon will slash the parasitic tentacle thing with his knife every time i mash the button. This is less cool than Kratos jabs the blade of chaos into Cyclops eye but i take it. With that the giant is dead and i can continue to rescue president's daughter but off the record. I don't want to bore you with something that you already know further.

 

Capcom's Resident Evil 4 (2005/2014) is phenomenal when it first came out. It's drastic change from the first 3 main Resident Evil games. Did you know that Dead Space take inspiration from this game? Or to be more accurate, Electronic Arts force Visceral Games to shape Dead Space's gameplay like Resident Evil 4. Despite its famous, i feel like RE 4 is overshadowed by RE 5 or Dead Space 3 that i played before. My first complaint is the control. Why reload only enable while aiming? Then there's 2 type of turning button: one for camera and the other for Leon himself because control for camera and character's view are different unlike most game of its kind that merge both camera and character's view. It's redundant scheme in my opinion. I was expecting "A" and "D" buttons to strafe left and right like in other game of its kin or (standard modern First Person Shooter) for smooth experience but no. They're for turning Leon left and right. It requires me to get used to for quite long time. Second is the lack of gun especially compared to RE 5 or DS 3 that i mentioned. There's reason why "Gun" is rhythmic with "Fun", stranger. Heh! Naturally, RE 5 is refined from RE 4. They also change the protagonist's prowess from Leon the boulder runner into Chris the boulder puncher :p. While DS 3 allow me to create/customize my gun. I can buy a submachine gun but the ammo for it is really. I only find 2 box of it so far and the merchant don't sell ammo. Thus i don't see the reason why i have to buy the SMG. Third the run is so slow. Protagonist at previous RE (including Leon himself) can run as fast as Duke Nukem on steroid. But Leon here run so slow like multiply 2.5 speed of snail at most. The run is barely suitable to escape. It's only good for relocate Leon into better spot to fight. The enemy AI is reasonable. Killing enemy not only to secure area but also to get small loot vary from money to bullet but not healing herb sadly. Enemies don't respawn so i can't farm money but at least the previous area is totally secured once the enemies are gone. There's money act as additional resource besides bullets and healing items. You can buy items and upgrade weapon with it which also important part of the gameplay. Because enemy don't respawn, you have to manage the money carefully. Puzzles are beautifully made and the reward for solving the optional ones is nice. The graphic is pretty good for its time and they flourish the game with some graphic detail that i like. The sound effect is adequately good.  

As i have said before that i feel Resident Evil 4 (2005/2014) is behind RE 5 and DS 3 in combat gameplay and felt too boring but it has interesting optional puzzles. Thankfully, Capcom tune up the combat gameplay in the remake with more weapon, and knife stealth kill. They also add bigger indication when the enemy is stunned or in pain and opted for the mighty kick. But the original is fun as it is. I don't think this game need my recommendation because you most likely have played it. But if you feel like to play the game or the remake. Go ahead then! Just remember not to try kick someone with imposing look like The Undertaker.

Note: My work schedule is slightly better. So i have more time to write article than when i'm busy. But there's still a chance that my work schedule will be busy again.

Resident Evil 4 (PC) - Part 1

The remake of Resident Evil 4 is out and everyone is hyped for it. Meanwhile, i never played the original because my parent don't allow me to have Playstation 2. But i will play the PC version of Capcom's Resident Evil 4 (2005/2014) here and now!  

There's Leon S Kennedy, one of protagonist of Resident Evil 2. He's with Ashley the president's daughter. Not the one in Dynamite Cop, mind you. You most likely know already that the major part of this game is escort mission with the president's daughter. So this title screen is extremely accurate to the gameplay. Although i don't see the urgency to escape from the enemies on their expression as if they're on impromptu yet fun date. Anyway, let's go to New Game immediately!

 

The game is kind to tell you the summary of 3 previous Resident Evil games. Hey! I recognize that face snapshot. It's from opening CG of Resident Evil 3.  

 

Umbrella corporation begin to collapse as their gigantic foul deed is exposed. Obviously, people don't tolerate their crime that makes zombie outbreak  in entire Raccoon City. That's good but how become of Carlos, one of Umbrella's mercenary? I hope he works in better place and away from any evil corporation.

Six years later...

 

Leon is some sort of secret agent (i think) and he's tasked with finding president's daughter in some desolated corner of Spain. He's not alone though. He's accompanied by 2 policemen. Leon casually tells them that he's on mission to search for president's daughter. How bold of him! I guess Leon is so trustful to this newly-acquainted officers.    

 

Eventually Leon get off from the car while the polices stay in car just in case someone will charges parking fine, said one of them. Who will charge parking fine in this forest? Forest ranger or Big Foot? They don't have the right to charge police officer. Ok. Maybe not the latter ones. Big Foot will charge and trample anyone who make them angry, for sure.

Anyway as soon as Leon get off the car, Hunnigan contacts him from this video call that looks like from codec from Metal Gear Solid. From this "not" Codec call, i was expecting Mei Ling to call me but no. I have to be settled with someone less cute and more serious person, Ingrid Hunnigan here.

 

I told that i'm new to Resident Evil 4 but i know that it's beneficial to kill crows so i do that. Right mouse button to start aim, mouse movement to move my aim, and pressing left mouse button to fire my gun. So far the control is sensible.

 

There's this exactly one house that stands out in this area and separated from village. Time this ask this local fellow about president's daughter and i happen to have photo of her. Have you seen this girl, good sir? No! I'm not looking for Cheryl, please.

 

Suddenly this local attacks me with hand axe while muttering words in Spanish. I'm not well versed in Spanish but i recognize word "Cabron" that he muttered. It means bastard. That alone is strong reason to shoot him few times and kick "through" him. When i shoot enemy's head or limbs, they will be stunned and i can follow it up with strong kick by pressing use/operate/action button (default "E" button).

 

Suddenly, someone block the main door of the house that i entered so i have to find another way out. While doing so i found this box of handgun ammo. There's no Kendo gun shop brand on it but i will still take it. It begs question though why the owner of this house keep handgun ammo but doesn't own handgun himself?

 

I have no choice but to make daring exit through window on 2nd floor. Leon's stunning escape maybe remarkable but i'm more impressed with the effort of developer team to put tiny glass shards from window that Leon broke. See those white spots on ground? Those are what i'm talking about.

 

I can ready my knife by holding left control button (not default) and start slashing by pressing left mouse button. I appreciate this ready melee weapon shortcut because i tend to be cheapskate regarding spending my bullets on enemies. However the stun capability of the knife slash, is quite weak. Besides some enemies have longer melee weapon like axe or pitchfork. 

 

It seems the locals don't respect the law as they push the police car's into riverbed. They also cut the bridge that we went through. No turning back, then.

 

The reloading process is not good in my opinion. The first time i press "R" to reload, Leon does nothing. I thought there's something wrong with control setting but no. I have to aim my gun first then Leon can reload his gun. Why i can't just reload when i'm not aim my gun like in other game like in previous Resident Evil, huh?

 

I know killing crows is beneficial. But why i can find hand grenade in one of them? Did the crow eat hand grenade to improve their digestion? Or did they give birth to hand grenade? Sniper_sf13_magic_reac06.wav

 

There's dog trapped with bear trap. They don't look like zombie dog so i rescue them. Now go away and bark somewhere else!      

 

The crazy locals refuse to use gun but they deploy tripwire trap attached to dynamite! Zombies don't do this.

 

Another new thing compared to previous Resident Evil is breakable crates. Most of them contain useful item but this particular one is empty. Demoman_negativevocalization06.wav

 

Suddenly Hunnigan sends me game manual. Am i that terrible at playing Resident Evil 4? Excuse me. This is my first time, ma'am!

 

Good news: i find one of the polices that accompany me. Bad news: he's dead and hanging in bonfire like in witch hunt era. I understand the villagers do their routine without bothered with the hanging corpse because they did that. But the chicken just walk around like nothing unusual happens. Damn you, insolent chicken.

 

Wow! i can kick 2 enemies at once even though i executed it on the old lady. That old man is side target from my kick. Mighty foot engaged! Heavy_domination02.wav    

 

Some villager chokes me. I mash a button to set myself free and kick him hard in the chin. Heavy_meleeing03.wav

 

I'm hurt badly time to use herb that i kept for moment like this. As classic as it gets, i mix green and red herb to make healing item that's 3 times stronger than a single green herb. When those herbs combined, it's stored within tube and not just in a smoking paper like before.   

 

Suddenly church bell ringing. The villagers stop rampaging and get into the church. How religious they're. Impressive.  

 

Leon's reaction is he looks around with arm stretch out and says the famous line "Where's everyone? Bingo?". The way he turn around and says catchphrase, reminds me of Dante from Devil May Cry but Leon will never be as awesome as the legendary demon hunter. Then the camera zoom out and game's title appears! Cliché.

 

With the villagers busy praying, presumably. I can searching for items around here peacefully. Hey! Chicken shouldn't be indoor. Rude! So i have right to kill the chicken with my knife. I don't want to waste bullet on some unflying bird. Stop running away, you damn chicken! Finally i cornered them near stove. I should put the git inside of it, cooking them to perfection but their dead body gone immediately right after they giving up the ghost. Check out those flying feathers as i skewered them. Again. Details.

 

None of the villagers use gun but i find this shotgun with perfect condition hanged on the wall. Don't mind if i take it. I know about the shotgun whereabouts before. I could take it to blast away those villagers but it will triggers someone with chainsaw that can instantly kill me so i didn't take it. Or is that happen in remake only?

 

I find this gem hanged outside of the same house where i found the shotgun. Medic_mvm_loot_rare02.wav

 

Not long ago after that, i find yellow herb. What's this new herb does? Apparently, it can boost my maximum health! But only if mixed with green herb. That sounds bit redundant. Can i just eat it alone without sacrificing green herb to make it work, please?

 

I find a document regarding Leon and instruction to treat him hostility. No wonder that git try to chop me with axe while saying "Bastard"

 

The savepoint in this game is the same old typewriter but i don't need ink ribbon to use it! Revolutionary!   

 

There's shiny hanging right above this bucket full of muddy water. I think it's mixed of animal dung. I don't want the shiny goes to that foul dirty water. So i shoot the stick that supports the lid before shooting the string that hang the shiny. That way i close the bucket and retrieve the shiny successfully. Nice and simple puzzle.

 

The wolf is back and they bark at me for no reason. Also they run away when i approach them. Do whatever you want!  

 

I find this creepy note about destroying blue medallion will grant me some kind of reward. I'll do it! The reward better be worthy, though.

 

Some enemy try to cover their face to prevent headshot but their knee is vulnerable. "I used to be adventurer like you, until i took bullet to the knee and kicked really hard by some American agent"  

 

When i move on to next part of the village, some villagers push boulder at me and i have to dodge it with QTE! I should know that i will get irony punishment for having unhealthy fun of dropping giant rocks on people in Kagero - Deception II. Demoman_negativevocalization04.wav

Oh! Oooops! I accidentally trigger every explosive trap in this shed when i'm freaking sure that i just shot an insect on the wall. I swear! Good thing i have some maximum health upgrade before this happens.  

 

Ok. These old fashioned villagers don't use gun but they start throwing dynamite now! So basically they're cultist in Blood but without machine gun or shotgun. Got it!

 

I find some hostage hidden inside of the cabinet but not the president's daughter. I guess i have to keep searching after releasing this guy from his binding.  

 

But i caught up with the villagers and Mr. X. No! He looks more like The Undertaker! I don't know why Leon decides to kick him instead of shooting him with shotgun which he should do! The Undertaker catch his foot and flip Leon up to the unknown hostage then they both knocked out cold.

 

Then the chapter ends. That was intense. To be continued on next part.   

I have bad news for you, dear reader. I'm busy with my official work for months thus my writing routine is greatly disrupted but i try to continue my article. I have some plan to sneak my writing time between work. Let's hope it works.