After hearing all the buzz on Resident Evil 4 on the iPhone, I had to check it out. After all, we are talking about one of the biggest gaming franchises of all time, and there aren't that many "scary your pants off" horror games on the iPhone. Would this mobile version live up to the name?
Alas, this game is a far cry from the original game. The iPhone version has some serious control issues and graphical limitations right from the get-go. I realize that it's not fair to compare a handheld version with the original console game, but in many ways Capcom is setting themselves up for the comparison. There are other issues as well.
Controls: While the original console version of Resident Evil started off as a game where you often times struggled with the controls, Capcom did dramatically improve the controls by the 4th version. Somehow the iPhone version takes it way back to the days where you are struggling with the controls again. After fifteen minutes, my thumbs were cramping up because of the constant movement required. As for using weapons, pressing each weapon's respective icon will toggle an equip or use action. Even the slightest slip of the finger can be death-bound when switching from gun to a knife in a middle of a close-encounter.
Enemies: The console version had plenty of enemies with substance and relentlessness. They went through doors and walls just to get to you, all from different directions. The iPhone version felt barron. Enemies were few-and-far-between.
Cut-Scenes: The interactive cut-scenes on the GameCube version were revolutionary because of its quick-action events, when the player had to immediately press the button to avoid getting killed instantly. Unfortunately they are missing in the mobile game. What is here are small, still pictures complimented with a terribly written script. Even a voice-over would've sufficed, but no go...
Check out this video I shot of the actual gameplay, and you'll see what I mean.
As you can see, I hated playing the game. It's a textbook example for how some games should not be translated directly on the iPhone. Let's hope these type of issues don't start to mirror Wii game library similarities. There's too many amazing ways developers can implement iPhone games, they just got to put a little more heart into it.
The game is already one of the most popular on the App Store, so it's clear that the game franchise has a big following. I get the feeling that many gamers wished they saved their money for something better, like upgrading to a super-size meal.
If you really want a tastes of zombies on the go, try the trial version first.
