10/06 Update: Since we no longer write for the Edmond Sun, this section is temporarily housing our podcast links for our iTunes feed. All of the columns are in the archives menu if you feel like exploring.

These columns (as well as the 'releases') come from weekly content that we write for the Edmond Sun, out of Edmond, OK (though we live in Chicago). This page contains the archives for said column, many of which are in their pre-published, unedited state. Some titles and editing by Brendan Sinclair.

Column Archives:

Resident Evil 4 review
Friday, February 04, 2005

A few weeks ago, I wrongly placed the Minish Cap ahead of RE4 as my choice for Game of the Week. At the time, I assumed Resident Evil 4 was merely the ninth entry in a series that has been seeped in mediocre gameplay for so long it has become nearly irrelevant. I was very, very wrong. After playing through RE4 in its entirely, all 27 hours of it, in little more than 3 days, I can say with no doubt that this is one of the best experiences I have ever had in 19 years of playing games. Since RE4 is much more action packed than what you'd expect in an RE titles, Capcom had to create scares other than limiting your agility and ammo. Instead, they crafted one of the most gorgeous worlds every seen in a game. Early in the game, it starts to rain so thick you can hardly see ten feet in front of you. And then a flash of lightning crashes down, momentarily casting light over the gloomy village in front of you. A brief glimpse of approaching monsters, illuminated for only a second, will send you running away in terror. The sound adds even more to the experience. Using a 5.1 setup, you can hear wind rustle from one speaker, and what sounds like slowly approaching footsteps from another. The music knows when to creak and groan and make your blood boil and knows when to remain silent, letting your heart provide the only rhythm. And just when you think you know all of Capcom's tricks, a new monster that flops and thrashes in ways that would make a contortionist retch, makes you scared to even touch the controller. RE4 gets the highest possible recommendation I can issue – the only game I have ever played that will find a permanent home, not only in my video game library, but in my nightmares as well.

- Tom


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