Resident Evil

[Rakala]

Terribly sorry that I can't remember every Resident Evil game, but there sure are a lot of them. I have recently been playing 4 and have enjoyed it, all except the damsel in distress. I am also working on getting The Umbrella Chronicles because I've heard nothing but good things.

[Dannysaysnoo]

Nemesis was definitely the best one, so much more interactivity and choice. Not to mention Nemesis breathing down your neck all the time, jumping out and eating your face.

[Kenji]

Outbreak. I'm a co-op kinda person.
That and no one, save for maybe Yoko, in the group was anything special. Just regular townsfolk.

[Saist]

From a technical standpoint... hands down RE:4. It finally dropped the ridiculous control scheme that plagued all Resident Evils before it, and dropped the boo, ack, RUN formula previous titles relied on. The Wii port also scored points for making the good control scheme even better, while still allowing the control schemes from both the GCN and the PS2 versions.

From a story point, I'd again say RE:4. RE:4 relied on more subtle story telling and overtones than outright scares and boos horror. At the same time, it had it's share of moments that could make you download some brownware. Especially when IT comes bursting out the wall and chases you down.

[Janus Whitefurr]

Nostalgia makes me say RE2. I loved William "Imma just mutate whenever you beat me" Birkin like nothing else.

Code Veronica was also good, and reintroduced Chris (almost wrote Christ. Hmm.) into the game.

And like Kenji, I'm fond of the just-regular-joe approach that Outbreak had. Even if Australia never got online play and thus it became pretty useless.

[Dannysaysnoo]

From a story point, I'd again say RE:4. RE:4 relied on more subtle story telling and overtones than outright scares and boos horror.

No offense Saist, but rarely do you make me laugh.

Subtle? Subtle is being confused as fuck when Ada shows up for no reason? Subtle is pretty much being TOLD why you're all messed up? Subtle is rescuing the Presidents Daughter?

[Rakala]

Who is a whore.

[Saist]

From a story point, I'd again say RE:4. RE:4 relied on more subtle story telling and overtones than outright scares and boos horror.

No offense Saist, but rarely do you make me laugh.

Subtle? Subtle is being confused as fuck when Ada shows up for no reason? Subtle is pretty much being TOLD why you're all messed up? Subtle is rescuing the Presidents Daughter?

You are right about the choice of terms. Subtle is probably not the best term to use there. However, in context, I was comparing RE:4 to previous Resident Evils. In comparison RE:4 was more subtle and relied on the various intelligence items picked up throughout the game to move the story along. You gained more insight into the behavior of Ramon Salazar and Osmund Saddler from the various letters and data.  Several key developments of Los Plagos, such as the existence of El Giganto, the lake monster, and IT were all communicated by reading the notes left behind by Luis Sera, or other information gained by reading various texts and diaries.

However, as you rightfully point out, the game has it's moments were it twists the story in a rather... chaotic manner. The good example being the almost stock Japanese plot of Rescue the American Presidents Daughter. Seriously, try to count how many games use the president or their extended family as a plot line to get the story going. 

Anyways, if you've picked up the Wii or PS2 versions, you'll find that Ada didn't show up for no reason. I'd also argue that the method of delivery of why you are all messed up was handled well. The event added to the... creepiness... that somebody had been in the same room as you to leave the letter after the fight with the lake monster. Then Luis's revelation during the House Stand-off that he knew about the affects. Luis's presence was also clarified up in Ada's missions, again, only in the PS2 and Wii versions.

[Teroniss]

The first one was the best because it caught you off guard and redefined the idea of survival horror. Since then, the rest have been sadly predictable.

[Rakala]

Since then, the rest have been sadly predictable.

That I would argue with. I found that each of them has at least executed their plot originally, however since many other games do the same thing the same way it sort of loses that originality.

[Teroniss]

I didnt mean predictable plot. What I mean by predictable is they all seem to take the approach of "Oh noes, it a dark room. hope nothing gets me" *Zombie critter jumps out* "GRR ARG!" "Gasp, a zombie like creature. Who wouldve guessed that'd be in here?" 

[Rakala]

Well that's video gamer's intuition. After you play so many games it's apparent when you're going to get into a non-random combat.