Resident Evil 4, known in Japan as Biohazard 4 (バイオハザード4 Baiohazādo Fō?), is a survival horror third-person shooter video game developed byCapcom Production Studio 4 and published by multiple publishers, including Capcom, Ubisoft, Nintendo Australia, Red Ant Enterprises and THQ Asia Pacific. The game was originally released for the Nintendo GameCube on January 11, 2005 in North America, and on January 27 in Japan.
The story follows Leon S. Kennedy, who is sent on a mission to rescue Ashley Graham, the President's daughter, who has been kidnapped by a mysterious cult. Traveling to a rural village in Europe, he encounters a horde of violent villagers who pledge their lives to the cult.
First hinted at in early December 1999, Resident Evil 4 underwent a long development time during which four proposed versions of the game were discarded. Initially developed for the PlayStation 2, the first attempt was directed by Hideki Kamiya after producer Shinji Mikami requested him to create a new entry in the Resident Evil series. Nevertheless, it was decided to start development over again. The game was intended to be a GameCube exclusive, but a PlayStation 2 version was announced before the game was released for the GameCube. Resident Evil 4 was subsequently released forMicrosoft Windows and Wii, and in heavily condensed versions for other platforms, including the iOS, Mobile phones, and Zeebo.
Resident Evil 4 garnered universal critical acclaim. The game was considered by most critics as a top contender for 2005's Game of the Year, and was seen as a successful crossover hit; the new gameplay alterations and immersive style appealed to many not previously familiar with the series.
