/vr/ - Retro Games

I like RE4 and think it's a great game, even though it feels so wildly different to the previous games in the series, both in gameplay and tone.
I can see why long time fans of the older games hated it, since it was the end of the old style for a long time. I don't mind too much, since we already have RE1-3 & CV for really good old school Survival Horror, and RE1 & 2 Remake also fits that that bill. RE4 is different but stands on it's own merits well as a goofy action game.
I wouldn't say it 'ruined' the RE series, but I do think that RE5 and RE6 and other spinoffs weren't nearly as good because the developers had a misguided idea of what made RE4 so popular and loved, and went down weird directions trying to repeat the success.
RE5 seems to have it's fans though, but that's mostly people who just enjoy the co-op it seems.

Oh I meant to mention, I think one of the biggest improvements that RE2 made over 1 was the addition of the 'hurt' animations.
Considering I played RE2 and CV before 1, I realised afterwards how much it helps the immersion, not having to check a 'status' screen to see your general health, and also the fact that you get punished for getting hurt by slower movement. It's one of those little touches that really adds so much to the game.