Survival Horrific

Cliff Blezinski, producer of Gears of War said in an interview that RE4 was his inspiration for the "over-the-shoulder" view point of the character in the GoW series. Thankfully, it was only the viewpoint that he and his team took as inspiration. The Gears team went on to create a much smoother, less frustrating and ultimately very fun control system when compared to it's awkward and sluggish forefather. This was video game Darwinism at it's finest, The young son flourishes as he adapts and survives while the old bastard dies, set in his ways and unwilling to change.

The teacher unwilling to learn from the student.

Sure, the gameplay styles are different. Gears is a "shoot-em-up" and RE is "survival." But ask yourself: When did running out into the open with a hand gun, one extra clip of ammo and a neurological disorder that disallows you from walking while sighting your gun become an intelligent way to survive any kind of impending onslaught?

The RE series is truly "Survival Horror": It's trying to survive with it's outdated, horrible control scheme.

RE doesn't need to turn into a twitch shooter. It doesn't need to be balls-to-wall fast. Honestly, I don't want that out of this legendary franchise. What I do want though is progress in design, not just graphics. Why can't we even backpedal and shoot at the same time? If something with a virus and head splitting wide open is coming at me I don't care how tough I am...I am not just going to stand there!

The artists did their job to create something believable. The gameplay designers completely dropped the ball. I can't help but get pulled right out of the experience because the contols are so frustratingly terrible.

I do find that Gears has spoiled me. I get frustrated with games that don't allow me take cover or blind fire. I just find these techniques are an instinctive representation of how to survive a conflict. Don't get me wrong, I don't want Gears of War with zombies or Left 4 Dead for that matter (which is great, great game though). What I do want though is a RE game that feels fluid and fun and less like driving and eighteen wheeler through the zombie apocolypse.

*ammendment* 2-6-09

I just watched a video the other day with a rep from Capcom America stating that there is a control scheme that is similar to Gears of War called "Action" controls.  I hope this works.