Characters in Resident Evil 4

The sixth installment of the "Resident Evil" series, Capcom's survival horror game "Resident Evil 4" is centered around Leon Kennedy's mission to rescue Ashley Graham, the United States President's daughter, from a sinister cult bent on world domination. The game's main single player campaign chronicles Kennedy's adventure though a rural part of Europe in search of Graham. His mission reunites him with Ada Wong, a secret agent introduced in "Resident Evil 2", who is a playable character in the game's other single player mode. In addition to Kennedy and Wong, there are three additional playable characters, Albert Wesker, Jack Krauser, and HUNK, in the game's Mercenaries minigame. The characters of "Resident Evil 4" were designed by Masaki Yamanaka, and voiced by several actors including Paul Mercier, Carolyn Lawrence, Jim Ward, and Rino Romano.

Casting and development

"Resident Evil 4's" characters were designed by Masaki Yamanaka.cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=Game Credits for Resident Evil 4 | date=2005 | publisher=Moby Games | url =http://www.mobygames.com/game/gamecube/resident-evil-4/credits | work = | pages = | accessdate = 2008-07-10 | language = ] Prior to the game's release, many Capcom producers considered "Resident Evil 4" to be a "risky" departure from the series' previous installments.cite news | first=ign.com | last=Staff | coauthors= | title=E3 2004: Resident Evil 4 Interview | date=2004 | publisher=IGN | url =http://cube.ign.com/articles/515/515402p1.html | work = | pages =1-3 | accessdate = 2008-05-27 | language = ] The game's creators sought to reinvent the series by adding a new type of enemy to the game, called "Ganados", as opposed to using the undead creatures from previous "Resident Evil" games. Unlike other "Resident Evil" titles, "Resident Evil 4's" storyline was not centered around the Umbrella Corporation or its exploits. Furthermore, producers expended additional detail to modify and update characters that had previously appeared in the series. In a documentary explaining the conception of the game's characters, a game designer stated he intended to make Leon Kennedy "look tougher, but also cool."cite video | title = The Making of Resident Evil 4 | medium = DVD | publisher = Capcom | year = 2005 ]

The game's English voice actors recorded their parts in four sessions, over three to four months.cite news | first=Chris | last=Carle | coauthors= | title=Babe Interview: Carolyn Lawrence | date=2005-08-02 | publisher=IGN | url =http://stars.ign.com/articles/663/663669p1.html | work = | pages =2-3 | accessdate = 2008-06-04 | language = ] Capcom hired Shinsaku Ohara to serve as the game's voice acting, and translate the game's script. In an interview with IGN, Carolyn Lawrence, who provided the voice for Ashley Graham, described her character as "vulnerable, because Leon has to come to her rescue all the time." She also described Kennedy's character as "more brawn, perhaps than brain." In addition to the voice acting, the game's designer detailed each cinematic sequence so that each character's facial expressions matched the tone of their voice actor.

Main characters

Leon Kennedy

Leon Kennedy (voiced by Paul Mercier) is the protagonist and main playable character in "Resident Evil 4". [Dan Birlew, "leon s. kennedy," "Resident Evil 4: Bradygames Signature Series Guide" (Indianapolis: Pearson Education, 2006), 4-5.] After surviving the T-Virus outbreak in Raccoon City during the events of "Resident Evil 2", Kennedy is hired to work with the United States government. [cite video game|title= |developer=Capcom Production Studio 4 |publisher=Capcom |date=1999-09-22 |platform=PlayStation |language=English |isolang= |quote=Epilogue: Leon Scott Kennedy is confronted with a man who claims to be a US government agent... He looks at Leon and says, "But you have value. This is a good deal. Make your choice." Without regret or hesitation, Leon closes his eyes and then sharply responds.] During this period of time, Kennedy underwent a period of extensive training, turning him from a rookie police officer into an elite government agent. [cite video game|title=Resident Evil 4 |developer=Capcom Production Studio 4 |publisher=Capcom |date=2005-10-25 |platform=PlayStation 2 |language=English |quote=Leon Kennedy: I received special training via a secret organization working under the direct control of the President.] In "Resident Evil 4", he is assigned to rescue the United States president’s daughter, Ashley Graham, who is being held captive by a European cult called “Los Illuminados”.cite video game|title=Resident Evil 4 |developer=Capcom Production Studio 4 |publisher=Capcom |date=2005-10-25 |platform=PlayStation 2 |language=English |quote=Leon Kennedy: It was right before I was to take on my duties of protecting the President's daughter when she was abducted. That's the ultimate reason I'm in this lonely and rural part of Europe. ] His mission pits him against hordes of indoctrinated villagers, mutated abominations, and characters from his past.cite news | first=Matthew | last=Rorie | coauthors= | title=Resident Evil 4 - Gamespot Game Guide | date=2004 | publisher=Gamespot | url =http://www.gamespot.com/features/6116796/index.html?tag=gameguide;title;1 | work = | pages = | accessdate = 2008-05-14 | language = ]

Ada Wong

Ada Wong (voiced by Sally Cahill) is an operative for an unknown company, who is attempting to retrieve a sample of Las Plagas. [Dan Birlew, "ada wong," "Resident Evil 4: Bradygames Signature Series Guide" (Indianapolis: Pearson Education, 2006), 10.] She originally met Kennedy during the events of "Resident Evil 2". [cite video game|title=Resident Evil 4 |developer=Capcom Production Studio 4 |publisher=Capcom |date=2005-10-25 |platform=PlayStation 2 |language=English |quote=Leon Kennedy: Six years had passed since that horrendous incident.] She saves Kennedy’s life on many occasions and helps him rescue Ashley Graham. Wong waits till the game’s end to reveal her true agenda to Kennedy, and steals the sample of Las Plagas. She provides Kennedy and Graham with a jet ski to escape the destruction of the complex and escapes via helicopter. Wong is a playable character in “Assignment Ada”, a short side mission, and “Separate Ways”, which chronicles her actions in "Resident Evil 4's" background.cite news | first=ign.com | last="Nix" | coauthors= | title=Resident Evil 4: Separate Ways | date=2005-09-26 | publisher=IGN | url =http://ps2.ign.com/articles/653/653900p1.html | work = | pages = | accessdate = 2008-05-21 | language = ]

Ashley Graham

Ashley Graham (voiced by Carolyn Lawrence) is the president's daughter in "Resident Evil 4". [Dan Birlew, "ashley graham," "Resident Evil 4: Bradygames Signature Series Guide" (Indianapolis: Pearson Education, 2006), 6.] A college student living in Massachusetts, Ashley is abducted by a mysterious cult while attempting to return home. She is taken to an undisclosed part of Europe, and held captive in a village inhabited by humans infected by mind-controlling parasites. The cult’s leader, Osmund Saddler, plans to infect her with Las Plagas, to carry out the cult's secret agenda.cite video game|title=Resident Evil 4 |developer=Capcom Production Studio 4 |publisher=Capcom |date=2005-10-25 |platform=PlayStation 2 |language=English |quote=Our Mission (File): we must influence the minds of the people who advise the President. After this is done, the rest of the departments will quickly fall under our sway..] She is rescued by Kennedy, and works alongside him to thwart the cult’s plans and escape. In addition to being able to receive commands and perform simple tasks, Ashley briefly becomes a playable character for a portion of the game.

Osmund Saddler

Osmund Saddler (voiced by Michael Gough) is the primary antagonist in "Resident Evil 4". [Dan Birlew, "osmund saddler," "Resident Evil 4: Bradygames Signature Series Guide" (Indianapolis: Pearson Education, 2006), 11.] He is the leader of Los Illuminados, the cult responsible for Ashley Graham's kidnapping. Saddler plans on infecting Graham with a sample of Las Plagas, in hope that she will return home and infect higher ranking members of the US government. Saddler then wishes to control them and seize control of the US, and then the world. He uses samples of Las Plagas to infect and control villagers and even a local castellan to perform his bidding. However, his plans are foiled by the combined efforts of Kennedy, Wong, and Luis Sera. Kennedy, with the assistance of Wong, defeats Saddler near the game's conclusion, and destroys his research and production complex.

upporting characters

Luis Sera

Luis Sera (voiced by Rino Romano) is a European researcher, who is attempting to assist Kennedy and Wong in their efforts against Los Illuminados. [Dan Birlew, "luis sera," "Resident Evil 4: Bradygames Signature Series Guide" (Indianapolis: Pearson Education, 2006), 7.] He is extremely familiar with the village where the game is set, and formerly worked with Osmund Saddler to research and develop the cult’s mind controlling parasites. [cite video game|title=Resident Evil 4 |developer=Capcom Production Studio 4 |publisher=Capcom |date=2005-10-25 |platform=PlayStation 2 |language=English |quote=Osmund Saddler: Where abouts of Sera are still unknown. Most likely he's using an old secret passage taught to him by his grand father who used to hunt in this region long ago. Im pretty certain that he's hiding our property somewhere in the forest.] After realizing Saddler intends to use the parasites for malicious purposes, he begins to attempt to sabotage the cult’s mission. Sera meets Kennedy after both men are captured by villagers. He introduces himself as a former policeman from Madrid, who became dissatisfied with his job. [cite video game|title=Resident Evil 4 |developer=Capcom Production Studio 4 |publisher=Capcom |date=2005-10-25 |platform=PlayStation 2 |language=English |quote=Luis Sera: I used to be a cop in Madrid. Now I'm just a good-for-nothing guy, who happens to be quite the ladies' man./ Policia...you put your life on the line, no one really appreciates you enough for it. Being a hero isn't what it's cracked up to be anymore.] Sera continues to assist Kennedy, but is ultimately killed by Saddler before he can present him with a sample of Las Plagas. [cite video game|title=Resident Evil 4 |developer=Capcom Production Studio 4 |publisher=Capcom |date=2005-10-25 |platform=PlayStation 2 |language=English |quote= Capture Luis Sera (File): It appears he took some vaccines when he stole our "Sample". The vaccines we can do without but we must retrieve the sample for it is our life blood.]

Jack Krauser

Jack Krauser (voiced by Jim Ward) is a mercenary hired to do Saddler's bidding. [Dan Birlew, "jack krauser," "Resident Evil 4: Bradygames Signature Series Guide" (Indianapolis: Pearson Education, 2006), 8.] Originally a US government operative, Krauser trains with Kennedy, before apparently perishing in a helicopter crash. [cite video game|title=Resident Evil 4 |developer=Capcom Production Studio 4 |publisher=Capcom |date=2005-10-25 |platform=PlayStation 2 |language=English |quote=Jack Krauser: I died in the crash two years ago. Is that what they told you?] Krauser is responsible for kidnapping Graham, claiming he committed the act to gain Saddler's trust. He has little interest in Saddler's agenda, and only seeks to recover a sample of Las Plagas for Albert Wesker. [cite video game|title=Resident Evil 4 |developer=Capcom Production Studio 4 |publisher=Capcom |date=2005-10-25 |platform=PlayStation 2 |language=English |quote=Leon Kennedy: What do you want?/ Jack Krauser: Hmph. The sample Saddler developed, that's all.] [cite video game|title=Resident Evil 4 |developer=Capcom Production Studio 4 |publisher=Capcom |date=2005-10-25 |platform=PlayStation 2 |language=English |quote=Jack Krauser: Just so we understand each other clearly, I don't trust you. Nor does Wesker. If you try to do anything clever, I will kill you.] [cite video game|title=Resident Evil 4 |developer=Capcom Production Studio 4 |publisher=Capcom |date=2005-10-25 |platform=PlayStation 2 |language=English |quote=Leon Kennedy: You got her involved just for that?! /Jack Krauser: All for Umbrella's sake.] In addition to being a skilled knife fighter and archer, Krauser possesses superhuman speed, stamina, strength, and gained the ability to transform his left arm into a giant mutated claw. He confronts Kennedy twice in the game. After apparently dying in an explosion, Krauser appears as a boss in the Assignment: Ada minigame, and dies for the final time in the Separate Ways minigame.

Ramon Salazar

Ramon Salazar (voiced by Rene Mujica) is the castellan of the castle that serves as a setting for part of the game. [Dan Birlew, "ramon salazar," "Resident Evil 4: Bradygames Signature Series Guide" (Indianapolis: Pearson Education, 2006), 4-5.] He comes from a noble family, who were responsible for sealing the Las Plagas beneath the castle's grounds.cite video game|title=Resident Evil 4 |developer=Capcom Production Studio 4 |publisher=Capcom |date=2005-10-25 |platform=PlayStation 2 |language=English |quote=Castellan Memo (File): Long ago there once was a religious group that had deep roots in this region called the Los Illuminados. Unjustly however, the first castellan of the castle took away their rights and powers...The reason why I released the Las Plagas from deep under the castle and gave them to Lord Saddler was not only to repay for the sins of my ancestors but I felt certain that the Lord would make better use of this power to help save the world.] Years later, Saddler, a cultist who worships Las Plagas, persuades Salazar to unearth the parasites, causing them to spread across the local area. Salazar confronts Kennedy and Graham several times during "Resident Evil 4", and mutates into a gigantic monster in his final meeting with Kennedy.

Bitores Mendez

Bitores Mendez (voiced by Jesse Corti) is a village chief who is ordered to stop Kennedy from finding and extracting Graham. [Dan Birlew, "bitores mendez," "Resident Evil 4: Bradygames Signature Series Guide" (Indianapolis: Pearson Education, 2006), 9.] In addition to commanding several possessed villagers, Mendez possesses superhuman strength, as well as a large Las Plagas parasite inside of him. He leads the hunt for Leon and Ashley early in the game, and leaves various documents pertaining to the game's plot around the village.

Minor characters

* Ingrid Hunnigan (voiced by Salli Saffioti) is Kennedy's radio contact throughout the game. In addition to supplying Kennedy with intelligence reports, she also provides the player with general gameplay advice. Kennedy and Hunnigan eventually lose contact with each other, but then regain contact at the end of the game. [Dan Birlew, "ingrid hunnigan," "Resident Evil 4: Bradygames Signature Series Guide" (Indianapolis: Pearson Education, 2006), 11.]
* Mike is a helicopter pilot, who is deployed to support Kennedy and extract Graham. He pilots a heavily armed helicopter, and is able to defeat many enemies before being shot down by one of Saddler's minions.
* The Merchant is a mysterious salesperson, who sells, buys and upgrades various weapons and items. He also operates several shooting galleries throughout the game.

Reception

"Resident Evil 4's" characters and story generally received positive commentary. GameSpot's Greg Kasavin praised the game's voice acting, but claimed that it was betrayed by "some uncharacteristically goofy dialogue."Yahoo! Games | url =http://videogames.yahoo.com/ps2/resident-evil-4/review-408114 | work = | pages = | accessdate = 2008-05-18 | language = ] [cite news | first=Kevin | last=VanOrd | coauthors= | title=Resident Evil 4: Wii Edition | date=2007-06-19 | publisher=Gamespot | url =http://www.gamespot.com/wii/action/residentevil4/review.html | work = | pages = | accessdate = 2008-05-18 | language = ] IGN's Matt Casamassina went into further detail in his review for "Resident Evil 4", praising not only the detailed character design, but also the fight choreography and three-dimensional modeling within cinematic sequences.cite news | first=Matt | last=Casamassina | coauthors= | title=IGN: Resident Evil 4 Review | date=2005 | publisher=IGN | url =http://cube.ign.com/articles/577/577841p1.html | work = | pages = | accessdate = 2008-05-17 | language = ] Casamassina also complimented the game's voice actors, especially Paul Mercier, commenting, "For once, the characters are believable because Capcom has hired competent actors to supply their voices. Leon in particular is very well produced." Diego Luna, a writer for "Cerise Magazine", criticized Ashley Graham's character for being stereotypical, claiming, " [Graham] is a rapid departure from previous women in "Resident Evil", who relied on their own guile and skill to survive." [Luna, Diego. " [http://cerise.theirisnetwork.org/archives/233 Shotgun vs. Skirt: Gender in "Resident Evil 4"] ," "Cerise Magazine" (2007-10). Retrieved on 2008-05-18.]

IGN and Nintendo Power specifically recognized "Resident Evil 4's" character design and voice acting. Nintendo Power acknowledged the title's voice acting in its 2005 Power Awards, [Citation | last =Nintendo Power | first = Staff | title = 2005 Nintendo Power Awards | newspaper = Nintendo Power | volume= 203 | pages =55 | year =2006 | date = 2006-05| url = .] while IGN gave "Resident Evil 4" awarded the game the "artistic design" award in its the "Best of 2005" segment. [cite news | first=ign.com | last=Staff | coauthors= | title=The Best of 2005 | date= | publisher=IGN | url =http://bestof.ign.com/2005/cube/ | work = | pages = | accessdate = 2008-05-28 | language = ] The International Game Developers Association nominated "Resident Evil 4" for their best "visual arts" award, [cite news | first=Brendan | last=Sinclair | coauthors= | title=IGDA award nominees announced | date=2006-02-27 | publisher=Gamespot | url =http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/adventure/wandaandthecolossus/news.html?sid=6144972&cpage=2 | work = | pages = | accessdate = 2008-05-28 | language = ] but lost the award to Sony's "Shadow of the Colossus".cite web | author=Thorsen, Tor | year=2006 | title=Colossus casts shadow over GDC Awards | url=http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/adventure/wandaandthecolossus/news.html?sid=6146480 | work= [http://www.gamespot.com/ GameSpot] | accessmonthday=July 30 | accessyear=2006]

The popularity of the game's characters prompted the release of action figures based on the likeness of Leon Kennedy and Jack Krauser. [cite news | first=Ryan | last=Brookhart | coauthors= | title=Ryan Brookhart has a Preview of the Hot Toys RESIDENT EVIL 4 Figures | date=2007-10-20 | publisher= | url =http://www.collider.com/clubhouse/vortex/article.asp?aid=5818&tcid=6 | work =collider.com | pages = | accessdate = 2008-05-21 | language = ] [cite news | first=Daniel | last=Roswell | coauthors= | title=Resident Evil Figures | date=2007-10-21 | publisher= | url =http://levelselect.co.uk/resident-evil-figures/ | work =levelselect.co.uk | pages = | accessdate = 2008-05-21 | language = ] Agatsuma Entertainment has also created various miniature collectibles based on several main characters and enemies from "Resident Evil 4". [KingZombie.com, [http://kingzombie.com/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=4 Agatsuma Entertainment] , Retrieved on 2008-05-21.] Furthermore, the merchant, an obscure character from "Resident Evil 4", has made numerous appearances in media within video game culture. A comical rendition of the merchant appeared in an issue of "VG Cats", a popular web comic, in 2005. [cite news | first=Scott | last=Ramsoomair | coauthors= | title=VG Cats 137 - Medicinal Herbs | date=2005 | publisher=VG Cats | url =http://www.vgcats.com/comics/?strip_id=131 | work = | pages = | accessdate = 2008-05-17 | language = ] Additionally, a member of "Mega64" attempted to act out the merchant’s character in a public area, by imitating the character’s appearance and voice. [cite video | people = "Mega64" | title = [http://mega64.com/re4.htm Mega64: Resident Evil 4] | medium = Web-Series, DVD | publisher = Awful Video | year2 = 2006 ]

References and notes

External links

* [http://www.residentevil.com/ Official "Resident Evil" website]