Resident Evil 5 (Sony Playstation 3, 2009)

Thirteen years ago, Capcom helped revolutionize the action-adventure world with Resident Evil, a game that would define an entirely new genre dubbed "survival horror." In the years that followed, the series continued to build upon the standards set by the first game, until 2005, when Resident Evil 4 radically departed from its predecessors and broke new ground as a more action-oriented game. Resident Evil 5, the latest offering in the long-running series, expands on the action-heavy formula of its forerunner and is built from the ground up to support cooperative gameplay. Though it can no longer be considered a survival horror game, Resident Evil 5 manages to retain and effectively translate the most important aspect of that genre--tension--into its new mechanics, crafting a fun, collaborative experience that will keep you on your toes the entire time.

Hey Sheva, is there a vet around here? 'Cause these pythons are sick!

Ten years after the destruction of Raccoon City, former S.T.A.R.S. Alpha team member Chris Redfield is an agent of the B.S.A.A. This paramilitary anti-bio-organic weapon organization travels the globe to seek out and destroy Umbrella's creations, which have fallen into the hands of terrorists following the collapse of the multinational pharmaceutical company. When Chris gets a tip that a known weapons dealer will be making a big deal in the remote African nation of Kijuju, he heads there to put a stop to it and learn what he can about the mysterious doomsday project known only as Uroboros. Chris is joined by Sheva Alomar, a local B.S.A.A. agent, and together they battle wave after wave of infected villagers, horribly mutated monsters, and even series archnemesis Albert Wesker.
The core combat mechanics haven't fundamentally changed since Resident Evil 4--the action still unfolds from an over-the-shoulder perspective, certain battles or cutscenes are accompanied by brief quick time events, and you still have to stop moving to fire your weapon (though you gain a bit more mobility thanks to your newfound ability to walk sideways). Resident Evil 5's slow movement and gunplay take some time to get used to, and folks expecting a run-and-gun game may find the action too sluggish for their tastes. Fortunately, this slowness isn't really an issue within the game, because enemies are deliberate with their attacks and are better handled with a cool head and steady aim.

Regardless of how similar the combat in Resident Evil 5 is to its predecessor, the addition of a second character makes encounters feel quite different. Teamwork is necessary to take down more-powerful enemies and bosses, and having someone there to watch your back goes a long way toward keeping you alive. Furthermore, there have been radical changes to the inventory management system. The immersion-breaking briefcase from the previous game is gone, and enemies no longer politely wait for you to rummage through your things because bringing up your armory doesn't pause the action. At any given time, you can store up to nine items per character, four of which are bound to the directions of the D pad for easy access. This new system works extremely well and successfully conveys a sense of urgency whenever you go through your gear. It's often necessary to trade items with your partner, and keeping track of who has what at all times is crucial, because rummaging through your things while a boss beats on you is painful.

Graphics: Excellent 9.0/10
Sound: Excellent 9.0/10
Gameplay: Very Good 7.5/10
Replay: Great 8.5/10
Overall: Great 8.5/10

Note to the reader: I have been playing the Resident Evil Series since it’s introduction on the Playstation One.

Graphics: Excellent 9.0/10
The graphics are excellent, the cut-scenes and in-game graphics are seamless, and this is as good as Capcom has done for this series. The shadows, lighting effects, and motions are great, and really immerse you into the game. The zombies, the backgrounds, and environments are detailed, rich, and engrossing.

Sound: Average – 9.0/10
The thing that Capcom has always nailed in this series is the sound, and this game is no exception. The sounds of the groans, the heightening tension of the music when an attack is coming, and the sounds of the weapons are dead on. The ambiance is set in the different areas by the increasing tones of heightening sense of importance through the use of music in this game.

Some may say that the voice work is poor, but it goes right along with the “cheesy” style that this series has always had, and the delivery is spot on for those that have been with the series for some time.

Gameplay: Very Good – 7.5/10
Let me start by saying that when playing this game with a friend in the co-op mode, there is nothing better. Having to people that can communicate and work together makes this game perfect. However, that being said, when this game is played in offline mode, it is not the best experience. The computer ally A.I. will shoot you in the back, use herbs unnecessarily, and not help in the most critical times of the game.

Replay Value – Great 8.5/10
Once the game is over, you will most likely be wanting more. Luckily, there are many unlockables, difficulty levels, and time runs to keep you busy for some time. To upgrade every weapon alone (without glitching) would take 6-8 playthroughs! The mercenaries mode, further co-op adventures, and just general playing will keep you coming back for more.

The score would have been greater if Capcom didn’t already include multiplayer on the disk, and charge $5 to download the unlock patch to play multiplayer. This is a trend I do not wish to se continue.

Overall – Great 8.5/10
This is a great game, do not get me wrong, but it is not perfect. This game is a detour off the survival horror that the series has created, and perfected, and has gone down the pure action path. This is not a bad thing, but the controls don’t lend themselves to that type of gameplay.

With less suspense, more gripping events because of the sheer amount of enemies, and over the top ammo and drive of the game, it is a mixture of Resident Evil 4, Gears of War, and the Matrix. Where this game does many things right, it is flawed and glitch in just as many areas. If this were any other title, it would not have been as scrutinized as closely as it was in this title.

Resident Evil 4 was, and still is, on my top 5 games of all time. This game will not place on that list, but I must recommend it just for the sheer fun, playability, and co-op opportunities that are available. This is a must play.

Resident Evil 5 follows series regular Chris Redfield as he embarks on a quest to an “Autonomous Zone” called Kijuju, an area in Africa that seems to be heavily inspired aesthetically by areas like Mogadishu. Chris is searching for a man by the name of Irving, who works for a mysterious corporation known as Tricell and was recently discovered to be dealing in the same type of B.O.W.s (Biological Organic Weapons) that have been making Chris’s (and others) life a living hell since the inception of the series. Additionally, once Chris convenes with another agent, Sheva Almovar, the situation in Kijuju gets from bad to worse once the inhabitants start exhibiting symptoms of the Las Plagas virus from RE4, causing Chris and Sheva to take up arms and fight their way through the situation.

Reisdent Evil 5 feels a lot more action oriented than its predecessors, even Resident Evil 4. The left thumbstick is still used to move your character around, although you now use it to strafe as you walk, and the right thumbstick controls looking and turning, more akin to third-person shooters like Gears of War. The game also puts less of an emphasis on puzzle solving and item gathering than previous games in the Resident Evil series. While these elements are still in the game, they definitely take a backseat to intense shootouts and firefights with enemies. Most of the features from RE4 return in the sequel, including the ability to upgrade your weapons and a store that is accessible between missions where you can buy new weapons and a few items.

The biggest feature in RE5 however, is the inclusion of co-op, allowing you and a friend to play as Chris and Sheva as they go through the game’s campaign. Even if you choose to embark on the journey alone, the Sheva element still factors into the gameplay and storyline quite heavily. Chris and Sheva will each have their own set of weapons and inventory (including finite storage options), and will often have to work together in order to take down foes as well as progress to new areas. You’ll have each other’s backs through the whole single-player campaign, healing and rescuing each other from enemies quite often.

For those that are true fans of the series, this game adds much detail and history to the entire Resident Evil timeline.

Gameplay: 8.5
The co-op element in the game is a pretty daring addition to the RE formula, but one that pays off in a big way if you’re looking to tackle the campaign with a friend. There are a few minor issues, like AI issues and control problems.

Graphics: 9.0
The series makes a smashing HD transition, with great looking character models and detailed environments. There are a few minor framerate issues here and there.

Sound: 9.5
The voice acting is spot on, and the music adds some great intensity to the action.

Difficulty: Medium

Concept: 9.0
Not to spoil anything, but followers of the RE series and its storyline will definitely get some fan service in this entry.

Multiplayer: 9.0
The co-op element is definitely one of the biggest in the game, and playing through the single-player campaign is a blast.

Overall: 8.9
Resident Evil 5 is a great addition to the series, adding some intriguing new features. While there are a couple minor quibbles here and there, it’s still a lot of fun from start to finish, especially with a friend.

To put it straight, RE5 is a solid action game that is worth playing
for the 10 hours.

However, the game fails to improve upon RE4 and repackages the same
level structures and enemy types (even bosses) with a few and minor
differences, particularly in how they are killed. It is appropriate
though, given the story is a continuation of the virus from the last
and wraps up this saga of the series.

What makes this game excel is playing co-op with a buddy, one of the
best 2-player modes on next-gen as of today. Unfortunately, the a.i.
during the regular campaign falters in a few aspects. When given herbs,
Shiva responds accurately in combining and healing when necessary, but
when in a few scenarios of the game, where the two are physically seperated,
it becomes a major hinder to playing as you are incapable of healing once
within immediate death and if not healed within a short time period, will
die regardless. On the positive, she does have 100% accuracy and if you
take the time to upgrade her gear as well, she can cover back, when you
need it more then once.

Interface is clumsy when switching between items, when you're rushed
to exchange as the interaction is in real time, leaving no room for
breaks. The limited inventory leaves you to focus on a few weapons
throughout the course of the game, but thankfully every time you reach
a checkpoint or die, you can gain access to your stock to interchange
and weapons can be hot-keyed to the d-pad for switching on the fly
during the action (4 maximum). Naturally, weapons can be upgraded
in all aspects and several makes of the same type, usually specialize
in either capacity, damage, or reloading speed for your playing preference.

The added challenge of the game overall is a nice welcome and is
sure to keep you on edge throughout without a moments pause. Enemies
will swarm you and are relentless, but suffer from closing in too fast
on your position, just to enter a specific attack animation which they
awkwardly back off just to turn around and re-enter the right attack
pattern. Aside from that error, the story is the typical, action
blockbuster, with its cliches and the ending boss fight was incredibly
the easiest, most ANTICLIMACTIC of all. (Think cheap imitation of Krauser
from RE4)

Which is a disappointment, because it seemed they lost all creativity
or interest in finishing up the series or saga in a better fashion.

+ 7/10

Graphics:
Using 720P I was really impressed with the graphics on the game. I didn't notice any problems with the FPS. My favorite graphical part was fighting the huge monster on the truck (I don't remember names of all the majini people). You'll know it when you get to it! The detail was amazing! Really, throughout the game. The things that break and move have a true feel about them! Does realy physics apply to games? You'd think so!

Sound:
Using the Dolby Digital on my Denon receiver (paradigm speakers) was a great experience. You can tell if the majini were close or distant, but until you get a real feel for the game, you won't know exactly how close or far and that's to be expected. The guns and sound effects of the majini are top notch. There is no annoying track during weapon selection.


Gameplay:
If I was disappointed in anything about this game, it will lie in this category. Although fun, I wish RE5 would have "moved" beyond the retro shooting style. You still can't move while shooting, except for 360 degrees. The gun never seems to be holstered either which kinda bothers me, but it doesn't affect the gameplay.

Where you shoot the enemy depends on how it affects him. The arm (drops weapon), leg (kneels), head (dead - usually, unless...)

There was an occasional problem with the AI of Sheva too (I played Chris but would assume it's the same thing for him if you play Sheva). She didn't do what I wanted her to do at all times, what woman does? ha j/k... She would heal when I would want to save the herb, too slow when I needed her, and she would pick up the herb before I could get to it. Yes, you can request it from her inventory so it's okay unless you're hurting. (Make sure to thank her for every nice deed for a trophy)

The bosses in the game were good if not great. Some of the ways to defeating them weren't plausible or at least I thought there was a better way. Others were great! Has the potential to take a long time to defeat a few bosses if the team isn't working together. Usually once you find the secret, it's not hard at all.... until you get to Professional!

This game is definitely better if you have a co-op partner!

Replay Value:
One time over is fine but gets repetitive on the 3rd. To get all trophies will require at least 2 (veteran - professional) however it's tough to beat on veteran w/o upgraded weapons or infinite ammo for the weak :D j/k again. All the figurines are expensive and uses the same "$" as does infinite ammo, so really I would say at least 3 playthroughs is required. Not only that, but to upgrade ALL weapons requires a lot of money.

Overall:
I really enjoyed this game the first time through. I played only with the same person and completed it with her. I am now going back (a 3rd time) to get the trophy for professional, but after 2 play-throughs, I find it tough to swallow again. Professional level REALLY needs a real partner - the AI doesn't seem to cut it (at least not on the first mission and yes I'm using infinite AMMO, at least on Prof.) I think anyone who enjoyed previous Resident Evil's will enjoy this. Keep in mind that if you want to Platinum this game, you will need to purchase (so I'm told) additional items. If not, expect a fair amount of playing in the least to get all weapons upgraded, all figurines and ammo, and then beating Professional. (not necessarily in that order lol)

Good luck and message me with any questions!