Product ReviewsResident Evil 5 (Sony PlayStation 3, 2009)

Resident Evil 5 review - from an old school standpoint

First let me say that I've played Resident Evil 1, 2, and 3, but none of the others. I thought the first 3 were absolutely fantastic games, so for the most part I am comparing RE 5 to RE 1-3.

Pros (list):
fantastic graphics
game interface
simple, effective, and fun co-op mode
interactive cut scenes

Cons (list):
very linear
very few puzzles
not nearly as "spooky" or "scary" as the originals

Pros (detailed):
The graphics are great. Everything looks beautiful, and there's a ton of detail but not so much that it takes away from the game or slows down load times. This is my first time experiencing the new game interface (3rd person, over the shoulder), and so far I like it. It makes it difficult/impossible to know what is behind you which makes the game more realistic and adds a nice element to the combat system because it is fairly easy for enemies to creep up on you from behind. I'm also a big fan of being able to play with friends, so the split-screen co-op is a huge bonus for me. I can play with a friend on the same HDTV and it is still very easy to see our respective screens and play the game. The interactive cut scenes (occasionally you have to hit a button in order to perform some sort of action in one of the cut scenes) caught me off guard at first, but I like the addition because it makes you feel like you're still playing the game even though it is during a video. Just stay on your toes because if you're not paying attention, you die and have to redo the whole thing.

Cons (detailed):
My favorite things about the first 3 RE games were the amount of freedom you have to wander around, the multitude of puzzles that are presented (with many of them being difficult to solve), and the atmosphere that the game creators achieved. Even when I knew exactly what was going to happen (dogs jumping through a window for example), it still made me jump, and numerous times throughout each game I found myself shaking with anticipation and "fear" of what was going to happen next.
Resident Evil 5 has none of these features. The game is very linear. You go from one room to the next, kill who or whatever is there and move on. So far, the only "puzzles" have been finding the best way to kill each boss. Also, I have yet to be scared or even jump in my seat. I'm only about 1/2 way through the game, but I don't expect any of these to change from now until the game's end.

Summary:
Overall, a very good 3rd person action/shooter... somewhat similar to Gears of War in the style and feel of the game. But, for me, it lacks the freedom, puzzles, and other intricacies that make a game truly great. Definitely worth it if you're looking for a quick, action packed, 3rd person shooter type game. If you're looking for something like Resident Evil 1, 2, or 3, then you will be disappointed.Read full review...

Comparison to Resident Evil 4

If you liked Resident Evil 4, 5 is the most similar game to it. Same style, same game play, same controls. It might be a bit easier though. At points in the game, I had to waste items because I didn't have enough room to store everything I got during a chapter. It also takes longer to die because you're healed several times before you're finally dead. The environments are brighter and not as scary, it's not as dark and creepy, and it's a bit faster paced. Changes from 4 are: You don't save at a typewriter or buy items from a merchant. You save automatically at the end of each chapter, and you can buy items at the end of each chapter or whenever you die. You also have a partner with you during the entire game. She helps you, she stores her own inventory, you can upgrade her weapons as well as yours, and she can heal you if you're dying. If you like 4, 5 is the next best thing.Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: theprofitprophet

Great game.

Awesome game play and graphics. Challenging the mind and reflexes at every stage and great story continuity. Like every game in the Resident Evil franchise, it is not just a rehash of the games that came before it but, a stand-alone adventure. That is not to say that knowing the progression up to this point is not useful but, it is not necessary by any means. I can't wait to go back at the game set on the highest difficulty.Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: wonderlandgoods

Resident evil % for PS3

Good game, good graphics...I am a little more than halfway through the game, and one disapointment is the lack of brain challenging puzzles I was used to in the first couple games. There are a few points that test your intelligence, but they are few it seems. Also the AI that controls the 2nd player during the story part of the game tends to be stuck using ineffective weapons when better ones are available...It has definitely progressed towards the shooter type genre, but is still entertaining and has its moments. The availability to upgrade and purchase weapons is a welcome feature. At some points the game has a 'Tomb Raider' type feel, and reminds me of 'Drake's fortune'. Until I finish the game I cannot write a complete review...but overall I would have to say that while not feeling ripped off at all, it has room for improvement. I am used to the laboratory and old house environments from the old ones, and this one has more of a archaelogical feel than anything else. I would definitely suggest playing the demo or renting first to avoid any minor dissapointment, but as for me I am satisfied though not impressed.Read full review...

Resident Evil 5 is a must have for this console

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.Read full review...

resident evil 5

First off I'm not one for long reviews. The game is not what resident evil was about. the first game scared the crap out of me. It was like being in a gigantic haunted house by your self. I loved it. RE5 is more of a tomb raider game. it still has scary creatures but they took away the scare.You also have a partner with you at all times and that is annoying. she has an arsenal of guns and only uses the hand gun. And OMG does she waste ammo. She helps you out a lot but again not what RE1 as about. The bosses are integrated with regular zombies and the final bosses are way over the top huge. Ammo and life is always a millimeter from gone.One good thing is the game is FOREVER LONG. I have been playing for 20 hours and it says I have covered 20%. I have read the cheats page and it says you have to complete the whole game in less than 5 hours. YA RIGHT. Graphics are awesome. game play is ok. They don't allow you to shoot and run. I don't understand that. They don't allow you to buy gun ammo either. But there is at lease 50% more ammo in this game than others. I have stopped playing other resident evils because I was at a boss round with no way to fight him. overall it is a great game. buy it.Read full review...

Resident Evil 5

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!Read full review...

Great game

I have been an avid player of Resident Evil 4 and absolutely LOVE that game, so I decided to try the next in the series with Resident Evil 5.

I like the fact that this can be a two player game and another player can jump in at any time during live play.

I don't like the fact that when you're changing a weapon or "healing", the game continues, it doesn't pause and allow you to heal or change that weapon, the bad guys in the game keep killing you (or at least I keep getting killed...lol).

I don't like that there is not a seller for the merchandise, I miss looking for the "guy with the goods (weapons)" and hearing his voice....lol.

I do like that your partner in the game (she's there by your side whether or not there is a second player) can assist you when you're on deaths door. She has saved my butt numerous times.

I don't like the occasional bad words. I know it's a mature game, but my younger kids like watching me play sometimes and I cringe when they say those words during play.

I miss playing as Leon and am trying really hard to like Chris as much.

Overall I love the Resident Evil series of games, although the monsters/zombies in this one didn't make me scream as much as Resident Evil 4 did.Read full review...

Not what I was hoping for, but still a beautiful game.

I can proudly say that I own nearly every Resident Evil game in the series, and love every single title... but that statement is on the decline. I can remember feeling my adrenaline rushing because of the mystery of what was around the next corner and the fear of "what if it were me in this mansion/police station" rather than how I was going to stifle an onslaught of.....well whatever new mutagenic monsters that Capcom can think up. Talking zombies... not my cup of tea. That being said, I think the premise is getting a little out of hand (kind of like the Friday the 13th movies) and should return to its roots. /rant

Now that that's out of the way, analyzing this as a standalone game, I think it's simply beautiful. The graphics are crisp, detailed as all get-out, and the player gets the benefit of third person perspective control and first person immersion (much like Resident Evil 4 only tweaked). The controls can be set by the player to accomodate different reflex levels and button configurations, and the story is at least on par with what you'd expect from a newer Resident Evil title, if not surpassing.

Overall, I'd recommend this game to anybody who was thrilled by RE4; however, as the series progresses from mystery/fear to action, so does the ingenuity and motivation to continue funding Capcom's design teams to produce games that have nothing really new to add other than an involved multiplayer platform.Read full review...

Novice Gamer, but quick learner and knows about tech

I love the HD experience, the online feature where you can play with another person online and go through the game together. With headsets makes this gaming experience incredible. I decided to buy this game because a friend had just gotten it and wanted to play with me online, and also had a headset. I'm glad I made this purchase. We've been playing online and going through boards (Chapters), one a night or so. The only thing I found to dislike was the inability to move around once you have your weapon aimed. You are able to move peripherally- if that's a word, but you can not walk and shoot. Other then that this is a must have game!!!Read full review...