Being a fan of the Resident Evil series, a four year wait for the newest installment really dried my patience out. Understandably costive time and care went into the process to include Resident Evil in the run of next generation games for xbox 360, and ps3. With that said, Resident Evil is a survival-horror game that features a completely cooperative campaign mode, and a secondary arcade mode `mercenaries'. Available, for a fee to download on whichever platform you wish to pick this game up on , is a versus multiplayer mode.
Resident Evil 5 follows closely to the overhauled gameplay the fourth game brought. The overhaul to many was a make or break deal, though many critics (including myself) have felt this to renew the series, and bring it into a different light. The change has a lot to do with movement, featuring a third person over the shoulder view. Alongside of that is the emphasis on collecting guns and upgrading them, no longer is it a struggle to maintain ammunition in case of a close encounter. This alone departs the game further from its supposed `survival horror' genre, nearing it to the action shooters like 2008's Army of Two.
The game takes place in Africa, where you'll be taking on the role of Chris Redfield (one of the main characters from the original title) who is now a member of an agency known as the BSAA. Well I should say initially you'll be taking on the role of Chris, as a new character to the series Sheva Alomar (another BSAA operative) is also available for both single player and co-op. Though the game has been out since last spring, I'm opting not to spoil any of the story, I will say a few characters from the original trilogy reprise there roles (whether it be through cinemas, or flashbacks there are indeed a few).
Graphically the game is up to par with many next gen titles, colors bloom and pop. For some odd reason a greenish hue hazes many of the darker colors in the game. The constant daylight doesn't add to the fear so much as the atmosphere. The locations are pretty interesting, mines, shanty towns, safari terrain etc. To be honest, I didn't really find any spot noteworthy in the game for horror. Sound wise effects are pretty standard, some gun shots will echo, explosions make use of a good subwoofer etc. Hearing the enemy before seeing them is always helpful, but a musical cue should be able to alert one of imposing doom. Voice acting is classic Resident Evil dialogue, pretentious and often times comical. I will say this one still has an in-depth plot, I will continue to say it's not a very good one though.
An armory of weapons are at your disposal; pistols, sub machine guns, sniper rifles, assault rifles, various grenades and of course a combat knife. Your inventory on the other hand has been scaled down, to emphasize cooperation with a partner they kept the game going in real time, so no more using the inventory screen as a secondary pause. To gain such riches one will have to keep an eye out for treasures they will glisten and are much easier to locate this time around. Each treasure is worth a different amount, and cannot be combined to create a more stunning unique item like in the previous game. Treasures can be a gemstone or objects similar to what you'd find at an archeological site.
Enemies will often use whatever may lay around depending on the location this could go from a intimidating pitchfork to a terrifying stick of dynamite. The enemy AI (artificial intelligence) isn't the greatest, but they know how to pose a threat. They will duck, climb, alert others of intrusion, anything to make your stay in there territory a nightmare. How you react and how to disperse ammo is up to you, a few different buildings to enter, and alternative routes add to replay value.
Ultimately the first run through on this game is the most memorable, your weaponry acquired through out the game is forwarded to your next run through, making things a bit easier (a harder `professional ` mode will also be available to bump your game up). This game makes for a great buy if your a completionist, the weapons all have stats capable of increasing, and a museum like bonus adds bonus unlockable figurines to view. The game makes use of chapters, so if you'd like to repeat a certain segment check the available chapters you have unlocked and have fun. Any cinema that has been viewed within campaign can now be viewed in the menus. Loading screens usually have blots of information of the Resident Evil timeline. The 'bosses' faced in the game are kind of a let down though a few are entertaining. Don't expect the boss battle variety of previous games, as a majority of them in this title all have something in common.
Horror is almost non existent, campaign has been greatly shortened from Resident Evil 4's mammoth duration. In terms of Resident Evil the game has taken a leap of faith in technological advancements, but unsatisfying fell short of expectations with nearly everything feeling more dulled down. So on it's own the game is (to me) a 4 out of 5, and is an obvious recommendation. On behalf of the other Resident Evil titles and how well it stacked against them though, I'd have to give 3 ½ out of 5. If I could make a quick recommendation here, it would be to simply rent this game and play through it with a friend. If you enjoy it and/but want more horror try out Dead Space another good rental. Get more detail about Resident Evil 5.
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