Review

Resident Evil 5 Guide

Resident Evil 5 Review

It's been a long wait since the official return of the long running Resident Evil series, but the fifth instalment has finally arrived. Does it live up the hype, and more importantly, does it feel like a Resident Evil game? Keep reading and you may find this review to answer those questions. Friends and gamers that are acquainted to me know that I'm famous for my criticism and that I don't often hand out high grades for games unless they deserve it.

Graphics: 10/10
The graphics are beautiful, there's no other way to put it. The movement of the characters was created by real time actors in suits with movement trackers and the results are stunning. The realism is incredible and everything looks as if it could happen in real life. The graphics themselves look better than ever - it's almost as if the pre-rendered backgrounds from the Gamecube came to live in an ever interactive environment in which many things can be destroyed or used.

Story: 9/10
There will be absolutely no spoilers here. The story naturally continues from where Resident Evil 4 ended. The Ganados were pretty much taken care of, but Albert Wesker (the series' main antagonist - with his characteristic black coat, permanent black sunshades, a botox face and a classical horrible villainous accent) got a hold of the virus. Africa is the new setting of the series and it's up to Chris Redfield, one of the series' returning main protagonists, to stop Wesker at all costs.

Chris is accompanied by a female partner called Sheva Alomar, who is a surprisingly interesting (read: so hot, I wanna take my clothes off) character as you traverse deeper in the game. There is chemistry between Chris and Sheva, and this game might as well be called quite righteously a 'buddy game' (compared to 'buddy movies'). As I don't want to spoil anything more about the story, it suffices to say that the story is one of the better told scripts in the gaming world, and the most interesting of the series since Resident Evil 2.

The Gameplay: 10/10
If you've played Resident Evil 4 you know what to expect. The controls and gameplay are kept true to the revolutionary fourth part of the series, and with it the added element of co-op play online.

No, you can't move and shoot at the same time, but I'm of the opinion that this isn't a bad thing at all. In fact the complaints seem to come from a so called priming effect. Let me elaborate. If you've been playing games such as Left 4 Dead, Dead Space or Fallout 3 and you've been playing in 3rd person, you've gotten used to strifing/running and shooting at the same time. These games have similar gameplay mechanics and the enemies are not like the enemies in RE5. Not being able to move and shoot at the same time will feel a little weird in RE5. Funny thing is, would you have been playing Resident Evil 5 (or similar games with similar controls - if they would exist), and you would then start playing one of the games mentioned before, you might find yourself wanting to perform a quick turn and getting smacked by a creature because of your spasm movement that you wanted to be a quick turn. Resident Evil 5's controls suit the game. The enemies are adjusted to the principles of Resident Evil, and if you remove these very elements of the series, you'd end up with (even) less 'RE feel' than you would now.

There are 4 different control schemes you can choose from, which is plenty for anyone, and you can adjust your aiming speed as well.

As for the gameplay itself, like the story this too continues where RE4 left us. The enemies are smarter, can climb buildings, use weapons, ride in vehicles and can always pose a threat to you and your partner. Co-op is therefore a major part of the game, and you'll need to help or be helped by your partner countless amounts of times. Whenever your partner is in need, a button input will display onscreen and if you're closeby and press it, your character will automatically perform a melee attack, freeing your partner. Speaking of melee attack, this type of combat is particularly useful throughout the entire game. Whenever an enemy is out of balance and you are close, it's possible to cause havoc by pressing the melee button that displays on screen. This saves you a lot of ammo and the whole sequence feels incredibly smooth and natural.

If you're not playing with someone else, Sheva is controlled by an AI. This is probably one of the smartest AI's created in a game and she'll be a great help. While she's infinitely better than a new player as partner, the AI obviously cannot compete with a veteran player who can think for themselves and perhaps even communicate with you though the use of a headset.

Even if you don't have a headset you can communicate with your partner through a few basic commands such as "Come On", "Go", "I need ammo", "I need help!", "Thanks", and "Wait". While a headset is neat, it's far from an essential purchase. The mentioned commands will help you tremendously already. On the other hand, if you don't already have one (presumably on PS3) and you can find a USB headset for PS3 for 15 bucks, this is worth the money.

As for the inventory, each character has a 9 slot inventory similar to the pre-RE4 instalments. The game will not go on pause if you enter the menu, so you'll have to learn how to quickly get around the menu. Fortunately the menu is shaded so you can see everything else on screen, and the D-pad buttons can be assigned to 4 quick-equips, such as your Handgun, Rifle/Shotgun and/or Herbs. If you're close to your partner, handing them some ammo or a herb is done fairly quickly, and they will automatically receive the item without having to accept.

The areas are diverse and their design looks good. While this isn't a sandbox game, it still feels as if you have a certain degree of freedom - even while you don't - and that's a great feat.

The bosses are almost all unique in their own way and have you sitting on the very edge of your seat, being the adrenalin boosting fights they are. At the higher difficulties, bosses are tough and you'll find yourself replaying some of them several times - a good thing for the ever easier mainstream game world we're starting to find ourselves in. Some fights are epic - no other word comes close. If you're a skilled player, you'll find anything below Veteran somewhat disappointing in terms of a challenge.

As for the replayability, well, it suffices to say that there's not only the online possibility of teaming up with a partner, but the game keeps track of the fastest times of all stages, and there are leaderboards. I'll also reveal that there is in fact a Mercenaries Mode .. and online Co-Op should be perfectly possible despite rumors that you can't.

Sound/Music: 9/10
Capcom did it again, they've created an excellent soundtrack once more. The power of the soundtrack is that it adds to the atmosphere of the game. Just like other RE titles, the music of the background varies from creepy to action pumping tracks where appropriate. Speaking of which, all tracks are right in place - everything feels, rather sounds right.

The sound effects are great as well, and the developers haven't been re-using many sounds from the series like they have done before, but the sounds all seem newly recorded. Perhaps the chainsaw sound was re-used again ..

As for the voice actors, this may very well be the best voice acting of the entire series, perhaps even one of the best voice overs in a game ever. It's as if you're watching small scenes of a movie when a cutscene starts - it's just that good. Although Wesker still has his annoying accent, that was most likely done on purpose just so you'll grow an even longer than everlasting hate on him. In short, the music, sound effects and voice acting are all splendid.

"Does it still feel like Resident Evil?"
Resident Evil has evolved from the start. The first game established the basics, and Resident Evil 2, 3, and Veronica (X), as well as the Outbreak series have been adding elements of gameplay and story to the series. As we all know, Resident Evil 4 made a leap forwards and it was to be expected some liked it and some didn't. Logically, Resident Evil 5 continues to evolve the series having RE4 as a basis now. The gameplay feels similar to RE4 and the atmosphere will still give you a shiver here and there. It would be unfair to *not* grant Resident Evil 5 the title it has acquired, because it is not only a true closing chapter of a grand series, it also has its moments where you feel the same of suspense as you did in the earlier parts- just never quite as much of it.

Are you curious as to what happened to Jill, what happens to Chris, Sheva, Wesker and a whole lot of other important characters in the Resident Evil universe? Or are you looking to kick some ass with a co-op player? Be sure to get this game, because it's already going to be one of the five best games of 2009.

Summary:

Graphics: 10/10
The Story: 9/10
Gameplay: 10/10
Sound: 9/10

The game breathes awesomeness.
- Fear you *can* forget. There are only a few little creepy moments, but the continuous suspense of the earlier games is never achieved.
- If you're a RE veteran you'll find that many scenes have been recycled, and after a while you may get the feeling that you've seen that by now.
- Sometimes, scenes as well as gameplay are a little over the top. Often this is a great thing, but every now and then it just pushes your limits over the edge as to what is still acceptable as realistic in a Resident Evil game.
- Only two puzzles while generously counting.

Set aside these points, the game is still awesome and a must buy for everyone who owns an Xbox 360 or Playstation 3.

OVERALL: 9/10

Resident Evil 5 is a modern classic (but yes, it's a little over the top).

Absolute Steve