Resident Evil 5 Review
Platform: PS3, Xbox 360, PC
Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
Author: S.A.
In March 2009 Capcom released Resident Evil 5, probably the last good resident evil game released by Capcom (until Revelations 1 and 2). That being said, while Resident Evil 5 isn’t as good as its predecessor Resident Evil 4, the game is still a blast. It goes further away from the original dark, gritty survival horror to an even more fast-paced action thriller. It also has an added feature that Resident Evil 4 did not have, that is, a companion. The companion can be controlled either by AI (a really badly programmed AI that can die) or another player (automatically better than the AI guaranteed) either online or split-screen. Not only do we get a new partner for our zombie killing pleasure, but the popular Mercenaries mode returns (twice actually, one with the base game and one as a DLC) with a pretty wide cast of playable characters each with unique loadouts. This mode can be played either solo or with another player and will offer hours of zombicidal relief.
Chris and Sheva, the perfect Tag Team.
The story follows BSAA agent Chris (not Leon) Redfield and his new partner Sheva Alomar as they arrive in a fictional locale, somewhere in Africa, as they are investigating odd occurrences. As the player progresses, new friends and enemies appear as well as some old acquaintances to shed light on certain mysteries. The story’s progression is pretty smooth, with many checkpoints and, quite often, a boss battle by the end of each chapter.
I dare you not to run.
The game’s graphics are okay, they aren’t great and the scenery isn’t really much to look at but there are zombies so why bother looking at scenery? The cutscenes have entertainment value even if they aren’t really smooth. The music within the game is not very impressive, I rarely took note of it, and I doubt you will either. As far as I’m concerned the music is only there to let the player know that they’re in a fight. The music will play loudly when there are enemies around and softly (if even at all) when there aren’t. So keep your ears open, or get snuck up on….by zombies.
The game plays from a third-person over the shoulder perspective, with an option of being able to lock on to your partner. There is an emphasis on cooperative play as you can’t proceed through certain doors until both players are present. There are also area’s where you must traverse alone, wherein which Chris must throw Sheva up (or across) to access restricted areas. Don’t venture to far though players, our opponents can now grapple onto players and the other must knock them free, as well as resuscitating each other when close to death. Gamers also have the ability to swap items, such as guns, explosives, ammunition, and curatives if they are close enough.
You must stop to take aim in this horror game.
The combat can be challenging, especially when trying to not get hit because the movement (a stop to shoot system) is so unconventional, however, it shouldn’t take too long to get used to it. There are several unlockables (like a rocket launcher) if certain clear conditions are met during the campaign and mercenaries.
To be honest, I found it to be therapeutic participating in multiple zombie genocides. This definitely justifies revisiting this game every now and then, especially when involving friends.
Follow us on Twitter to keep up with the latest posts, or to recommend a game for the team to review: @TheSaveSpot1
