Its Horrible Cover System/Story, Easy Boss Battles, and Short Play Through Time, Are Easily Noticeable in This Sequel.
The Story of Resident Evil 5 sets in Africa where it is believed the Virus that carries no panacea within, has spread even further and that of course somehow Umbrella Corp. is involved. The beginnings of the Virus are said to have started in this African country, called Kijuju. The incidents take place 10 years after the outbreak of the Virus and for fans of the story, the game offers an intense roller coaster ride that will answer many questions yet send you confused with more questions to answer. Its over the top action approach is great, even though the story can seem quite ridiculous with all the twist and turns that happen. The characters seem driven, but they seem too cool, to actually possess emotions, that make them seem like their more than just characters involved in this over the top B movie.
The new setting takes Resident Evil where its never gone before, Africa and it does a wonderful job at trying to scare you with it, but sadly its not enough and the atmosphere is more action, and this is where the problem comes in, its less horror like. It seems that Resident decided to try something new, but for fans of the series they might not be so appreciative of this. Its epic in scale of magnitude with less scares and some thrills. So for anyone who has ever played a Resident Evil game, this is perhaps the biggest annoyance, as it is a survival horror, isn't it. Its simply too sunny to look like a dark noir horror game.
However, Resident Evil 5's visuals are impressive for a multiplatform game, and you can tell that its more color involved with the hot scorching sun, obvious signs of the heat and bright colors that loom the game. Its beautiful to look at, and the game is certainly the best looking RE game yet. The game has a large amount of detail put into it and at least we know that it was polished enough to have an great rating visually.
Orchestral sounds are done just with the right amount of pound to them, making it seem like a well done action orchestra that keeps the game moving forward. For the first time ever, Resident Evil 5 has its own soundtrack and that's good to know that its trying to include the whole package together. And so, it keeps its eggs in a basket well enough to make the soundtrack a hit.
The game play of RE5 is similar to Resident Evil 4 with melee attacks easier to deal. However the knife has no use to it anymore, which is also disappointing as it was used to conserve ammo, but it seems Chris can melee with every gun shot aimed at the foe. You don't need to be precise at shooting because your guaranteed a melee without even trying, really. The melee is enjoyable, but the game seems easier because of it. Its also very strange that the game would include a cover system in the second half of the game, (does this remind you of anything) enemies that wield weapons and shoot at you, yet they still try to instill horrors that just aren't there for the right reason's, by keeping the "same stand and shoot" game play. It simply just doesn't fit this Gears of War type style that their going for, when you cling on to awkward controls, in order to cling to the past of uniqueness. If Capcom would of delivered a survival horror I would have not minded the controls, but given the circumstances, its just preposterous to include the same system when everything else has been changed. As we all know RE5 has implemented co-op, because this generation of gaming is more co-op and multiplayer based, and many want to get in where the money is rolling. Capcom has added this new feature which is fun, but honestly it feels like Gears of War and Geow seems much more faster and natural; its controls are the only thing that keep these two apart. No matter who you are you will wonder, why RE5 took such weird steps to evolve, while still trying to stick to the past, with its unique game play style that's stuck in an action game. Something that may ruin it for some fans is that playing RE5 by yourself is not even close to as enjoyable as it is playing with a friend. Playing with someone you know is preferable because there is a lot of team communication based game play that requires cooperation from both Chris and Sheva.
Playing by yourself will result in you having to do double the work as Sheva is a good AI, but we've never had the perfect AI. She will lose her bullets and you'll need to give her bullets, because if she dies, the mission is failed, yep. This makes it somewhat annoying having to give your hard earned ammo to a computer who will waste them quicker than you can say Roger! She will miss bullets, but still is a minor help and the best AI in a game, because no game has featured as smart AI as Sheva is. Like I said this is an A+ and an A- because no AI can replace a human. So you can play it single player, but the essence of RE5 as a single player is as enjoyable as playing Call of Duty 4's campaign, which is not a good thing.
Co-op on the other hand is what makes the game shine at it best peak. It fun, rewarding, hard, and it delivers. With a great partner the co-op is easily enjoyed. Weather its covering your partner, providing assistance in a puzzle, you'll always need each other. But, the co-op includes puzzles that can be as boring as holding a flash light for the other player, yeah not the best experience you'll have holding a flash light. Essentially the co-op is solid and you might what to go at it again to collect more weapons and play it on a harder mode.
A new menu system is introduced in where the player's screen wont stop when combining and switching items, because its on the go now, in real time, its good because it makes close encounters more intense, but can get a little annoying and getting used to. You can also trade items with your partner and give them to the other person. Bullets, health, and everything can be traded like this. Its nice that its not very hard to use and its pretty simple. Similar to Deadspace, which some will like and others will want the menu system back from RE4. The only problem is when your in the middle of a boss fight trying to give each other ammo, not the best situation if your also up against the Menu system.
RE5 includes many bosses and they are all given certain new details. Famously El Gigante returns with a new dew and giant crocodiles return. Bosses however seemed to have dumbed down as in one scene against a Sea Monster... wait....wait....you use a turret to kill the monster. This annoying turret is further used on an El Gigante in the middle of the game. Why the El Gigante doesn't just stomp across you is beyond me, and it just seems like the memorable boss battles from Resident Evil 4 aren't found anywhere here.
Resident Evil 5 is a wonderful game that took many efforts to make, however after you played Resident Evil 4, more was initially expected, which explains my tone throughout this review. If you forget about RE4, and think of RE5 as its own, it's a great game, but nothing we haven't seen before. Its horrible cover system, easy boss battles, and short play through time are easily noticeable in this sequel. For the fans this game might deliver or again it might not, since its not really a survival horror game. Its an intense ride that feels like it should of stayed true to itself instead of changing so much to keep up with games this gen. Resident Evil is still one of the best franchise's ever, its just that coming in from a game so good, RE5 is just a fun game that doesn't do much to innovate and or expand upon its predecessor. With big production values, great graphics and an OK narrative, Resident Evil 5 is still a game that should most certainly be added on to a fans collection, or for anyone not familiar, its either a buy or rent. I certainly thought I would have spent much more time on it, instead I busted in Resident Evil 4 and had a much better time.
Production values: 9
Sound: 8
Graphics: 9
Game play: 7.5
Replay value: 7.5
Overall Score: 7.5/10 or C+ (Not An Average)
Verdict: A must buy for anyone hardcore to the series. If you are not too familiar its worth renting or buying depending on how much you enjoyed the demo. Its like Gears of War which is a bad thing, because it pales in comparison, as the third person shooter has already been perfected, by Gears of War. It technically is not a Resident Evil game because its more action oriented. However you'll have fun playing co-op if you come in open minded knowing that its not the best thing ever to come out, its just a good above average game.