RE5 doesn't feel like it should have the Resident Evil title, but it sure is a blast to play regardless.
The game picks up following the events of Resident Evil 4. Former S.T.A.R.S. member and series favorite Chris Redfield now works for a anti-bioterrorism group called the BSAA, who is out to stop the dealing of the same biological threat that created the chaos in Resident Evil 4 from taking place and getting in the hands of terrorists, which is taking place in the small African town of Kijuju and then some. There is where he meets Sheva Alamar, another member of the BSAA sent to help Chris on his mission. In a matter of moments they come across infected African villagers known as Majini. A majority of BSAA members are killed and all that leaves is Chris and Sheva to investigate who and what is causing this to happen. In terms of story, this proves to be a good, solid story for the series and helps to tie everything together.
Fans of Resident Evil 4 should instantly be familiar with the game's core mechanics. The game is set as a third-person shooter with the camera set in an over-the-shoulder position. Your goal is to travel through six chapters defeating various parasitic creatures and occasionally solving a few puzzles. The game's gameplay isn't what some may expect in a shooter, especially if they have never played RE4. Rather than focusing on the popular run-and-gun mechanic used in games like Gears of War, you are unable to shoot while moving. You will have to stop and aim at the enemies. This was made intentional to add tension to the action as you desperately switch off between trying to steadily aim at incoming Majini and also trying to dodge their attacks. Despite what some may think the action is top notch and the controls are quite good and they are actually a bit of an improvement of Resident Evil 4's already excellent gameplay. And just like in RE4, the game is loaded with context-sensitive actions and quick time events, even during the cutscenes.
There are still a few differences in gameplay between this and its predecessor. For one, you can now move sideways, which is a nice touch, and you also have even less space to store your items and weapons. In Resident Evil 4 you were given a briefcase to hold your items in, and you could hold quite a few items in it, but in this game you are limited to nine spaces, causing you to be more mindful of what you bring along and you have to make critical choices on what to keep. If you want to use any items in your inventory, you will have to bring certain items up in real time, often during the action. So you will have to be quick or else you'll regret it. New to the series is cooperative play, which adds even more fun to the solid story campaign. Actually it is more recommended to play the game cooperatively since the AI partner likes to waste precious bullets and healing items.
It's a good idea to explore the game's levels when given the chance because doing so can really help you out in the long run. Enemies do drop necessary items, but searching areas for boxes, crates, and other breakable objects can help add to that. Not only that, but you can also find treasures that you can sell and get even more money. At the end of each chapter you get the opportunity to organize, buy, sell, and upgrade with the money you have collected.
If there is one legitimate complaint to be had with this game, it's that it simply doesn't feel like Resident Evil, a series known for survival horror. Sure, you got the familiar faces and names, but it is no longer to be classified in the same group as Resident Evil. This is partly due to the more action oriented gameplay and the fact that this game is not scary. There are moments of intensity, sure, but you are not going to be legitimately be afraid of anything. What was once known as a series about survival horror has now been turned into a series of horror themed action games. This kind of got a start in Resident Evil 4, but that game managed to retain a fantastic horror atmosphere and it was trying to be legitimately terrifying. Plus, it really did focus on the survival aspect. But this game doesn't really have that going for it.
To this day Resident Evil 5 is sight to look at. Whether in full HD or even SD, this game has really amazing visuals going for it. The environments have a substantial amount of detail, as well as the amazing facial animations, lip sync, and movements of the character models. The musical score is also great to listen to, focusing more on a sort of action movie feel which certainly suits the game's gameplay style. The voice acting is also top notch while still retaining some goofy dialog, like the series is known for.
PROS:
-Beautiful visuals
-Great action
-Good voice acting
-Good music
-Good controls
-A story fitting for RE
CONS:
-AI wastes bullets and healing items
-Simply doesn't feel like Resident Evil
If you are a lifelong fan of Resident Evil, or even a fan of RE4, do approach this without thinking of this as Resident Evil, but rather as a spectacularly made horror-themed action game. For fans of horror-themed games in general I do recommend this, perhaps as a good rental.