As RE4 inspires a new take on the RE series, RE5 fails to live up or build upon its highly successful predecessor.
However, after paying $100 for the pre-ordered XBOX 360 Collector's Edition Resident Evil 5 package, and promptly beat it with a friend in less than 24 hours, I am sad to say I was severely disappointed.
I've played and beaten Resident Evil 4 Wii Edition seven times. And I continue to play it even now. The first play through took me over 60 hours! Why? Because when it comes to survival horror games, I am a baby! I go slowly, peek around every corner, pull out my gun at every sound. I was afraid the entire game! Sadly, Resident Evil 5 was not so. Resident Evil 5 removed so much of the horror elements that made the series so great. The dark hallways, the surprise enemies (popping out of places, etc.), the disturbing environments, etc. Where was the garden maze with infected dogs jumping out of you from who knows where? Where were the foreboding breaths of the Regenerators warning you of what was in the darkness ahead? To be fair, however, the only times my friends and I shrieked in horrified delight was when those chainsaw enemies drew close enough to cut us in half and we scurried around looking for an escape. However, those few moments were hardly enough to quell the overall limpness the game suffered from.
One of the biggest disappointments to me was the almost entire removal of the quick-button encounters. I have Resident Evil Degeneration on my cell phone, and that had more quick-button moments that Resident Evil 5 did. Now, can some please explain to me why my PHONE has more of those encounters than a highly anticipated sequel on a highly popular gaming console? To me that is just sad. The longest one was at the end, which was decently long, but I remember thinking at that time, "Why did we have to wait until now?"
Also, say goodbye to dark and disturbing maps. Almost the entire game takes place in broad daylight without even a color scheme to make it seem at least eerie. There was very little "scare factor" to keep my easily spooked self entertained. Even the parts that could be deemed "scary" felt like a step back from the progress the series has made over the past few years.
Say goodbye to unique and epic boss battles. I loved the bosses in Resident Evil 4. Loved them. Unique, scary, disturbing, challenging in a good way. In Resident Evil 5? Get ready to meet cheap knockoffs from 4. The story attempts to get away with this by claiming Las Plagas has evolved and whatnot. To me wit was just laziness. Fighting the Right Hand of Salazar was epic and heart-pounding. Fighting the new version of El Gigante was just dumb. I am telling the complete truth as I say this: my friend and I, first play through, killed that boss in 32 seconds. We couldn't believe how easy it was. So, we reset the system and tried again without trying to rush anything, this time timing it. 32 seconds. W...T...F... If the bosses were at least slightly difficult and took some creativity to beat that would be one thing. But 32 seconds... I think I've said enough.
However, the major strength of Resident Evil 5 is its co-op capabilities. Even though my friends and I had to restart about three times because we couldn't figure out how the damn player profile system was incorporated in the game, we found it to be a highly enjoyable experience destroying zombies together. If only 4 had co-op than 5 wouldn't even have a chance.
Despite my negative review, the game was enjoyable, it did contain many solid Resident Evil series features, and the story was strong enough to keep me interested. For those who are fans of the series, this is absolutely a must play. I am glad I played and beat it. Am I glad I spent $100 on something I played for 24 hours and haven't touched since? No. I learned my lesson, however.
In conclusion, the graphics were great, the controls worked well, but, as any of you will know who have read my previous reviews and blogs, neither can truly save a game from failure. I would rather continue playing Resident Evil 4 with its near perfect port to the Wii, than play a lesser game that "looks better." For those who haven't played either Resident Evil 4 or 5, play 4 first for the chronological story, but play 5 first so as not to be as disappointed with 5 as I was after playing 4.
PROS:
Great co-op
Good graphics
More realistic inventory system (but I kinda liked having a million things in my "Large Case" :) )
CONS:
Very weak atmosphere
Weak bosses
Recycled bosses
Not scary
Too easy
Removed or greatly reduced successful gameplay elements introduced in previous game (RE4)
NOTE:
If anyone wants my copy of Resident Evil 5 Collector's Edition (discs in perfect condition, with all the bonus stuff) let me know. I am more than willing to sell it.