Resident Evil 5

Out of the African veldt comes Chris Redfield a man on a mission.  Chris works for the Bioterrorism Security Assessment Alliance (BSAA), his purpose, to stop another zombie based bio-terror outbreak like the one in Racoon City.  Thus begins Resident Evil 5...

A risible plot ties together various sections.  To mention the story in any detail would only serve to spoil the game but it follows tightly from Resident Evil 4 with "Las Plagas" a tiny organism being the lead perpetrator in the outbreak.  In this instalment Chris teams up with Sheva tracking down a bio-terrorist named Irving. 

It's to Capcom's credit that a game hailed as both a one and two player cooperative experience actually pulls this off, and does so well.  Sheva can be controlled by the game AI or an on-line friend.   In fact Sheva's AI is so well developed that she shows few if any annoying traits often seen in games.  She conserves ammunition, although can be a little gung-ho with the machine gun, and moves logically in one of two settings.  Covering Chris or attacking; moving in for the kill opening herself up for more damage.

Wiith very little ammo, health or cash and a constant array of enemies, Resi 5 is definitely intense.  Adding to this taut gameplay is the fact that opening your inventory doesn't pause the game.  This leads to planning where the nine inventory items are placed as the d-pad allows quick access to the four items: up, down, left and right.  Also treasures hidden around the levels provide a much needed cash boost to upgrade your weaponry when you complete a level or die.

A game with a tag line, "a fear you can't forget", should have some...fear.  Sure this has intensity, brutality, determination and revenge but in concentrating on all this the mainstay of the series seems to have been missed.

Cooperatively the intensity translates well, and if one of you dies, you're both dead. But this can also lead to moments of hilarity as you run around levels like headless chickens or watch your comrade disappear into the distance wondering where s/he is going.  Seconds later they shoot the explosive barrel next to you; which often makes the game less Resident Evil more Comedy Central.  This isn't to say it isn't fantastic fun though.

Really, the promise of Resident Evil 5 hasn't quite been realised.  Too like Resident Evil 4 for veterans is coupled with a decided lack of true fear.  Resident Evil 5 is far from a failure, it just has a high pedigree to live up to.  Although a decent story, good hectic gameplay and a great co-op mode, all coupled with massive re-playability and numerous unlockables  means Resi 5 will keep you busy for a while.

..........

Want another opinion?