Resident Evil 5 review

Posted 03/12/2009 at 9:11pm | by Corey Cohen

RE5 bursts with ghouls, gunplay, familiar quirks, and genuine drama. Here's why the series' Xbox 360 debut is a must-play — and the spring's bloodiest, buddiest entertainment.

Some games break you in slow — an opening cutscene, a lengthy tutorial, some easy introductory battles. But not Resident Evil 5. It starts with a cinematic, a few pop-up hints...and within 15 minutes, you and your partner are in a shack besieged by dozens of zombies. You block the doors and scrounge desperately for ammo as the undead storm in and attack in droves. Eventually, the firefight spills over into the surrouding village, where you must hold out for a few frantic minutes until reinforcements arrive by chopper.

It’s a tense encounter…and the first of many. For much of its 15 to 20 hours of playtime, Resident Evil 5 is filled with balls-to-the-wall shootouts and awesome battles. Once upon a time, this series embodied slow-paced survival-horror, but now — in the tradition of Resident Evil 4 — it’s all about fast, intense action.

CONTINENTAL CUISINE

Whereas previous Resident Evils were set in Raccoon City, Europe, and even Antarctica, Resident Evil 5 shifts events to the fictional region of Kijuju, Africa. Franchise fans will recognize returning hero Chris Redfield, who appeared in the very first game as a member of the Raccoon City Police Department. With the fictional Raccoon City long since annihilated — and the Umbrella Corporation, the pharmaceutical giant that made the zombifying virus, having crumbled — Redfield is now part of the BSAA, an organization combating bioterrorism. Joined by Sheva Alomar, who belongs to the BSAA’s West African division, Redfield has been sent to halt a black-market bioweapons deal. Naturally, events go from bad to worse: your backup teams are slaughtered, and in Resident Evil tradition, it’s soon the two of you against a hellish mélange of zombies and virally mutated creatures.

Why Africa? Storywise, it involves the origins of Umbrella’s deadly viruses, but regardless, it’s a fitting setting for a game with so much diversity. Over the course of 16 levels, your adventures take you everywhere from lush green marshlands to dank mines to a flame-spewing oil facility, pitting you against zombified townsfolk, undead dogs, enormous bat creatures, tendril-y masses of goo, chainsaw-wielding zombies (every bit as intimidating as their Resident Evil 4 counterparts), and other crazed creations. Which are better — fast or slow zombies? That great debate isn’t settled here, as they come in all speeds, from lumbering, mask-wearing tribesmen to sprinting, machine-gun–toting soldiers whose virus clearly contains some fine A.I. routines, allowing them to blind-fire and duck effectively behind cover.

It’s all backed by some damn fine production values; in fact, if Resident Evil 5 were a zombie movie, it’d have (by comparison) the biggest budget of any yet produced. The graphics are gorgeous, whether you’re peering out over a dusky desert canyon or getting a too-close view of an attacker’s gory sinew. The sound, music, and voiceovers are all first-rate, and despite a few hokey lines, the cutscenes do a superb job of laying down the characters’ histories and motivations, including Chris’ growing cynicism and Sheva’s tragic backstory. As protagonists, they’re surprisingly interesting — and amid all their undead adversaries, surprisingly human.

ARMY OF TWO

That character development is pretty key given that Resident Evil 5 is essentially a two-player game (either the A.I. or a second player controls Sheva throughout the entire campaign). The two characters play slightly differently — Chris is right-handed and has punching melee moves, while Sheva is left-handed and has kicking melee moves — but what matters more is the way they work together to solve puzzles and defeat enemies.

Levels are built to require teamwork, so you’ll find plenty of dead ends where Chris must hoist Sheva up a broken ladder or hurl her across gaps (much like Splinter Cell Chaos Theory), allowing her to find new routes for them to proceed. In other locales — particularly some ancient, underground catacombs that scream Tomb Raider — the pair must go to different parts of an area and pull ropes or levers simultaneously to unlock doors, stairways, and so on. And when one character is mortally wounded, the other can revive them to minimum health, Gears of War–style, by running up to them and hitting B.

This setup works better than you might think in single-player. Sheva’s A.I. is pretty impressive: she’s vigilant about reviving you and is an able combatant — especially when you order her to Attack (rather than Cover you), which sends her charging ahead, aggressively assaulting nearby foes. Oddly, the only point in the game where we had problems with her was in the very last battle, where the A.I.’s inability to truly strategize — i.e., to flank an opponent or to remain rooted while you flank one — made beating the end boss maddeningly tough.

As you’d guess, that A.I. limitation is exactly what makes playing through the game in co-op so fun. Cooperative games are drop-in, drop-out; and when you’re playing alongside a human buddy, you can use genuine strategy, such as having one player distract a group of baddies while the other shoots them from afar, or using flanking maneuvers to gain a tactical advantage. And because the game was designed for co-op from the ground up, you truly feel like a team — whether you’re tag-teaming a gargantuan sea beast or defending your lantern-holding partner in a dark mine tunnel. It’s definitely the highlight of the game, and we’d recommend playing the game cooperatively.

EVIL LEGACY

Many of Resident Evil 5’s strengths were shared by its GameCube/PS2 predecessor, which also packed strong production values and gripping action. And in fact, the two games feel very similar, despite the huge technological gap between their platforms. Regrettably, though, some of Resident Evil 4’s issues have made their way into Resident Evil 5 — and they’re bound to rankle Xbox 360 owners, who are generally a more shooter-playing lot.

One is movement, which is loads better than it was in Resident Evil 4 — you can strafe now, thank you very much — but is still limited in a couple of basic ways. If you’re running (by holding down A) you can’t free-look: you have to go back to your default walk to fully look around the environment. Worse yet, you can’t shoot and move at the same time, which can be aggravating when you’re facing a gang of zombies and would naturally backpedal while blasting away at them. You get used to these handicaps, but why have them at all, especially in a 2009 shooter?

The bigger issue is item management, which some people will love but many will hate. It’s such a huge part of the game that you could easily spend a couple of hours on it — not insane for an immense RPG like Fallout 3, but a bit nuts for a shorter, action-based shooter. Each player has a nine-square inventory board (shown above); each square holds an ammo type, a grenade type, a gun, armor, or health herbs. When your squares are filled, you must give an item to your partner, trade items, or dump something to make room for a new pick-up. To complicate the system, between levels or when you die, you can organize items into an overflow grid (accessible at the next level or death) as well as buy new items.

The whole item-management system is essentially game-balancing — making sure you’re never too well-armed, so you’ll comb every environment for ammo, weapons, and other gear — and it does make for interesting trading with a co-op or A.I. partner. And for players like us, who compulsively break every crate in every game environment anyway, all the requisite rummaging isn’t so bad. But for everyone else, it’s overkill — a needless holdover from the series’ survival-horror days when searching for every last item felt more natural. Here, in a blockbuster action game, it feels like an unnecessary mini-game that stalls the action. Especially when you can’t buy most ammo or even backtrack to nab items you missed!

On a happier note, we were pleased to find that beating the campaign unlocks some great bonus content. (Capcom asked that we not spoil the surprise, but if you remember RE4’s Mercenaries mode, you’re on the right track.) It’s challenging and addictive, and for competitive types, it could easily add hours to your playtime.

28 DAYS LATER

Two weeks after we finished the game, what's stuck in our heads isn’t that mini-game, or even the control and inventory bugaboos. It’s the moments. With its powerhouse presentation and slam-bang co-op play, Resident Evil 5 is chock full of memorable gameplay experiences — from that early shootout in the shack to its late-game boss encounters, one of which had us barking orders at each other as we double-teamed an über-nasty with grenades, flamethrower, machine guns, and everything else in our arsenal.

For those new to the series, Resident Evil 5 may not be what you expect. It’s neither scary nor survival-horror, and though its story throws plenty of love to longtime fans, you don’t need to be one to enjoy it. Ultimately, it’s an action feast for two — with just a little gristle amid all the delicious blood, bone, and brains.

On Xbox 360

+ An action spectacular with terrific production values.

+ Excellent co-op game.

- Item-management and control issues.

? Will Evil arise from the ashes of Raccoon City?

9.0

+ Add a Comment

PredatorDrago

December 23, 2009 at 12:55pm

Out of all the Resident evil games i play this one by far is the best one. having a partner in the game helps out for cover when you get yourself into trouble with the bosses. the only i would like to see in this game is to aim and move at the same time for all the weapons so your not a still target for the bowguns. Graphics: 10 Gameplay:9.5 Story:9.5 Controlls:8 Re-play Value:9 Overall: 9.5

SplatterHouse 3

September 23, 2009 at 12:37pm

I THINK RESIDENT EVIL 4 FOR THE GAMECUBE IS BETER HAN THIS

REALKILLAMANE

April 26, 2009 at 5:03am

All around best game on 360 right now but I like the movement better on part 1 & 2 like how the camera changes in certain areas. Put your gamertag here too.

PlayerHaterz12

April 01, 2009 at 8:34am

For someone like myself who has never played a Resident Evil 5 game, its hard to imagine just jumping in and loving it. But, that is exactly what I did, this game by far is one the most top notch games this year. The Graphics are simply amazing (Easily one of the best on the 360). The A.I. really isn't as bad as people say. I usually give Sheva a rifle and pistol and she handles them both pretty well (even though she will use up ammo). The only downside to the game is that the controlls are horrid. Not, that you cant move while you shoot because that doesn't bother me, just the whole set up. But, eventually once you start getting through a couple chapters it becomes 2nd nature to you. The other thing, which doesn't bother me at ALL but does to some other people is that besides on Veteran, the game is pretty easy. I mean, Marshlands are a little tough but your pretty save with everything. Graphics: 10 Gameplay:9.5 Story:9.5 Controlls:8 Re-play Value:9 Overall: 9.5 OXM had this review perfect, GREAT job guys! Gamertag: PlayerHaterz

Rockstuh

March 31, 2009 at 7:45pm

RE5.. Took too long to get here.. 9/10 seems appropriate. Co-op is amazing. OXM basically covered everything.. Although, I wish they'd have brought Leon back, with Ashley as his "leg-wench".. I miss Leon. RE6 Maybe?.. And. Good on ya, Skizz.. He can't keep his words right. Although ADD-AD/HD is a possibility?.. Also on an unrelated note.. Broke 20k gamerscore. Pat on the back for myself. =) Rockstuh

SKizzUMATIK

March 30, 2009 at 12:27pm

Wait wtf? I just reread what TheBigMuldoonski or whatever wrote... and it seems like he can't seem to have a rational thought that lasts more than a nanosecond... Let me check that one more time - "Waa waa they arent zombies theyre las plagas. Did YOU play the game metal? Its Uroboros, not Las Plagas. And last time i checked, Dead looking fools that try to eat my face ARE zombies. Dont be such a douche. You douche." So you're saying they're not zombies, they're Plagas. They're not Plagas, it's Uroboros. oh but seriously, they're ZOMBIES! Figure out what the hell you're trying to say before you call people douches... honestly. It's just rude and you're the one who ends up looking like the dirty orifice.

SKizzUMATIK

March 30, 2009 at 12:21pm

Um actually, it's not Uroboros that's infected them, it's Las Plagas Type-2. Uroboros is what they were planning on infecting the world with. If they were infected with that, everybody would be giant black oozy tentacly freaks absorbing eachother. Plagas 2 is just a slightly weaponized version of the original Plagas (from RE4) so certain higher-ups could control people without having to wait for the parasite to grow inside them for days... it would be just minutes for full gestation. And NO, they're totally not zombies, weren't in 4, weren't in 5. As Chris states, "Sure didn't move like any zombie I've ever seen." So looks like YOU'RE the douche. You should go suck on one, clean your dirty little mouth out. SKizzUMATIK

TheBigMuldoonski

March 24, 2009 at 11:39am

Waa waa they arent zombies theyre las plagas. Did YOU play the game metal? Its Uroboros, not Las Plagas. And last time i checked, Dead looking fools that try to eat my face ARE zombies. Dont be such a douche. You douche.

metalcry

March 24, 2009 at 10:44am

did you guys (oxm) even play this game or pay attention to the story? There are no "zombies". Just mutated people(zombiues dont talk, use weapons, or have decision making abilities). 2ndly, the mutations were not caused by any virus. It was the las plagas perasite.

morazadarkheart

March 20, 2009 at 10:52pm

Item managment and Control issues? While with Resident Evil i dont have a proublem with no moving and shooting, i cant realy think of a good way to defend it...But for item mangement...Cant we look past the new system? Its all game balancing realy.....

Corey OXM

March 19, 2009 at 4:27pm

Assuming you mean the tomb-like area with the sun beams and the mirror puzzles----I'm definitely with you on the ruins, bmgurney. I thought it was easily the least exciting part of the game (something noted in a caption in the full mag review). Thankfully, the goodness resumes after that slow portion!

bmgurney88

March 18, 2009 at 8:34am

Up there with the classics in terms of story, the only problem i had was the ruins scenario, it seemed a little far fetched at times, but other than that, this game is kick ass it had me craving more and more, this is a must buy for any fans of the series from the beginning to 4, i wasn't a fan of what they did at first, but thinking about it i read all the books, and the zombies and the monsters in the game were similar to the ones in the books, they evolve so for those of you who were skeptic, please play this game all the way through, the story is awesome and it stays true to it's roots

PlayerHaterz12

March 17, 2009 at 10:30pm

I'm seriously starting to get SICK and TIRED of immature idiots saying OXM is Biased or hates games based on personal opinions. They do an extentive review process to get each game correct. Dead Space was a genious flawed. It had the opportunity to be a GREAT game but failed to give it all, kind of like Assassins Creed!!! All I'm saying is OXM are PROFESSIONALS who work, just like all your mommys and daddys or YES. Mabye even some of you guys. They Do a great job and this game easily deserves a 9/10. GREAT Review OXM! Gamertag: PlayerHaterz

Austin Murphy

March 17, 2009 at 4:40pm

Hey wats up.Ive beat the game on all difficulties and 1 things for sure I like it even more everytime because it gets harder and harder but I evenually get it.My Opinion is this game deserves a 10 out of 10 stars no matter what anybody says I love the game.

Heath27

March 17, 2009 at 6:26am

one thing i will say, after reading this review for a second time i am quite impressed with the content and i hope future reviews from this site will maintain this standard.

Heath27

March 17, 2009 at 6:12am

If this game is worth a 9 and you could only give Dead Space a 6.5 then I am deeply deeply shocked. where is the consistency in these reviews.? Sure there are some in-between, those who hated a game I liked or those who like and i know reviews are simply are what what they are; opinion pieces. But a games reviewer needs to remaim partial, to a degree, and objective. if you criticise aspects of a game you need to back them up - which was a complete failure in your review of dead Space, which is currently universally regarded as the best survival horror game out there at the moment. I will not be bothering in reading anymore reviews from this site again. i also feel compelled to assert my influence in excluding any reviews from this site that appear on MetaCritic - which can deeply damage a games average rating - as was seen with Dead Space.

xpects the xpctd

March 15, 2009 at 5:02pm

Oh and yes, I agree on the graphics, fantastic! And no matter what anyone says, those boss fights can get intense, especially the last one (no spoilers). The story was great (yes I know the whole story, I do my research) and I'm dying to get my hands on RE5 again.

xpects the xpctd

March 15, 2009 at 4:57pm

I will admit, this was the first Resident Evil game I've played all the way through. To be honest, the no walking while shooting thing isn't that bad, and I'm used to playing games like Halo 3 and Call of Duty 4 and WaW. Before anyone says anything, I played throught the whole game with my buddy last night, clocking I think 11 hours with about 1 and a half playthroughs. The game was amazing and I think those 11 hours have convinced me to run out and buy it. Worth every cent.

Sl8ter13

March 15, 2009 at 4:29pm

I guess Japan still hasnt figured how to aim and walk at the same time..... no wonder why they lost WWII.

Cronos501

March 13, 2009 at 12:11am

I'am trying to get a good idea of how good this game is, some people say it's great game and others say it's just mediorce game that's being safe and don't innovate much except the co-op. I just need to know if i can have the same experience playing RE4 before i blow $60 on the same old,same old

Resident Evil 5 review

Resident Evil 5 review

On Xbox 360

9.0

PredatorDrago

SplatterHouse 3

REALKILLAMANE

PlayerHaterz12

Rockstuh

SKizzUMATIK

SKizzUMATIK

TheBigMuldoonski

metalcry

morazadarkheart

Corey OXM

bmgurney88

PlayerHaterz12

Austin Murphy

Heath27

Heath27

xpects the xpctd

xpects the xpctd

Sl8ter13

Cronos501

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Resident Evil 5 review

On Xbox 360

9.0

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