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Resident Evil was a series that I didnt get into until more recently – I never had a love for horror movies, so horror games never really appealed. However, a few years ago, I decided to give RE4 a shot (I actually got the Wii version, since it seemed to work well with the control system). I enjoyed the game quite a lot, although it seemed the series had become a lot more action oriented than it had used to be. Anyway, since then I have played some of the older games, including the GameCube Remake of Resident Evil. This game is a true gem, full of suspense, jumpy moments and creepy atmosphere. Although a hard game with its limited items, this is when I truly began to appreciate the series. So, a little while after it was released, I decided to pick up RE5.

Things have evolved a bit in the RE universe – as opposed to the mysterious events of zombies in a mansion – Resi 1’s “Mansion Incident”, and the events of Racoon City, biological weapons have been unveiled from the shadows, and theyre everywhere. Multiple viruses now exist, including the “Las Plagas”, a type of infection that takes control of a person’s mind, making them a lot smarter and more agile than zombies. Countries are selling various biological weapons in black market deals, and Chris Redfield is now a member of the BSAA, a group dedicated to the eradication of said “B.O.W.s” (Biorganic Weapons). It is this which brings him to Africa, although there is much more at stake than it may initially seem.

The game’s setting is the first to have levels in daylight – usually the night time setting is simply to give the game a more horror-like feel. Continuing RE4’s use of the smart, agile Las Plagas (known as Majini in Africa) - its very much about the fear of being outnumbered rather than suspense. Although not as scary as its predecessors, it works well with the game’s plotline. Chris now has a partner, Sheva Alomar, who accompanies him through the entire game. In single player, she is controlled by AI; otherwise the game includes a full co-op experience, available both offline and online.

The gameplay works very much the same as Resi 4, a third person game with the camera situated behind the player’s back. The controls actually similar to the original RE titles – pressing up and down on the L Stick make you step forward or back, while you can turn left and right using the R Stick, and you can also perform a quick 180 turn by pressing down and A together. However, as opposed to the pre-4 games, you can also strafe by moving the L stick left and right. This control style keeps the game feeling like a Resi title, while updating it to feel more fluid and responsive. Shooting works in the same way as Resi 4, you hold the LT to raise your gun, and then use the LS to aim, and RT to shoot. Although the game is often criticised for the inability to shoot while running, it gives it more of a true RE feeling, and soon becomes second nature.

Sheva’s AI involves her following you everywhere – you can set her between Attack and Cover modes, which essentially make her either Aggressive or Passive. Its fairly simple, but probably for the best as you don’t want to be wading through several menus as a Majini wants to eat your face. Her AI isn’t terrible, although it does have flaws. On the good side, she seems capable to shoot enemies fairly well, and tends not to get stuck in silly places. She also has the intelligence to pass you ammunition for weapons you are holding, and can heal you when necessary. However, she can have the occasional ‘dumb’ moment, where she will use items that probably could have been otherwise conserved, or get caught in a one-hit kill attack by one of the stronger enemies – which causes you t0 fail in the same way that dying yourself would. However, both of these issues are generally avoidable, by keeping a check on what inventory she has held, and by using the few AI controls you have (changing aggressiveness, or calling her to you). Overall, I think the AI has been done pretty well – AI partners can become a real burden in games, whereas Sheva is fairly intuitive, and only causes a little frustration. In both single player and co-op, you must learn to share ammunition and supplies between the two characters.

Obviously the co-op mode is a different matter – this mode is done perfectly – both players have full control over their characters, and both have access to all game features. When you play with a friend, you also have complete access to your own game’s inventory, so you can continue to build on your own supplies and equipment, and use the guns you have been upgrading yourself.

This brings me to the inventory.  This has been changed a bit since before, with all items taking up single square slots, rather than different size spaces in an attache case. Both Chris and Sheva have a 3×3 grid of 9 slots of their own personal inventory, in which they can hold any 9 items they wish – weapons, herbs, ammunition etc. The four middle slots around the edges are designated to D-Pad shortcuts, (for instance the top middle slot represents the Up D-Pad command) and allows you to assign items to these for fast access. During misisons you can trade items with Sheva easily, so organising things is easy. Outside of missions you have a large store where you can place items you wish to keep but not hold at the current time, so you can build up a collection without having to hold everything at once. Most guns can be upgraded in this inventory screen, by paying gold to upgrade various aspects such as Firepower, Ammo Capacity and other bonuses such as Piercing and Critical Hits for headshots. This system is very useful, allowing you to improve your guns as you progress, so that they don’t just become weak and redundant over time. You can also purchase new weapons and items using this gold. Also, you can find various treasures during the game, such as gold artifacts and the like, which can all be sold for good money.

The game has a fairly good range of different levels and settings, after the shanty towns and savannas of the first few missions you’ll find yourself in other areas which are all look great, and offer new themes. Graphically, the game is amazing. Capcom have done a great job at both character design and level design, and it all blends perfectly. I won’t say too much as I don’t want to spoil it, but the missions get even better over time. Also, the game features a chapter select mode, allowing you to replay levels with your current supplies, allowing you to build on your inventory and attempt better times and ranks for the different stages.

Sadly, there is a fairly big lack of puzzles – there are only 1 or 2 in the game. However, I suspect this is because the game is made with good replay value, and puzzles could get tedious having to repeat them every time you do certain levels.

This title has a fairly large amount of bosses, although generally this is a great thing – they all have different strategies, look great and are challenging yet not impossible. Some of the stronger enemies feel like ’sub-bosses’ such as the Chainsaw Majini, which seems to have quite a lot more HP than its RE4 counterpart. All the main bosses are fairly different, so there is a nice range and they’re all satisfying to defeat. You may find a little frustration on one or two, but where’s the fun without a little challenge?

The game features a system where you are awarded points after missions, which can be used to unlock bonus features. Although to begin with you’ll see nothing but statues of characters and enemies to buy, once the game is complete you can get some alternate costumes, and a couple of other decent features which are worth saving for.

Multiplayer wise, this game seems pretty good. Obviously the co-op mode is brilliant, but Mercenaries mode acts as a two player survival mode, scoring points by killing zombies and keeping yourselves alive. Capcom are also releasing a couple of DLC multiplayer modes – including a Versus mode – although at 800MSP a piece I’ve yet to see if these will be worth the price tag.

Overall, Resident Evil has changed. Gone are the jumpy-horror parts, the puzzles, and the slow flesh-eating undead. But with the game’s general plot, it has become a worthy sequel to a great story, and the gameplay compliments this. This is possibly the best co-op game on the 360, and has plenty of replay value. The single player is good also, I personally have completed it with the AI, but am only half way in co-op mode. The game is very satisfying and well worth a purchase – just don’t expect to be afraid.

-Leon