Resident Evil 5

Publisher: Capcom Entertainment

Developer: Capcom Entertainment

Category: Action

Release Dates

N Amer - 03/13/2009

Official Game Website

Also available on:
• 360

Since it debuted on the PlayStation a decade ago, Capcom’s Resident Evil franchise has been not only the storied publisher’s most popular series, but also one of the most popular amongst all video games. Now, the publisher is almost ready to launch the fifth entry to the series proper, the long-awaited and highly-anticipated Resident Evil 5. GameZone was recently given some hands-on time with the title, and the results are what RE fans would hope for - an action-packed, exciting and often terrifying adventure.

As I’m sure most RE fans would know by now, Resident Evil 5 follows series hero Chris Redfield to the fictional African area of Kijuju as he investigates some strange happenings with a connection to the events that Leon Kennedy experienced in Europe during Resident Evil 4. Early on in his investigation, he meets Sheva Alomar and learned that some of the strangeness can be blamed on a man by the name of Irving. It doesn’t take long before the locals start to exhibit signs of the Las Plagas parasites that infected the Spanish cult in Resident Evil 4, forcing you to put a new spin on your search while fending off the infected inhabitants of Kijuju.

The controls should immediately feel comfortable to anyone who played Resident Evil 4. You control Chris from an over-the-shoulder view, holding down the trigger button in order to aim your weapon and the bumper button to arm your machete for melee combat. One new addition to the game’s interface is the inventory screen, which appears in real-time on the screen, without letting stopping the action, similar to the system employed in Dead Space.

The biggest new feature contributing to the gameplay in Resident Evil 5 is the cooperative element. With Sheva, you’ll go through the game working together, sharing items and ammo and using each other to get to areas that neither of you would be able to access on your own. Unlike many AI-controlled counterparts in video games, Sheva doesn’t require a lot of handholding; she’ll fight competently and collect items when needed. In the preview build, there were some moments that Chris would have to provide cover for Sheva while she ran an objective, and she for him at certain moments. Additionally, you’ll be able to share your inventory with her and vice versa, telling her to pick up new items should you not have room in your inventory, or ammo if she’s in need.

The game also has some pretty large scale boss battles. The chainsaw wielding enemy from RE4 makes a return within the sequel’s context, as do some larger enemies, including a giant mutant bat creature. You’ll have to employ some sense of strategy when fighting the bosses, who often have a specific weakness that needs exploited.

Graphically, Resident Evil 5 is shaping very well. The character models look fantastic and feature some really impressive facial animation, and the environments look great and have some really cool destructible elements. The explosion effects are also great and look pretty realistic. The sound is pretty nicely done, with atmospheric music and good voice acting.

If the preview build is any indication, Resident Evil 5 is turning out to be a great action game and a worthy successor to the franchise. Look for it this March.