Developed by Capcom and Nvidia LightSpeed Studios, the world of Resident Evil brings Resident Evil 5 following the returning Chris Redfield and Sheva Alomar. Either alone with an AI teammate, or together with a friend, you are tasked with investigating a bio-terrorism outbreak in Africa, centred around the mysterious Uroboros virus. It is up to Chris and Sheva to uncover the sinister plot and prevent total global annihilation as a team while fighting for survival through West Africa.
Story and Environment
Resident Evil 5 holds 12-34 hours worth of content for casually returning Resident Evil fans or for the overachievers looking for 100% completion. The story delves into themes of global bioterrorism, with a strong focus on the consequences of the previous games' events. The environment is diverse, ranging from desolate villages and jungles to high-tech laboratories. While it introduces a new locale, the story feels somewhat predictable and doesn't explore the same level of tension or horror that the earlier titles in the franchise did. The setting in Africa provides an interesting contrast to previous urban and isolated locales, but it can feel a bit detached from the original survival horror tone.
Gameplay
Resident Evil 5 shifts the series' classic survival horror formula to a more action-focused style. The game uses a third-person perspective with a fixed camera, and combat is front and centre, offering a variety of weapons and cooperative mechanics with the AI or a second player controlling Sheva. The controls are smooth, but the heavy emphasis on action diminishes the suspense and tension that defined earlier games in the series. Puzzles are less frequent, and ammo management, a key component in past titles, is downplayed. The addition of co-op play is a significant plus, enhancing the experience, but it also highlights how the game leans more toward action than survival horror.
Visuals and Graphics
The visuals in Resident Evil 5 are striking for its time, with highly detailed character models and environments. The game uses a bright and colourful aesthetic for the African setting, which stands out compared to the dark, oppressive tones of earlier games. However, while the graphics are solid, the visual quality can sometimes feel inconsistent, with areas of the game looking a bit dated in comparison to other contemporary titles. The animations are fluid, and the cutscenes are cinematic, but the overall graphical presentation, while impressive for its era, doesn't completely hold up when compared to the graphical fidelity seen in more recent titles.
Summary
Resident Evil 5 is a notable shift in the franchise, moving away from survival horror into action-oriented gameplay. While it offers intense combat and cooperative mechanics, it struggles to maintain the series' traditional atmosphere of suspense and terror. The visuals are impressive for its time, and the African setting offers a fresh backdrop, but the story and environmental tension often feel lacking. For fans of action-packed shooters, it is an enjoyable experience, but for those hoping for the terrifying atmosphere of earlier games, it may fall short.
Pros
The inclusion of a second player or AI partner adds a new layer of strategy and fun.
Smooth and satisfying third-person shooting and weapon handling.
A diverse range of settings, from villages to high-tech labs.
The cutscenes and character animations are impressive for its time.
Cons
The focus on action reduces the traditional survival horror atmosphere.
The plot feels formulaic and doesn't provide the same mystery or fear as earlier entries.
Some environments look dated compared to the standards of the time.
The game leans more on combat than the environmental puzzle-solving that was a staple of earlier titles.