Resident Evil 5

I'm not an expert gamer and my Mrs certainly isn't but we both love this game as a cooperative adventure. It's 'free roaming' ability and combination of puzzles and action are second to none I've ever experienced. For a first bash at 2 player for a 'traditional' Resi title this is a brilliant achievement. Certainly the bext game we've played together ever.

After 13 years and 7 main entries in the series, Resident Evil finally draws to a close. The question that needs to be asked is does it end with a whimper, or a grand finale?

Taking place in 2009, several years after Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine stormed the last Umbrella stronghold in southern Russia, Chris returns to the scene as he hunts down known terrorist Ricardo Irving alongside his new partner, Sheva Alomar. I won't reveal too much, as a lot has already been said by other reviewers, however what I will say is that the ending to the saga is something that you won't want anyone to spoil for you, especially if you've been waiting for this installment since the end of RE4.

Gameplay is always a debated topic amongst games. The new edition is co-op play in the main story, both on and offline. Many will find the feature of a second character strange, especially since Resident Evil was always about finding yourself alone in impossible situations with very little to defend yourself with. The good news is that Sheva allows a nice amount of variety in how you must play. Whether it's sniping from afar as she takes out enemies up close, or assisting you in moving a particularly large wooden crate, she rarely becomes a pain and if you're playing with a friend then you will more than likely see co-op as a welcome addition.

With the control scheme in this game, it's a case of if you still enjoy the original versions of Resident Evil 4 then you will love this. For those that don't like the idea of standing still to aim and shoot, I urge you to at least give it a few hours before making a final decision. The problem is that RE5 doesn't do anything ground-breaking in terms of how it plays; it retains the interactive cutscenes from it's Spanish-located predecessor, and leans towards frantic action over horror, but it doesn't give anything new to the genre. However, the action is fast and as a result - for me at least - it never bothered me having to stop to fight. I've played RE since the beginning and it really is more like a little tribute to the original game than a cheap shot at modern day gaming.

The amount of weapons in games are constantly expanding, and RE5 is rolling with the times in this area. Multiple variations of handguns, SMGs and shotguns are the basic artillery that you will find yourself handling in the opening chapters of the game, with more firearms coming to your disposal as you continue your journey.

Graphically it's hard to think of anything that can surpass the visual delight that is RE5. The sun beaming down onto the small wooden huts of an African village, the glow of a flame bouncing around an other-wise dark cave, the locations look incredible. The artistic design is something that truly should be praised. The appearance of everything in the game shows that the past 4 years have been a time for dedication from those working at the Capcom studios. In an era where graphics are constantly improving to push the abilities of HD to its full potential, it's very satisfying to know that this truly may be the best available for both PS3 and 360.

The poorly acted dialogue that has existed throughout the Resident Evil series remains in the last installment, though less recognisable than before. Cliches can still be found left, right and center, but again it's something that adds a little bit of character and personality, and has helped make RE what it is all these years. The sound effects are incredible, particularly when it comes to screams and shouts from the rapidly approaching enemies, and what music does exist in the game has been carefully chosen to suit the location around you.

The standard Majinis you will face share a lot in common with their Ganado counterparts, but whilst they may be the majority of enemies you face they vary in size, strength and weaponry. In addition to the other new enemies that ambush you along the way, a few favourites from past games make an appearance, but much like the plot, should be left to experience. Needless to say they keep the action varied and pacy.

RE5 is seen as a big departure from the series in two main areas: the first being that a lot is set during the day, with the sun bearing down upon you. The second being that it isn't generally terrifying. However, before you jump to any negative conclusions, the daytime aspects are actually used to particular effect. There are still dark caves and sewers, typical locations from past games, but the use of day allows for good contrast so that you can truly appreciate each new locale. With regards to the fear factor, I honestly never found RE4 to be particularly frightening, so to me it's not a huge departure from the game I loved 4 years ago. Several moments will have you jumping out of your skin as you try to run for your life from...well to say what would be spoiling a particularly excellent moment in the game. I'll just say that RE5 still has some spine-tingling moments, and the fact it isn't as scary as the original RE simply shows how the series has evolved from a survival horror to an action horror genre.

Whilst a large handful of people will play the demo and decide against playing the finished version, I recommend at least experiencing the game for a few hours. Resident Evil 5 is more than willing to reward long time fans of a much beloved videogame series. After the 12-20+ hour story (depending on your difficulty), a wealth of extras - that won't be disclosed here to prevent spoiling anything - open up for you to play. If you have enjoyed the series as long as I have, it's my belief you will find peace when you finally bring the decade-long plot to a conclusion.

In answer to my original question, Resident Evil 5 goes out with a loud, defiant, and very grand finale, and will be remembered for a long time to come.

The Resident Evil series has come a long way since the original burst onto the gaming scene back in 1996. The graphics have improved, the cut scenes have become more cinematic, the character models have become more expressive, the plot has become more complex, and the voice acting has... well, pretty much stayed the same. But the series has also lost some of its freshness along the way. Resident Evil 4 did a lot to rebuild the series' credibility, combining the very best graphics that could be squeezed out of the Gamecube with a decent plot and pulse-pounding action.

So, here we are in 2009, and it's time for Resident Evil 5 - a game that's been several years in the making, laced with controversy and burdened by sky-high expectations. Does it live up to them?

Taking place in an unspecified African state, Resi 5 follows series stalwart Chris Redfield (now looking like he pours steroids instead of milk over his cornflakes in the morning) as he's sent in to investigate a potential bioweapon outbreak. Needless to say, it's not long before things go wrong, and he's soon fighting off hordes of angry villagers and mutated bioweapons as he tries to uncover the truth of what's going on.

Astute readers will notice I never used the word `zombie' anywhere in there, which brings me to my first gripe about this game (don't worry, there's plenty more to come). I sort of understand Capcom's reasoning for making their enemies more intelligent and hence, more threatening. Resi 4 began this process with the Ganados - semi-intelligent villagers infected with parasites that make them highly susceptible to suggestion, capable of using simple weapons, and therefore effective killing machines. The problem is that zombies are at the core of what Resident Evil is supposed to be about, and removing them is a bit like having a strip club where none of the women actually take their clothes off. It's just not right.

And this pretty much sums up Resident Evil 5 as a whole. It's dropped so many elements from the original that the two games have virtually nothing in common now apart from their titles. Gone is the puzzle solving (apart from a few rudimentary switch-flicking affairs), gone is the exploration and the excitement of unlocking new areas, gone are the tough choices between carrying weapons and key items, and gone is the subtle tension of finding out what lies beyond the next corner. Instead, what we're left with is a highly linear third person shooter with unsatisfying controls, uninspired boss fights and frustrating gameplay mechanics.

Oh yeah, and you've brought a friend along for the ride.

I've always been against the concept of a partner in the Resident Evil games, for all the reasons I highlighted in my Resident Evil Zero review - it kills the tension, it serves no purpose from a dramatic point of view, and it frustrates more than it helps. Not content with making this mistake once already, Capcom set out to do it again in Resi 5. Sheva Alomar is a BSAA agent sent to help you, and forms your backup for the majority of the game.

This sounds like a great idea, which is only hampered by the fact that she's a complete idiot. Her AI often prompts her to target distant enemies, ignoring the mutant dog that's busy chewing her leg off. She also seems to feel so attached to you that she insists on standing DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF YOU during every battle, lending new meaning to the expression `friendly fire'. Lastly, she's incapable of prioritising her weapon use, meaning she'll happily blast away at super-tough bosses with her trusty pistol, despite having an arsenal of grenade launchers and assault rifles at her disposal.

But Sheva's not the only character to annoy. Chris' long-time partner Jill Valentine pops up for about five minutes, only to wander off again with a vague "You're the only one who can stop him" explanation. Really, Jill? Maybe you could increase my odds of stopping `him' by - oh, I don't know - helping me out? Considering I just saved your life and everything? No?

Perennial baddy Albert Wesker also makes an appearance, this time serving as the game's primary antagonist after years of lurking in the shadows. It's a welcome addition, since everyone knows he's pretty much the best villain of the series, and yet it seems like something's missing. He doesn't seem cool or menacing anymore - he's become a pantomime villain.

The inventory system is another big gripe for me. Resi 4's briefcase, while far from perfect, was at least a decent stab at creating a realistic depiction of a character's carrying space. Resi 5 completely abandons this system, instead relying on the simple grid system from the first game. So once again we're left with the ridiculous situation of a herb taking up exactly the same amount of space as a rocket propelled grenade launcher.

I really wanted to like this game, but it just keeps turning me away. The story is lacklustre, simplistic and uninvolving. By the end, I had no more of a clue what was going on than I did at the start, and felt cheated an unsatisfied. Like a bad sexual experience, Resident Evil 5 always feels like its building up to something great, but never quite gets there.

The characters are bland and wishy-washy. And worse, they never have any time to interact with each other. Sheva has the potential to be interesting, but we're never given much insight into her character. Chris, likewise, remains stoically silent throughout most of the game, squandering golden opportunities to use what he learned in previous adventures to his advantage.

Overall then, Resident Evil 5 failed to light my fire. It displays the occasional flash of brilliance, but nowhere near enough to live up to its predecessors.