Resident Evil 5 Review (OXCGN) : Heavy Action. Light Horror.

From OXCGN:

"The long wait is finally over and Resident Evil 5 is finally out around the globe! But has Capcom's latest entry in their popular horror franchise lived up to its huge hype or is the undead series mutating too much from its origins to be true survival horror fun?

Essentially while it's hard to identify the game's genre as 'survival horror' anymore, Resident Evil 5 certainly does tell a great story and gives the player hours of great action gameplay. Maybe 'survival action' would be a better description now."

Detailed review after the jump:

[gaminoz]

I can't wait to start on this one...RE4 was one of my all time favourite games. Now I just need time!

I know it is more action-oriented and I do miss the old style, but I like both. Maybe they can do a retro version next as it is a different genre now. Then again, if it takes as long as RE5 did to come out, then maybe not...

[XboxOZ360]

Not suree I agree with the Not so scary bit in the review . .

As when I was at a recent early media hands-on, even several of the IGN guys were jumping out of their seats from the scares they were encountering.

I'm looking forward to just popping this into the 360 and settling back for a few days and playing it.

I'm not one of the types that sees just how fast I can through a game. I personally like to do this thing called "enjoy" them . . not sure if everyone remembers that - or not. But it seems like a lost art in gaming these days.

[gaminoz]

Me too...when I rush a game I feel like I've missed out on the exploration. With graphics as good as they are these days I like exploring.

[IrishAssa]

hasn't been scary for me yet, make sure you play on co-op and hardest difficulty , it's really tense and fun, controls are simple,

[Superfragilistic]

Is it as hard as 4, or with the action style is 5 much easier?

I'm currently replaying Res 4 and the original on my Cube and damn they're tough games. Although I haven't found 4 scary either. whats the deal?

Bubbles for replies. :)

[ThanatosDMC]

Compared to RE4, it seems the storyline or plot progression is really fast. It bothers me why doesnt Sheva freak out when she saw all these monstrosities... I mean, wtf?! I understand Chris but her being new and not freaking out is completely BS. It's like "oh, i've encountered $hit like this before..."

Also, they dont let you explore the map sometimes. Anyone remember the demo map in which there's that sub boss axe wielding guy? Yeah, in the actual game, if you dont search each item hiding spots (fruits, barrels, etc.) after the cinematics of Kirk or whoever uses the rpg to destroy the gate, then you can grab any more of the items. They magically disappear.

[Godem]

agreed, I think capcom should do whichever is quicker, i want RE6 now! lol...

that being said, I do think the original 'classic' titles are superior.. and I really miss the fantastic puzzles and the gorgeous pre rendered backgrounds etc from the gamecube remakes.

Great review, laid the facts out well.

[Immortal Kaim]

I agree. Though some people the 'classic' style is outdated, I prefer the puzzles and horror elements of the old games :)

Good review though.

[Godem]

it certainly is not outdated. I love puzzle games! I know many others do too.

[GamerPS360]

It's not scary horror. Played 3 round already. But it is dang good action game and I am loving it. I probly make over 10 rounds.

[darkmurder]

Truly amazing game, 9.5 out of 10 from me.

[XboxOZ360]

I personally think many gamers are desensitized to what we term as "horror" or Horror Survival . . .

I was in a room with around 10 other media guys playing this a few weeks ago, final code delivered from Capcom for just 4 days use, then had to be returned to their offices in Japan.

Every media guy there was surprised, thrilled, scared and a few times even jumped and the old F-word popping out here and there, so was shocked and startled . . All the things that one would associate with being scared.

Are we so desensitized that it's too hard to even admit some things mught just give us the chills. It's as if these days it's not cool to say one gets a scare from a game, it's better to say they are all sucky and nothing scares you etc.

Drop one of those Older games in right now on the High def player, or even the old retro game player, see if the scare-factor is the same as you once remembered it.

I know I dropped a game in the other day that I thought was bloody scary, only to find it mildly scary compared to many of the games these days.

I've played these games to non gamers and they are literally scared silly and get all sweaty and ask "how the heck do you play these things . . . can we play something calmer before heading to bed - please?!"

SO basically the gamer has become desensitized to the point of not feeling anything, not enjoying games that have taken 36 yrs to build, and all they want to do is pull them apart, rather than compliment them (Dev) on what they HAVE done.

I'd hate to be a developer (different to a publisher rememeber) in these times. No one ever seems to say, "Wow, thanks heaps, brilliant game . . looking forward to the next one"

[Godem]

sure i get chills when i play the game.... But nothing that makes me want to stop playing... nothing that makes me jump out of my seat and squeal....

I think a creepy atmosphere is completely different to jump out of your seat horror.

[Keowrath]

The game should be relabeled Action Horror. It's still horrific, and there are quite a few jumpy events that I've experienced so far but I'm still fairly early in the game. Yes it has moved away from it's original roots but it's not the first RE title to do so. If you played 4 and enjoyed it, I see no reason whatsoever why you wouldn't enjoy this one.

The controls are not an issue once you get used to them. As somebody playing Dead Space and RE5 at the same time, they are both awesome games. DS is a survival horror (although lack of ammo isn't a problem in DS) it's creepy, it's jumpy and incredibly atmospheric. RE5 is an action horror, it's scary (at times) it's intense and also brings a feeling of dread when you've got "zombies" attacking from all angles and a chainsaw wielding maniac running at you wanting to wear your head as a trophy!

Can't say I really miss the puzzles from the previous games I just like the feeling of insumountable odds and being able to crawl out the other side victorious... I wish I was at home playing it right now! =p

Oh yeah... And Chris has a funny shaped head =/

[Hooby]

RE4 was scarier than 5. The in the woods with the fog with creepy monks in a castle setting is inherently scarier. None of the mosters were particularly scary...just hard to kill. The bit in the dungeons witht he invisible bugs was nerve wracking, as was the garden maze in 4. In 5, there is nothing that scary, there are no enemies popping out behind you, etc. The lickers were...eh...they didn't scare me for some reason.

I think the "scare" in this game is more of being overwhelmed. Pressure from all sides, etc.

Though I learned from RE4 that scariness is inversely proportional to how many shotgun shells you have.

[JokesOnYou]

"Though I learned from RE4 that scariness is inversely proportional to how many shotgun shells you have."

-lmfao, so true...my first time through I was scared out of my seat, the 2nd time when I had infinite grenade launcher ammo I think it was, hell yeah I went back for REVENGE....like, "Bring it on mofo's its payback time!

JOY

[Obama]

It's not scary at all...but like the article indicates it has great action though.

[Skizelli]

Finally, a review that makes light of the story. It seems that most critics fail to mention if it's any good or not, mostly focusing on its graphics, lack of horror, controversial control or Sheva AI. Has anyone ever considered that maybe it's light on the horror and heavy on the action this time around because, like any great story, it ends with a major climax? If you're a fan of the RE plot, it has all come down to this.

[Hooby]

Indeed, it...uh...ties up some major stuff.

[Steelspawn]

I am hanging out to play this one but I want to get R4 before giving this one a go (in case of story spoilers etc)

[XboxOZ360]

Then why play it, if you have played it that is . .probably not, or if you have, you've probably only given it 10 mins and then dumped the game.

More fool you.

[REALgamer]

I've put off getting RE5 because I found the demo to be quite boring, but it's gotten so many positive reviews I'll give it a chance.

Great review, OXCGN!

[REALgamer]

And really liking it!

So anyone put off by the demo like I was, give the final game a chance.

Also, it's gotta be said: the graphics are incredible, amazing work Capcom especially considering it's built on the MT Framework 1 and still one of the most visually impressive games of this generation, while the upcoming Lost Planet 2 will use the MT Framework 2!

Clearly developers are still finding more ways to pump out beautiful sights. Sitting current games next to launch titles for the 360 and PS3 you'd think they were running on different hardware!