Resident Evil 5

Playstation: The Official Magazine (US)

Perhaps Resident Evil 5's most remarkable achievement is how it deftly straddles the line between the franchise's sometimes endearing, sometimes frustrating, legacy gameplay mechanics while incorporating more contemporary action adventure elements like enhanced interaction and exploration of environments and a decidedly more shooter-like control scheme. [Mar 2009, p.38]

Giant Bomb

I played it start to finish in three sittings, have played it extensively in other capacities while working on this review, and still can't wait to go back and play through it again cooperatively on higher difficulties to open up more of its goodies. If that's not the definition of a fine action game, I don't know what is.

ZTGameDomain

The co-op implementation is great and the extra unlockable provides more than enough incentive to play the game through multiple times. If the controls don't bother you, anybody can have a great time playing through this adventure.

Gamers' Temple

Resident Evil 5 digs deep into the series' origins with its overall story and slightly enhances the overall addicting gameplay that left its mark with Resident Evil 4

Game Informer

Co-op changes your approach to survival horror, and the masterful pacing ensures you never take your eye off the action. Like its predecessor, Resident Evil 5 is destined to be remembered as one of the best games of its time.

InsideGamer.nl

Resident Evil 5 is like an expensive diamond. The outside is polished well and the inside is strong enough to go through iron. The graphics of the gameplay and the cinematics are beautiful and full of detail. We can understand the criticism of the controls, but you can easily get used to it. The co-op is an exciting feature and when you are without a friend it turns out that Sheva is a great companion. Resident Evil 5 doesn’t revolutionize the series, but it is still a fantastic game to play.

SpazioGames

Resident Evil 5 carries on the same action path started with its predecessor. The main innovation is of course co-op mode, which delivers good fun if played online, but due to glitches in the friendly A.I., spoils the single player experience. Die hard fans will be happy to know that the story goes deep, and it's well connected with the last chapters of the series. Graphics and sound are simply stunning. If you miss the old survival horror genre you will surely be disappointed, but Resident Evil 5 is still a great action game, especially if enjoyed all the way through with a friend.

HellBored

Just remember: when possible, aim for the head (if it has one); don’t be afraid to run like a little girl; and this being a Resident Evil game, expect everything living to mutate horribly with the expressed purpose of using your internal organs as a hat. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Gaming Age

If you have a friend to play along with, then that's obviously the way to go, but don't let the thought of playing with the AI deter you from picking this up. It's a great game, and well worth your time.

NZGamer

Resident Evil 5 offers some great level designs as well.

Vandal Online

The setting change works well, and the story will please series followers, with surprises and comebacks which will thrill Resident Evil fans. Resident Evil 5 offers a quality experience, despite some incongruities - all of them can be overlood -, which will engage us in front of the TV for hours, thanks to its gameplay and its high doses of action, tension and fun.

Cynamite

Lots of action and stunning visuals, but fans of the earlier RE episodes could be disappointed by the lack of goose-bump moments.

Games Radar (in-house)

Resident Evil 4 taught the industry so much, and in turn we expected RE5 to at least learn from what others have since added to those accomplishments. Instead, it jams the series full of gasoline-enriched testosterone, keeps outdated inventory and control ideas and refuses to admit the franchise is now more action-adventure than survival horror. Don’t let the negatives fool you though – it’s still one of the best balls-to-the-wall co-op excursions you can buy.

Thunderbolt

It’s one of the best looking games on the market, has impeccable presentation and wonderfully campy voice acting (this time, intentionally), a strong plot that brings back a handful of classic characters and, most of all, it’s just plain fun. Whether it’s padding slowly down a dim concrete hallway, complete with flickering florescent lights and ominous blood-splattered walls, or running from a horde of crazed, zombie villagers, Resident Evil 5 delivers a truly engrossing survival horror experience.

GamePro

Hardcore fans may be disappointed by the departure from the traditional survival-horror roots but trust me, the game delivers enough thrills that you probably won't care. [Apr 2009, p.68]

IGN

The creepy suspense of the earlier games has been replaced with an action-packed intensity that will instantly appeal to some gamers and disappoint others. As an action game, RE5 is a success, and there’s a wealth of replayability through item collection, weapon upgrades, score chasing and the unlockable Mercenaries mode. But this is no gentle nudge to the formula of the previous main RE games; it’s an evolution.

IGN UK

While it's occasionally hampered by outdated controls and problematic AI, it's the near-mandatory co-op and bombastic assault of visceral silliness that earns Resident Evil 5 its stripes. Sure, it might just be a shinier, snazzier retread of Resi 4 - and certainly, it lacks its forerunner's impressive sense of invention - but this is still big, dumb Grade A entertainment.

VideoGamer

With a whole heap of content to unlock, including the brilliant Mercenaries mode (playable cooperatively off and online), a campaign that begs to be replayed and top of the line production values there's very little to be disappointed with.

GameSpy

It's hardly the dramatic revamp that RE4 was for the series, but it marks the first time that co-op play has been implemented. As a result, the overhaul makes it a good single-player game, but a great multiplayer one. Thanks to its persistent approach to weapon upgrades, it's well-suited to replay. It's a visually splendid game with gorgeous cinematics that evoke the same awe as previous games did in their time.

GameTrailers

You'll get a lot more out of it than you do from typical games with no competitive multiplayer and while played cooperatively it really sings. It's lost a lot of what has made the franchise a pins-and-needles experience, but that sense of dread has been replaced with pure action that's hard to match.

Gameplayer

It may be a different beast, but it’s still a whole lot of fun. Resident Evil still has the chops to rock our world. However, if Capom do decide to continue down this action-packed path they’ve begun, they’d better get their sh.t together when it comes to “run ‘n gun” gameplay mechanics.

Gamers.at

Missing out on Capcom's extraordinary fifth part of the Biohazard series would be a crime. Brilliant presentation, adrenaline pumping action and zombies everywhere. RE5 is worth every last of your hard-earned pennies.

Playstation Official Magazine Australia

A grand, bloody, epic adventure. [Apr 2009, p.66]

Hardcore Gamer Magazine

While not a groundbreaking game like its predecessor Resident Evil 5 offers up one of the most fun co-op experiences to date. Any fan of the RE franchise or action games in general will find a lot of enjoyment in RE 5.

games(TM)

The majority of criticisms will be leveled at the new co-op element, but as we’ve already mentioned, neither control nor AI can ultimately mar such an intense and relentless action experience. [Apr 2009, p.98]

Kombo

It's not refined enough as an action game to contend with the likes of Gears of War, it's been usurped in the survival horror category by the stellar Dead Space, and it's such a deviation from the franchise's foundation that it's almost certain to alienate a large contingent of diehard fans.

Gamer's Hell

Despite its outdated control scheme, its ambiguity of being either survival game or action thriller, and the abandonment of all things scary, Resident Evil 4's true sequel is a completely satisfying experience.

GamingTrend

If you can handle another round of not being able to move and fire/reload, there is a compelling game in Resident Evil 5.

GamingExcellence

I personally found Resident Evil 5 to be a great addition to a beloved franchise that has been going on for nearly fifteen years, even if it doesn’t represent the series’ finest hour.

Gamervision

The cooperative gameplay might not be what some expected or anticipated, but it’s hard to deny that it adds something unique to the series. The fear is gone. Entirely.

Worth Playing

Altogether, I came away from Resident Evil 5 feeling pretty impressed, and while the change isn't nearly as radical as it was when Resident Evil 4 was released, it's still a really solid follow-up that keeps everything that worked from the previous title.

DarkStation

Fans rejoice because not only is Resident Evil back, but now you not only can enjoy it on your own but with your friend as well. The new cooperative gameplay works quite well, and if your a fan of the franchise it just make sense to go out and buy this one as well.

GameZone

Resident Evil 5 lands on the PS3 with a new focus on action and co-op gameplay.

Pelit (Finland)

A technically flawless, movie-like episode of the famous survival horror series, although this time the focus is on action and not survival or even horror. The game's representation of Africa and its inhabitants seems to be from the Colonial era and is therefore somewhat disturbing, detracting from the overall enjoyment. [Mar 2009]

Game Over Online

All in all, the game is a total blast and thoroughly enjoyable, with a frenetic pacing that doesn’t let up for the entire run of the game.

XGN

Resident Evil 5 is a beautiful game with a super good co-op. The singleplayer is not as good as other games in the franchise and the real fans will miss the survival horror, which has been replaced by a lot of action.

Gamer 2.0

It’s the crux of the gameplay that matters and Resident Evil 5 has chosen a path more brazen, more gung-ho than we imagined. The co-op campaign makes inviting a friend over for a double dose of zombie-extermination possible, and while this should get old, it doesn’t.

3DJuegos

Resident Evil 5 is “only” an amazing game, a label that 90% of the third person shooters would want for themselves. The cooperative mode is just sensational and the story mode is filled with non-stop action. The huge amount of contents will make you forget the lack of any kind of innovation in its concept.

IGN AU

This review has been quite negative but that’s unavoidable when you’re discussing a good game that follows on from an incredible one.

Play UK

Due to the arguably archaic control scheme and the co-op aspect, Resi 5 isn’t for everybody. Then again, we love it, and we’ve been playing Resident Evil for over a decade; if you’re one of us, then Resident Evil 5 will suit you perfectly.

PSM3 Magazine UK

Controls feel stubborn post-"Dead Space", but it's still superb as ever. [Apr 2009, p.58]

Destructoid

It’s not going to revolutionize videogames and is definitely not a huge step forward in the series, but it contains some of the coolest set pieces and most incredible boss fights I have ever seen in my entire life. And that makes me very happy.

Playstation Universe

Resident Evil 5 is an incredibly satisfying, non-stop action romp from start to finish. An essential purchase for fans and newcomers alike.

GamerNode

Despite shortcomings and trying to fit into impossibly large shoes, RE5 is an undeniably enjoyable game, especially with a friend. RE's age of survival horror is sadly laid to rest, but the 3rd-person action taking its place is still worth playing.

GameSpot

Though the slow, deliberate movement and shooting may not appeal to everyone, this new sequel’s frequent large-scale battles and co-op play still offer a fun and exciting adventure.

MEGamers

Brings nothing new to the table but does old things well.

PALGN

Despite not changing much from its popular predecessor, Resident Evil 5 is still an incredibly entertaining, very immersive and intense action title. A solid debut for the franchise on the current generation.

Gameplanet

It manages to stay feeling fresh and thrilling all the way through to the final battle, and it looks absolutely incredible. The story is mostly well paced and told with cinematics of extremely high production value. While the co-op is not exactly game changing, it is a very welcome addition to the series and the game is definitely a lot more fun when played this way.

Game Revolution

If Resident Evil 5 is a new flavor of game for the long-running franchise, it's also a strong, spicy one—with occasional chucks of co-op wasabi to goad your inner action hero into fits of running and gunning... albeit, not at the same time.

Cheat Code Central

A very fun game that pays fan service to the faithful through its engaging, answer-filled story, and it modernizes the series through an amazing, cinematic presentation. Where the game seems to get bogged down is in its attempt to appeal to everyone. The hybridization of survival horror mechanics with action-shooter gameplay doesn't work out very well - making it suffer from the jack-of-all-trades syndrome.

GameDaily

While the developers' decision to copy elements from Resident Evil 4 make it feel less original (despite better visuals and a new location), you'll have a blast (especially with a buddy) but after waiting four years for a sequel, we expected better.

TotalPlayStation

Simply put, this isn't a Resident Evil game as the series has built it up. It's an action game and almost nothing else.

Kikizo

With its fixed inventories, imposing but predictable level and boss design, and occasionally wooden controls, this tweaked, tropical, co-operative remix of Resident Evil 4 is a game you'll either love or hate. We choose the former.

Playstation Official Magazine UK

In too many ways this is identical to the last game. That's not necessarily a bad thing - "RE4" is one of the greatest games ever made because it rewrote the rules for action games, setting a template for everything from "Dead Space" to "Dark Sector." Because of that this is still a damn near essential purchase. It's just a shame that the lack of evolution means it occasionally feels like it's lagging behind the very competitors it inspired. [Mar 2009, p.80]

Total Video Games

The sheer emphasis on action, coupled with the dated gameplay mechanics and inability to show any advance beyond the Resident Evil 4 blueprint is possible to overlook if you're happy with state-of-the-art visuals and zombie slaying.

DarkZero

It is a great game, one that is a faithful update to a game that only four years ago attained universal acclaim, but in that time, things have changed and, for better and for worse, Resident Evil 5 has only made baby steps when compared to the giant leaps that its predecessor made, and because of this, won’t be getting near that perfect 10. The issues with A.I and the controls will put off some of the more fickle gamers, but for those of you who part with their £40, like an A.I controlled Sheva to a horde of zombies, you’ll find plenty here to get your teeth into – fans and newcomers alike.

PS3bloggen.se

Capcom's latest adventure focuses more on action than on horror and puzzle solving, but still manages to retain the classic Resident Evil feel. Some elements are baffling, such as the African setting and the fact that you have to stand still during battles and can't purchase ammunition, but overall this is a well-made game that deserves to be played. A bit more innovation wouldn't have hurt though.

Computer Games Online RO

Fans are probably loving it, and also completed it several times on all difficulty levels in order to find all its, but for me, Resident Evil 5 is just a 3rd person action game that could have done more.

Game Positive

From start to finish, RE5 is a shorter, sloppier take on RE4, but winds up being a lot of fun regardless.

PSX Extreme

Ultimately, if you're looking for a shooter similar to Gears of War, you'll find yourself sorely disappointed with Resident Evil 5. Despite people claiming that the control scheme makes for a more tense and frightening experience, I find that it only made for a more frustrating, limited, and redundant experience. I dislike gameplay mechanics being forced onto the gamer, and so I found myself disagreeing with Resident Evil 5's gameplay.

1UP

Ultimately, Resident Evil 5 shouldn't be looked at as a failure in the series, merely too ambitious, inconsistent and uneven. Earlier entries in the series benefited from their simplicity and focus, and while it's laudable for RE5 to try and include so much variety, perhaps a little more of the same ol' same ol' would have resulted in a slightly better game.

BigPond GameArena

The teammate AI is painfully bad and it will go down as one of the biggest mistakes in video gaming history. To take you back to the painful train analogy from before, Resident Evil 5 is a train where the engineer is retarded and steals all your god damned ammo. Replace that engineer with a human and you'll have fun with the game.

GameShark

It’s still an enjoyable experience, but multiplayer is the absolute reason to pick up RE5. It’s the feature that we’ve been wishing for since day one (Outbreak didn’t count), and Capcom delivers a fine show.

Computer and Video Games

It's like Capcom was undecided in what it wanted RE5 to be. It breaks many of the series' traditions, yet tries to hold onto elements of its heritage that are either dated or don't fit with the style.

Edge Magazine

Resident Evil 5 is a good game. The surprising, and sad, thing about Resident Evil 5 is that it feels old. [Apr 2009, p.112]

Teletext GameCentral

An unsatisfying facsimile of Resident Evil 4 with none of the style or excitement, just more bugbears.

Gamer.nl

Resident Evil 5 starts with bang. An original setting and zombies that are just waiting to get shot are a perfect start. But a soon as your surroundings changes from a beautiful African landscape to dark and boring industrial complex, the gameplay turns a bit sour and transforms into a standard action game. An action game with the limitations of the horror genre. Resident Evil fans are probably dying to know how the story unfolds, but gamers with little knowledge of the previous games will find it nothing more than an average action game.

Absolute Games

To avoid the risks while working on an expensive next-gen sequel to Resident Evil 4, Capcom recycled the previous game. The developers moved the action from Spain to Africa, replaced Leon Kennedy with Chris Redfield, brought back Albert “Duke Nukem” Wesker as the main baddie, added co-op, and rested. Look past the pretty graphics, and you will see a shameless clone.

G4 TV

Resident Evil 5 is mired in poor design decisions that drag down the experience and render single-player campaign a tedious exercise in working around the game. It’s frustrating to see a game that I so looked forward to playing and carried with it such potential, sabotage itself in so many ways. Compared against the ambition of games like Bioshock, Mass Effect, and Assassin’s Creed; Resident Evil 5 seems timid, unwilling to move out of its comfort zone. It’s a shame.