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**Wanderer** · 02-24-2009, 08:38 PM

Empire online review 5/5
* This review was the first Re5 review ever, but was taken down due to an embargo on reviews of the game. Here is the original review.

Review

" In many ways, Resident Evil 5 feels like a ‘greatest hits’ spanning the series’ 13 years of terror. As well as marking the return of Chris Redfield – a key player in the first adventure back in 1996 – and featuring the playful balance of indoor and outdoor locations that characterised the PlayStation sequels, RE5 is also peppered with the genuinely distressing movie sequences that punctuated Code Veronica and team-based challenges that defined Outbreak, all wrapped in the glorious visuals and intuitive controls that helped reboot the franchise in Resident Evil 4. In short, for anyone who spent their formative console years up to their neck in zombie guts, man-eating moths and betentacled horrors, RE5 is a sublime joy.

Like its hallowed predecessor, RE5 plays fast and loose with the series’ conventions, shifting the action from the familiar streets of an American city to an African landscape of crumbling villages, barren countryside and twisting shanty towns, once again breathing new life into the familiar franchise. But while the new setting is a major departure for the series – and has been a heated source of banter on fan forums – what sets this adventure apart from its forebears is its double-headed action.

While alternative characters have always been a part of Resident Evil, RE5 goes a step further by having a computer-controlled companion by your side at all times, in turn bringing new possibilities to the action; as well as lending a helping hand during gun battles – and being a constant source of frustration when you have to step in and save your partner from being eaten alive – the addition of a second character allows for new co-operative moves and two-person challenges, whether it be giving your friend a leg-up to climb over walls, keeping zombies at bay while your accomplice barricades open doors, or picking off distant enemies with a sniper rifle as your companion uses a handgun to perforate nearby monsters.

But while the new co-op gameplay is fun while playing alone – and your computer-controlled companion does a reasonable job of looking after herself while you get on with the important business of monster mashing – where the dual gameplay really comes into its own is online, allowing a second player to remotely join the adventure and share the horror. And like a George A Romero zombie flick where the human drama of survivors working together to overcome overwhelming odds is just as important as the shocks and gore, having a living partner by your side makes for a much more gripping experience, forcing players to look after each other and watch each other’s back, rather than being solely driven by a greedy sense of self-preservation.

Aside from its two-headed set-up, RE5 is largely business as usual, with puzzle solving, tense combat and ammunition preservation forming the backbone of the action. Destructible environments that allow enemies to smash through walls, smarter monsters who’ll use flanking techniques to corner you and tighter camera angles that add a fresh sense of claustrophobia go a long way freshening the experience, but RE5’s greatest triumph is taking a beloved franchise and polishing it to within an inch of its life, in turn producing 2009’s first killer game and a title that will delight habitual gorehounds and newcomers alike. "

Reviewer: David McComb

**Wanderer** · 02-24-2009, 08:44 PM

Germany gamepro Review 93/100 single player- 100/100 co-op
* Best action game ever made according to them*

Oh, and by the way, i have a site where tehre are scans ,but being computer illiterate, i am none the wiser as to how i would pst them, let alone cover them in spoiler wrap, if anyone could help, that would be much appreciated.

Here are a few details spoilers or even close to spoilers are wrapped

- It is all about the Spoiler:

- Resident Evil 5 changes locations more often than Resident Evil 4 and the pace moves on immensly, especially after the first 10 minutes.
- The game is about 18 hours long.
- There's no location that is as big as the castle area in Resident Evil 4.
- The game is divided in 6 big chapters, each of them again divided into 3-4 areas.
- After the Spoiler:

- GamePro counted Spoiler:

- The emphasis is clearly on Co-Op. When a character is investigating something alone it usually deals with finding a key or moving something. GamePro says that these are the most intriguing situations as you wish your partner would be with you and help you fight the hordes of enemies.
- A few classic enemies are indeed in Resident Evil 5 Spoiler:

- GamePro found the fights with Spoiler:

very cool. They are absolutely dramatic and stunning.
- The visuals and audio are top notch.
- The PS3 version suffers a few glitches here and there, but they are not heavy.
- Resident Evil is gone, long live Resident Evil.
- They describe the game as an extremely entertaining, quick Tour de France with less horror.
- The overall review score is 93% for both PS3 and Xbox360 versions. Added to the PS3 graphics score was a note that the PS3 version suffers minor issues. GamePro's usual, separate multiplayer score for the game is 10/10.

- After completion of the game Spoiler:

among other things become available.
-GamePro has made it very clear that this is not Survival Horror, instead labeled it "Terror-Action-Game" or just "Action-Game"

Video review of the german magazine can be found here ( spoilers of course) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbxGXwJFkw0

**Wanderer** · 02-24-2009, 08:56 PM

OXM review 9/10

Positivies:
+An action spectacular with terriffic production values
+Excellent co-op game
+ Huge variety of environments

Negatives
-Item management and control issues

Intriguing spoiler
? Spoiler:

"live/multiplayer: 2 in co-op and a secret unlockable mode"
"15-20 hours of playtime"
"16 levels"
" levels including Spoiler:

"two weeks after we finished the game. what's stuck in our minds isn't that (unlockable) Spoiler:

, or even the control or inventory bugaboos. it's the moments. with its powerhouse presentation and slam-bam co-op play, resident evil 5 is chock full of memorable gameplay experiences"
"for those new to the series, resident evil 5 may not be what you expect. it's neither scary not survival horror, and though its story throws plenty of love to longtime fans, you don't need to be one to enjoy it. ultimately it's an action feast for two - with just a little gristle amid all the delicious blood, bone and brains"
Enemies including Spoiler:

The protagonists are surprisingly interesting and surprisnigly human
In chapter 3-1 dont miss the Spoiler:

In the last battle Spoiler:

**Wanderer** · 02-24-2009, 09:28 PM

PSXextreme 9-/10 ( as in 9 minus)

Scans revealing spoilers , as well as more info can be found here http://eg365.net/Forum/index.php?act...e;topic=2150.0

- Outside of co-op, it's basically RE4 HD.
- Story info: The game explains how Spoiler:

, describes events that happened even before RE0 and sheds new light on a few things. Spoiler:

ent.
- The destructability of the environment has been somewhat improved but it's still limited to what the designers allow us to destroy.
- Sheva's AI is pretty good: she moves away from our line of fire, provides help when needed, pick up ammo and herbs that the player misses and so on.
- Co-op is fantastic and he really likes that a second player can join in at any given moment (though if a person does join us we are automatically brought back to the last activated checkpoint)
- There's no Spoiler:

. On that note, you're always short on cash because there's a plethora of weapons to buy/ upgrade. (about the Upgrade system: you upgrade the Firepower, Reload Speed, Capacity and Critical Hit %)
- He says that the biggest "issue" in the game is the control system. It's a like it or leave it relationship. He, himself, states that at first he had a negative approach to this archaic control scheme but now he understands that it was a conscious design decision. This control scheme lets the enemies get the drop on us and makes the game more challenging.
- The Spoiler:

- He mentions that he wishes this game would have more trickier to take down foes like the Regenerators in RE4.
- The boss fights are a bit worse than in RE4.
- The says that the villige looks phenomenal (especially durning the day) but it goes downhill from there. Spoiler:

lack finesse, however, the latter can mesmerize you with its lightining effects and excellent texture work.
- The "Spoiler:

- The game looks a bit better on the Xbox360 but those are minute details which likely most people won't even notice.
- The character models are top notch.
- The characters themselves are rather bland personality-wise. The dialogues in the game are rather mediocre, however, the voice acting is fine.
- The story as a whole is rather bland, predictable and unispired but RE fans will be satisfied with it.
- It took him 12 hours to complete the game but he immediately returned to it because of the plentiful bonuses and unlockables.

Some side notes:
- Monsters from Spoiler:

- They were forbidded by CAPCOM to write about a Spoiler:

, certain locations in the game, print screenshots from the final chapter of the game or those showcasing QTEs.

**Wanderer** · 02-24-2009, 09:46 PM

OXM Australia review 8/10

- On the whole not many positive things to say about the game
- "one of the reasons we awarded the high score was due to to the impressive visuals"
- RE4 in HD
- Xbox World were correct...OXM AU say it can be completed in around 10 hours
- They were not impressed with Sheva's A.I
- "One of the most disappointing titles of 09"
- Did not reveal any unlockables but said they will significantly increase play time
- Did not like the inventory system
- the lats quarter of the game features aSpoiler:

XBOX world Review 81/100

"Resident Evil 5 is to Resident Evil 4 what Call of Duty: World of War is to Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare: an imitation whose successes are predominantly ideas lifted straight from the previous game. Seven hours, thirty six minutes and one second - our original completion time - worth of recycled material and familiar set-pieces, along with a handful of experimental deviations from the usual formula. Seven hours, thirty six minutes and one second. Yeah, we winced too. Feel free to add an hour's worth of cut-scene footage to that total (although subtract around thirty minutes' worth of repeated deaths during the end boss thanks to some 'creative' design while you're at it), but the result still makes for grim reading. Small games may be 'in' right now, but next to Resi 4's massive offering it's bitterly brief. What is squeezed into that timeframe is therefore doubly crucial..."

As well, heres the author defending his review time http://www.computerandvideogames.com....php?id=208807

OPM UK Re 5 review 8/10

**Wanderer** · 02-24-2009, 09:57 PM

OPM NA review 5/5

"RE5 isn’t about solitary frights in the dark anymore. It’s about hyper-intense, adrenaline-fueled, partner-focused action. "

"It takes the co-op experience to a new level and reinvigorates the survival horror genre. "

"While Resident evil 5 still resists conversion to a pure shooter mechanism, you can now strafe, and while panning with your weapon isn’t exactly fast, it’s no longer insufferably slow. "

"Some control peculiarities (from RE4) do remain (in RE5) such as the inability to walk or run while firing your weapon. "

"The overall effect of the new control refinements is a smoother, less frustrating play experience without the robotic movements that have been a hallmark of the series for most of its existence. But if you’re still resistant to change, there’s a wide latitude of control setup options that will let you tune in a good amount of the traditional Resident Evil control feel.”"

" The good news is that this game is that good"

" Variety is the spice of life,- and of Re5"

" Re 5 does a great job of mixing gameplay stles to create a sense of pacing that flows between high-octane shootouts to more subdued but eerie exploratory sequences. One moment youll be blasting and hacking away at a zombie mobs and face off against some seeminglt invincible mini-boss in the midst of town, or youll be systematcially exploring your way thrpugh the dark, claustrophobic confines of a mine or the labyrinthine ocrridors of some secret reserach complex..."

Review page 1: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11258223@N04/3245111465/
Review page 2: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11258223@N04/3245116607/
Review page 3: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11258223@N04/3245116635/
Review page 4: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11258223@N04/3245116669/
Review page 5: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11258223@N04/3245116711/
Review page 6: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11258223@N04/3245944778/
Review page 7: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11258223@N04/3245944800/

Full gallery can be viewd on link at first post for OPM NA review, slight spoilers are in the scans of course.

**LVL100 Merchant** · 02-24-2009, 10:03 PM

Some the comments about the game length worry me. Cool topic, although I think it all could have been condensed into one post.

**Wanderer** · 02-24-2009, 10:13 PM

I just though that it would be alrgith to have liek an episodic thing, each time a review comes out, we post it up, but ift he mods want it changed to one post, tahst alright with me, anyone feel free to put more info in, or to add in a review at any time as well.

The game length doesnt worry me, the peopel who rushed apprently did it in 7-10 hours, the other reviews said itll take you around 12-15 hours to complete, which is fine with me.

3 new reviews

1. Famitsu 10/10/9/9 =38/40 ( perfect scores from two reviewers, and two 9's from teh others)
- 20~25 hours play time
- The unlockables which you get for clearing the game are pretty good, probably have the best clear-game extras ever for a RE game
- No real evolution from Resident Evil 4
- Cooperative play is an important element

2. Famitsu xbox 10/9/9/9= 37/40
3. Dengeki ( Japanese game magazine) 85/85/85/85 =85

**missvalentine** · 02-25-2009, 05:10 AM

- The characters themselves are rather bland personality-wise. The dialogues in the game are rather mediocre, however, the voice acting is fine.
- The story as a whole is rather bland, predictable and unispired but RE fans will be satisfied with it.

WHAT!!??

you have to be kidding me? you mean the characters are bland and boring, so no new Chris? he's the same as before? and the story is boring as well? really? after all this hype about the story, it's bland predictable and uninspiring?

well then all our theorys are probably correct if it's predictable.

hopefully we don't get a repeat of RE4's story, please capcom NO!

**Darinl1979** · 02-25-2009, 05:48 AM

Originally posted by missvalentine View Post

WHAT!!??

you have to be kidding me? you mean the characters are bland and boring, so no new Chris? he's the same as before? and the story is boring as well? really? after all this hype about the story, it's bland predictable and uninspiring?

well then all our theorys are probably correct if it's predictable.

hopefully we don't get a repeat of RE4's story, please capcom NO!

Well I kind of expected that, as to someone whos not a fan of the series...certain things would seem dull and boring. I can already tell that I am going to find Chris annoying in the first half of the game, with his attitude and all. It probably wont pick up till Spoiler:

.

In addition, there really arent that many mysteries that probably wont be obvious once we start the game.

**missvalentine** · 02-25-2009, 05:56 AM

Originally posted by Darinl1979 View Post

Well I kind of expected that, as to someone whos not a fan of the series...certain things would seem dull and boring. I can already tell that I am going to find Chris annoying in the first half of the game, with his attitude and all. It probably wont pick up till Spoiler:

.

In addition, there really arent that many mysteries that probably wont be obvious once we start the game.

oh i can't belive this, those reviewers take RE4's story and praise that game like it's heaven on a disk. then RE5 comes out, and capcom has finally got the story back on track and they say it's bland. you know what i bet capcom listens to them, and every story after RE5 and onwards is just a repeat of RE4's.

and i really hope Chris is not boring and annoying again. and i kinda thought Re5 would be predictible anyway.

**BadWolfX** · 02-25-2009, 07:30 AM

MV, it's one review that has said that. One. Calm down

ETA: Has anyone noticed that, despite given high scores, how negative some of these reviews are?

**Darinl1979** · 02-25-2009, 07:37 AM

Originally posted by BadWolfX View Post

MV, it's one review that has said that. One. Calm down

ETA: Has anyone noticed that, despite given high scores, how negative some of these reviews are?

Yes but I am thankful for that, in a way. The fact that it is getting high scores is a good thing but no game will ever be perfect. Review like these give us some insight on the things that may be wrong. So far nothing really has been said bad that might hinder my enjoyment of the game.

RE: the length. For the most part, reviewers skip past cutscenes or at least thats what I am led to believe. The time that has been stated for how long the game takes doesn't really bother me, especially since I know I will be taking my sweet time my first playthrough.

**RetroRain** · 02-25-2009, 08:26 AM

I started playing Resident Evil 4 the other day to get ready for RE5. I'm up to the part where you meet the merchant for the first time, and I bought my items from him, organized my inventory, and saved the game. I plan on continuing the game later today.

I actually find the village parts of the game to be boring. My favorite parts of RE4 are when you are actually in the castle.

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