Resident Evil 5 (360)

The Undead Get Upgraded

As we saw a palpable evolution in Resident Evil's cast of enemies in the fourth game, Resident Evil 5 continues this trend. The enemies in the game are not unlike those of the previous game -- they too have a plague that can cause disgusting parasitic growths to burst forth from their flesh and whip you in the face. But the zombie-like foes in Resident Evil 5 are far more advanced than seen in previous games. This evolution can be witnessed early on in the game as their motor skills are developed to the point that they can ride around on dirt bikes.

The most shocking change made to your infected enemies occurs in the second half of the game, and it's something that has a particularly big impact on gameplay. Fully clad in military fatigues, your undead foes begin to carry assault rifles and other firearms, completely transforming the combat in the game from that point on. You no longer have time to carefully aim those headshots and are forced to engage in shootouts with your gun-wielding enemies, taking cover as much as possible a la Gears of War. This is a drastic change for the Resident Evil series and it's one that I have mixed feelings about. On the one hand, I like the fact that things were changed up quite a bit, but Resident Evil 5 more or less dumps the ominous tone and atmosphere the series is known for. The game lacks what made Resident Evil 4 so damn scary.

Resident Evil 5 (360)

Afraid of the Dark

But don't get me wrong -- the moments in Resident Evil 5 I enjoyed the most are these explosive Hollywood movie-esque scenarios. In one particularly memorable level, you jump onto the back of a truck and pump lead into swarms of infected enemies who chase you on dirt bikes and trucks. In another amazing sequence, you get to steer a fan boat around a murky swamp, avoiding the hungry mouths of mammoth-sized crocodiles. The action is also broken up nicely by Resident Evil's trademark puzzles; the many boss battles that are sprinkled throughout the game also offer a nice touch of variety. The game also keeps things fresh by introducing new enemy types periodically; you can't help but remember the first time you go up against a burly mini-gun lugging soldier or contend with a sack-headed cyclops wielding a chainsaw.

Flawed but Fun

Something that did bother me while playing through the game's campaign is the noticeable drop in energy when you get about halfway through the game. Just about everything you've seen in screenshots and videos from Resident Evil 5 that takes place in the sun-scorched African villages and the alligator-infested swamps are by far the most exciting and interesting moments in the game. Some of the later missions, however, come off as a bit generic and aren't as fun to play as ones experienced early on.

But after beating the game, I have no choice but to award the game a high score. Resident Evil 5 takes players in a refreshing all-new direction. It takes some risks and tries some new things. Hardcore fans may be disappointed by the departure from the traditional survival horror roots but trust me, the game delivers enough thrills that you won't notice.

PROS: Co-op mode rocks; jaw-dropping graphics; excellent action-oriented gameplay.
CONS: Emphasis on action over horror might turn off some fans; campaign loses steam towards the end.
Resident Evil 5 (360)
Resident Evil 5 (360)

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