Hands-on: Resident Evil 5

by Andrew Yoon { Jul 21st 2008 at 12:15PM }

Click for high-resolution image.

Remember how innovative the original Resident Evil game was? It essentially defined what the survival horror genre should be on consoles -- and in spite of its infamous "tank" controls and fixed pre-rendered camera angles, it become an instant-classic for PS1 fans everywhere. Resident Evil 2 was also a great game, but it simply added more of what fans came to love about the first game.

Resident Evil 5 is Resident Evil 4's immediate successor. When RE4 debuted on Gamecube last generation, it was praised for its innovative reimagining of the then-aging series. The series lost its fixed camera angles, and gained a behind-the-shoulder perspective to fight a horde of intelligent enemies. RE5 for PS3 is simply more of what we've come to expect from the new invisioning of the franchise.

Considering the accolades RE4 received when it debuted (considered by many to be the finest game of the last generation), continuing with the established formula shouldn't come as a surprise. With a new coat of (incredibly beautiful) paint, will RE5 garner as much praise as its PS2/GC predecessor?

Gallery: Resident Evil 5

The answer is sadly, no. While the core mechanics were fresh back in 2005, we doubt Leon Chris' tank-like controls will come as accepted, especially with the number of enemies that are on screen. The tactics we're able to employ from RE4 work just as well in RE5 -- a bit disappointing because it no longer feels surprising. We're able to simply run by enemies, shoot their kneecaps and go in for a melee blow. This process can be repeated over and over again. Considering my familiarity with RE4, RE5 came much too easily. Not once in the entire two-level demo did I get hit by an enemy.

That's not to say that everything is a carbon-copy of RE4. Your new partner is far more interesting and helpful than Ashley could ever hope to be. Seeing her capably work through the non-zombies is refreshing -- having her give you ammo when you're low is incredibly helpful. The graphics engine runs incredibly smoothly on the PS3, rendering dozens of detailed enemies at high resolution without a hitch in the framerate. The destructible environments and beautiful explosive and fire effects add to the immersion. One must also point out the fantastic sound design: the sounds of enemies crashing through windows as they circle around you easily brings out the goosebumps.

There isn't much in the demo that "wow"ed us, but it would be a downright lie to say we weren't excited for this game. While we're a bit disappointed at how familiar the experience was, the moody atmosphere and the still-visceral gameplay still has us excited. We're undoubtedly picking up RE5 when it releases next year, but we're not going to hope for any genre-redefining experiences.

Tags: e308, hands-on, joystiqfeatures, re5, resident-evil, resident-evil-5

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Chris @ Jul 21st 2008 12:22PM

Looks pretty wicked :D

saito ps3 @ Jul 21st 2008 12:27PM

cool, i was a bit scared at the fact that they didnt show the ps3 version of the game until i saw it when they demoed the ps3 version on g4tv, it looks great, i cant wait to get it

Popfrogs @ Jul 21st 2008 3:15PM

"until i saw it when they demoed the ps3 version on g4tv"

Wow, seriously? I thought that each time a PS3 game was shown on g4tv, Kevin was forced to drown puppies in boiling water at gunpoint.

StaticKevin @ Jul 21st 2008 6:55PM

Made me LOL.

But seriously, to bring back the LBP discussion, even Kevin of all people said he would get a PS3 for LBP!

e.Missark @ Jul 21st 2008 12:38PM

I like RE 5. I always see it listed under the 360 section of games (along with Fallout 3) but never under PS3 in a number of gaming sites. Its almost like as soon as a game goes multi it is officially a 360 game. The same happened with FF 13. It went multi and now it is a 360 game. ALL OF THESE GAMES ARE FOR THE PS3 TOO PEOPLE, and don't you forget it.

McBonk @ Jul 21st 2008 12:46PM

Sadly, I've noticed the same trend. Gamerankings, for example, often lists 360 titles ahead of PS3. Is that simply a reflection of the larger 360 user base?

Sony still has a lot of work to do...

frankym @ Jul 21st 2008 1:02PM

@ Andrew Yoon:

A bit disappointed that you say this game will not be groundbreaking. WE HAVE NOT EVEN SEEN THE ONLINE COOP YET....this will be groundbreaking. This game will probably be GOTY in 2009.

And it certainly will be better than Dead Space, a game which you constantly obsess about.

McBonk @ Jul 21st 2008 1:16PM

And you have seen more of both games than Andrew has?

paul @ Jul 21st 2008 1:24PM

Online coop isnt new and i really doubt this will be GOTY 2009 look at what else is out in 2009.InFamous, Prototype,FF13, Killzone 2, Dark Void, White Knight Story AND especially the next sequel to GOTY 2005 GoW III.

frankym @ Jul 21st 2008 1:28PM

@Mcbonk:

Did I say I had seen more of the game than Yoon had??

Didn't think so....learn to read and analyze.

McBonk @ Jul 21st 2008 2:48PM

@franky

Surely you jest...

"This game will probably be GOTY in 2009.

And it certainly will be better than Dead Space, a game which you constantly obsess about."

After reading your comments... an analysis leads one to believe:

A. You've played RE5 extensively (as well as many other titles upcoming in 2009)
B. You've extensive experience with Dead Space, and can thus take on Andrew Joon's informed opinion.

or

C. Your talking out of your ***.

hedpe @ Jul 21st 2008 1:05PM

from what they showed at e3, this looks really similar to re4. which i agree, is a bit of a disappointment. i don't know why i expected the gameplay to evolve.

Aaron @ Jul 21st 2008 1:08PM

There's just something about a nice looking lady brandishing a high powered rifle.

Ty @ Jul 21st 2008 1:16PM

2008 Summer and on, the season of lone gunners.

Parker @ Jul 21st 2008 1:27PM

Has the aiming/firing mechanics changed from the last game? I heard that it is the same but they were considering changing it.

Andrew Yoon @ Jul 21st 2008 1:57PM

They are exactly the same. However, accessing your guns doesn't pause the game like in RE4.

Zombie Huggles @ Jul 21st 2008 1:35PM

I hate the "fixed" over the shoulder cam. It makes moving around a bit annoying. I feel like one eye is closed the whole time. Will they actually allow one to switch shoulders this time like MGS4 and Uncharted? IF not, that's so last-gen.

I've been...or was a fan of RE since the original and enjoyed Outbreak. I can understand why new users wouldn't, but the graphics were amazing and the sensation of having to depend on one another to survive was intense. I'd really like to see a fully developed online RE game...with a few updates. Anyone else?

Patrick @ Jul 21st 2008 4:11PM

Why do all games have to be groundbreaking, revolutionary, triple-A, "wow, that's never been done before" titles? Just be grateful we're getting RE5. If it's to RE4 what RE2 was to the original, I'll be more than pleased.

ultima_omega @ Jul 21st 2008 3:50PM

Personally i dont mind if it plays like RE4. I don't feel the game needs another major change just yet. I am sure RE5 will be a great game if you dont play it expecting huge changes.

ogvor @ Jul 21st 2008 4:07PM

I liked Resident Evil 4 and if this is just a pretty, co-op version of a great game, what's not to get excited about? Their seems to be tons of excitement for Killzone 2 but when the previous game was less than stellar, what other than pretty graphics makes Killzone 2 a game worth looking forward too?

hedpe @ Jul 21st 2008 5:19PM

what the hell does killzone 2 have to do with RE5? not even in the same genre... and why is it such a big deal if someone is looking forward to killzone 2? are you telling me that games don't evolve and get better? many people say RE4 revived the series. whatever, i just don't get people like you who attack games with no real reasoning. if you want to know what other than the graphics, buy the game when it comes out and see for yourself.

ogvor @ Jul 21st 2008 11:30PM

My point was, why is it bad that RE5 is the same thing as RE4 (which I and many others liked) but when Killzone 2 comes along and is the sequel to a game that wasn't even that great, yet everyone is crazy for for apparently no reason except that it looks good. I'm simply pointing out what I see to be a double standard. It just seems to me like RE5 isn't good enough if it's similar to a great game. And I'm not saying Killzone 2 is good or bad, just that the developers haven't given me a reason with their track record for me to be excited, except for some incredible graphics.

tjydj @ Jul 21st 2008 6:22PM

bah..this isnt biohazard and i think 4 wasnt new nor great.
And resident evil 1 was an instant-classic for saturn fans too :)

CJLopez @ Jul 21st 2008 4:17PM

Well, for me, RE5 is a pimped up RE4, really, as has been stated, there's nothing new, only more of what already love, but then again, they used the same formula for RE2, 3, code veronica, outbreak, zero and it worked pretty nice, of course, in zero they added the another things.

Now, we get RE5, with all we already knows, and new few things (really, non-stop equipment check and cure, man, thats what made go WOW!!!!!), hey, maybe on the mean time this is released they 'll implement some new things we don't know about.

I'm curious, will there be a weapon seller, seems like those are getting a lot of attention lately