BGB at LGF: Resident Evil 5 Impressions

Resident Evil 4 absolutely engulfed the action game market, despite its survival horror legacy and Japanese background. Receiving ubiquitously high scores from critics and remarkable sales, elements of Leon’s Granados killing adventure were seen in everything from 2006’s Gears of War to last week’s Dead Space.

Now, in a twisted turn of fate, Resident Evil 5 is the one taking influence. Relegating the fire and aim buttons to the controller’s shoulders and letting Chris strafe in the all new “Action Configuration”, Five takes one more step to shake its clunky, cumbersome past. If Resident Evil 6 lets you move while aiming, it might have to drop the Resident Evil moniker entirely.

The two levels on show had a lot in common; both were dilapidated shanty towns in Africa, and both were bright and sunny levels; a stark contrast to Resident Evil 4’s eternal-dusk setting. Another strong connection between the levels was their size and free roaming nature. Like the town at the very beginning of Resident Evil 4, both levels gave you a group of infected Africans (and a boss, wielding a giant hammer in one level, and a chainsaw in another) and let you run wild, jumping in and out of shacks, climbing up ladders and leading enemies past numerous explosive barrels.

No doubt the final game will feature its fair share of linear and more claustrophobic levels, which were seen later in the demo. Like the E3 presentation from producer Jun Takeuchi, Chris and partner Sheva split up to take a Zombie hoard from two different locations; Sheva in the thick of it and Chris providing cover from afar. Before we provided a boost for Sheva to jump between buildings, we opened up both inventories (by tapping the Right Bumper or R2 button) and swapped weapons, giving her our assault rifle and taking Sheva’s sniper rifle and ammo.

While grenades will stack in your inventory, herbs and sprays take up a space for each healing item, very important in Resi 5’s new diminutive inventory.

The inventory is radically different from Resident Evil 4; gone is the gigantic briefcase where time stops and Leon can take a break from the relentless zombie hoard. Now, tapping Y (or Triangle) pops open a tiny, 9 slot inventory, that overlays the game. While the breather of Leon’s grid based suitcase will be sorely missed, never taking the player out of the game ratchets up Resi’s intensity, resulting in a faster paced game and a more concentrated experience.

While we didn’t get to play co-op, Sheva’s AI was impressive; she would keep herself out of danger and her laser sight would point out oncoming enemies. She would also help you out without asking, giving health and ammo when needed.

We played the game on both Playstation 3 and Xbox 360, with no obvious graphical difference between the two. The PS3 version uses the L/R 1 Bumper buttons for aim and fire, which is a welcome change from the spongy triggers.
Visually, Resident Evil 5 is spectacular; the incredibly detailed models for Chris and Sheva stand out against the decrepit shanty towns. The game also uses a slightly subdued palette and a faintly grainy filter for a unique visual style.

Chris has a different move set than roundhouse kicking, German suplexing Leon; his attacks consist of visceral hooks and uppercuts.

Resident Evil 5’s generation jump is far from the radical evolution between Resi’s survival horror legacy and four’s action heavy redux, but the addition of a dependable partner (sorry Ashley!), co-op and improved controls are all welcome features. Resident Evil 4 has concreted its place as one of the best games ever made, and Resident Evil 5 will assuredly appease those of us calling out for more.

Eurogamer Expo Photograph by Flickr User ressoosnowdon