Resident Evil 5 is a 2009 third-person shooter survival horror video game developed and published by Capcom, released for PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and Microsoft Windows.  Serving as the seventh major installment in the Resident Evil series it follows BSAA agents Chris Redfield and Sheva Alomar of a bio-terrorist threat in Kijuju.

Positives:

• Great graphics
• Great voice performances
• Good score
• Extensive campaign
• Good story
• Fun gameplay experience
• A lot of replayability
• Great characters

Negatives:

• Flat characters
• Linear campaign
• Poor AI

Campaign: Resident Evil 5 does feature a really extensive campaign that does tell a very compelling story. The game can be played as a single player or as 2 player co-op, both locally and online. There are a number of really good characters not only new but also returning such as Alex Wesker and Chris Redfield. Sheva Alomar is a fantastic addition to the Resident Evil character roster. She’s deep, she’s rich.  The campaign is really challenging especially when it comes to certain boss fights as well as certain puzzles that need to be solved but the two player aspect of the gameplay does keep it really fun. However, the campaign is painfully linear and predictable with no deviation, no matter how hard the setting. (4 out of 5)

Gameplay: It does feature a really exciting and fast paced gameplay experience. Enemy NPCs’ use of weaponry, tactics, and special abilities can prove a challenge when it comes to fighting them. Admittedly the computer player during the single player experience can be a bit frustrating at times as they will either inconveniently get in the way or lack proper support.  A lot of frustrations when I was downed my “helpful” AI companion allowed me to die several times. Although, it does flow smoothly it doesn’t serve anything new to the third-person shooter genre.  The QuickTime Events work but aren’t overly utilized. (3 out of 5)

Graphics:  Visually Resident Evil 5 is probably one of the best looking Resident Evil games on the market. The cutscenes are fantastic not only featuring great motion capture and dynamic cinematography. The level designs have a lot of really good detail that makes them look highly appealing. Character and creature designs look really good both in game and cinematic. (4 out of 5)

Score:  The score is just as impressive as the graphics. Voice performances are done really well and flush out the characters. Roger Craig Smith and Karen Dyer does a great job as Chris and Sheva.  Another terrific performance is D. C. Douglas as Albert Wesker. The overall musical themes are just fantastic especially when it comes to the action in the various levels. The sound effects are on point; creatures have unique sounds to them, the various weaponry have their distinct sounds, and even the different environments have depth. (5 out of 5)

Replay Value:  Resident Evil 5’s best feature is it’s high level of replayability. Unlike previous installments players are able to choose a certain level or part of the story that they wish to play so going back and trying to achieve a higher score is really easy and convenient instead of having to play the entire campaign. Players also have emblems on every level for them to find which are hidden in some of the craziest places that players will need a guide for them to find. And when I say crazy locations I mean crazy locations.  Also, there is the Mercenaries, the Mercenaries Reunion, and Versus modes that are f****** fantastic. Very exciting and fast-paced and challenging. Also, there’s the DLC “Lost in Nightmares” and “Desperate Escape” and they are great additions to the story not only allowing players to take control of other characters but also changing up the pace of the game. Players are able to unlock tons of trophies, different skins and costumes for the characters, and alternate looks for the game. (5 out of 5)

The Verdict: In the end, Resident Evil 5 is a great addition to the video game series. Despite players complaints about the game’s elevation from survival to straight-up action and possibly a very incompetent CPU companion; the game does feature a fun and challenging campaign, great characters, great replayability, a great score, great graphics, great characters, and a really good and compelling story. Resident Evil 5 definitely deserves 5 out of 5.