Resident Evil 5 Review
This is my first video game review. I might do more since I am starting to get more games for my PS3. Anyway, I am glad to write my first review on Resident Evil 5. There are spoilers, so don't read if you haven't finished the game.
I was just a little boy when the first Resident Evil came out. I mean, really, really young. I remember my brothers would go into the game room of my house and lock me out. I would cry and ask why they wouldn’t let me play with them. They said it’s because they are playing a scary game, and I am way too young to play it. I would get scared. Yes, that was the original Resident Evil for Playstation.
I remember my first experience actually witnessing a Resident Evil game, it was Resident Evil 2. I was in grade school and my brother was playing it. He let me take a look, and it scared the crap out of me. But I couldn’t stop watching, something about the character Claire Redfield. I developed a crush on her… Well, as much of a crush that you can have on a cartoon. It just snowballed from there, I couldn’t get enough Resident Evil, even though I was a frightened by the games, I would always watch my brother beat them, I didn’t actually play one myself until I was in eighth grade. It was Resident Evil 2, and I was so proud of myself when I beat it.
So as you can see, I have been a Resident Evil fanboy since before it was “popular”. Yes, I am one of the fans who are discusted by the change in the game (Don’t worry; I am not going to bash RE5). Resident Evil has been a classic, and I personally think the Resident Evil Remake more than proves that they were developing the old mechanics of the game enough to stay relevant, but staying true to what made the series what it is today.
I especially didn’t like Resident Evil 4 when it came out, and I refused to play it for years. To me, “Code Veronica” Was the true Resident Evil 4. It was directly tied to the saga and is still the best Resident Evil game to date. Resident Evil 4, aside from featuring Leon, has nothing to do with the original series! Sure, they try to shoehorn certain things to give it the allusion that it has its place in the timeline, but it really doesn’t. The whole purpose of the game was to introduce the whole “Plagas” thing, which they could have easily done in a cut scene or journal entry.
I finally gave in and played Resident Evil 4 about a month ago. I knew I wanted to play Resident Evil 5 since it featured Chris, and I was hoping it would get back into the storyline, after a decade of leaving us hanging. I have to say, I was very surprised by Resident Evil 4. I have always liked Leon and I find the new addition of Ashley Graham an endearing and interesting character. Although I felt the game was bogged down by the return of Ada. She was one of those aspects they shoehorned in so it would feel like it was a part of the series. As far as I am concerned, Ada was a secondary character in Resident Evil 2, who should have stayed there. The whole forced sexual tension between the two was irritating and they still didn’t tie up the storyline. Please don’t let Resident Evil 6 be another Leon/Ada adventure! So although the game was fantastic, I still don’t feel it’s a real part of the series.
Now, on to Resident Evil 5. As soon as the game starts, I am amazed by the graphics. I am not normally the type to get all excited for graphics in a game, but the graphics are the best I have ever seen. You really can’t tell the difference between cut scenes and actual game play. The game play is also very well put together. It is a lot like Resident Evil 4, so of course it is going to be good.
The villains in this game are “Majini” (I think I spelled that right). Although I still do miss the zombies, the change actually makes sense in this game. The Zombies just weren’t cutting it, so Wesker needed to come up with a new plan in order to take over the world. This should have been the first Resident Evil game to feature this style of villain; I think old school fans would be more accepting of it if it was introduced in this context.
The characters are enthralling. The design and detail on them is wonderful, and the voice acting is the best in any resident evil game. Capcom really went all out for the acting in this game, and it really paid off for them. The tradition of hot and sexy protagonists continues in Resident Evil 5. The original Resident Evil Hunk Chris is back, extremely beefed up for his epic return to the series. He is accompanied by the sexy and agile Sheva. Sheva is a wonderful addition to the Resident Evil series. The character is fleshed out and given just enough character development to get you to care for her. I found myself caring more and more for her as the game progressed. She is now my second favorite female character, under Claire. Chris is back with his emotional baggage. It is clear he is using his work to keep his problems in the back of his head, his need for revenge slowly coming out as the game progresses. My favorite scene between the two is right after you have a boss fight. Chris tells her to leave and get to safety, but Sheva refuses, saying “We are partners to the end.”
The two main villains are just as exciting. Wesker is always intriguing, but this time he has a love interest named Excella. I loved Excella; I think she was just what the game needed as far as a fresh face of evil. Her archetype was perfect as well, the spoiled rich girl on a power trip. She reminded me a lot of Stephanie McMahon from the WWE. I have always loved characters like that. My only problem is that I wish we got to see more of her, and that she would be playable in mercenaries.
Then there is the whole mystery of the Bird Woman. The one thing that the game hyped up for a while before it was released. The epic trailer that ended with Wesker pulling the hood off the face. Boy was I excited to get to that part in the game! That is all I could think about. I couldn’t wait to see who it was. As the game continued it pretty much spelled it out for you that it was going to be Jill, so as I was playing I thought it couldn’t possibly be Jill, the game wouldn’t be that predictable. But as he pulled the hood off, sure enough, it was Jill. What a stupid, stupid “surprise” twist. And it didn’t even look like Jill, WTF? Then to rub salt in the wounds, it turns out she was just being mind controlled by Excella the whole time. Again, WTF? It’s like Capcom wanted to do something shocking but didn’t have the balls to do it! Yea I know, everyone would be pissed if Jill went rogue, but who cares? Now that would be a good twist. The major hype of the games storyline turned out to be a flop… I mean anyone could see it coming from a mile away, if they were smart they would have made it Claire. How epic would that have been? The hood being pulled back and Chris coming face to face with his baby sister, the one relationship that was the driving force of the whole series. Me being the biggest Claire fanboy wouldn’t have minded if Claire turned out to be evil, and even if she was just being mind controlled by Excella, the sheer fact that it was Claire would still be amazing. The pure shock would more than make up for it. Then you would have Chris getting all pissed they messed with the one family member he had left. But nope, they had to go the boring predictable route and make it Jill, who was being mind controlled.
This is followed up by an awkward moment where Jill calls herself Chris’ partner. Yea, I know they were partners for years, but come on, Sheva is right there! I felt bad for her.
The last quarter of the game is by far the best! You get to battle Excella as a huge monster in one of the best boss battles in Resident Evil history. Then you get an epic showdown reminiscent to Star Wars episode 3. A battle many years in the making. Chris taking on Wesker, although Sheva is a welcome addition. Then the ending is kind of anti-climactic, just like most resident evil endings.
The game wraps up the series storyline, so I have no clue what Resident Evil 6 could be about, UGH aside from Leon/Ada shit.
The only thing I would have really liked in this game would have been Claire. At least just mention her. It seemed kind of strange to have a game with Chris and not have Claire a part of it. Not just because I love Claire so much, but just because its common sense that she would be involved somehow. I really hope that Resident Evil 6 stars Claire. She really deserves her own game again, even if it is a co-op game with Leon. That would be bad ass! It’s been far too long.
So, the game was pretty good, one of the best of the series. I will enjoy the storyline many times and I know I will contiue to play the side games you can unlock. It is well worth the wait and money. Well that is my review, leave a comment and let me know what you think. If you think I am a dumb moron who doesn’t know shit let me know. If you see where I am coming from then let me know!
Thanks for reading.
Bali Hotels