Resident Evil 5 is a hard game to review as you have to approach it
with a measured amount of sensitivity thanks to the controversy that
has undeservingly swirled around it. And yes, I said "undeservingly."
Having played through the entire game (on Veteran mind you) I can say
that the influence of "racism" has been overplayed. If you can get over
the fact that you're curb-stomping someone into oblivion, you can get
over the fact that you're shelling out buck in Africa. The violence is
so over the top that it hardly matters who is the recipient of your
bloody massacre. The fact that made all of this controversy moot for
me, however, was how everything distinctly looked zombieish. Even
though you could make a colonialist era comparison to some of the
characters, that's all it is, a comparison. Nothing here resonates so
strongly with truly racist metaphors (i.e.: the Hottentot Venus
imagery, African Pygmies, or Sambo), and instead the game tries to
embrace the uniqueness of the locality. Mind you, nothing here should
be regarded as anything more then science-fiction, so all of the
African settings and character models are really just window-dressing
to flavor up the violent themes of the game. With that said, this game
really doesn't have a lot of good taste to begin with, so hopefully if
you embark on this journey you're not thin-skinned.
Speaking of
visuals, this game is gorgeous. Not only do heads and limbs explode
with satisfying splatter, but the backgrounds make the origins of the
Resident Evil saga seem downright primitive. Character animations are
rich and varied, and cinematics are as good as anything you can see in
a blockbuster action movie. All and all, this game is staggering to
look at, even the most critical eye will find tons to love in the
visuals of this game. Trust me, they're the best around. Sound effects
are less impressive, but are definitely solid. The music is
not-remarkable compared to the last installment's haunting soundtrack,
but the tunes still are the result of high production values. The sound
of explosions and gun shots are what you'd expect, but I believe the
Resident Evil team is the best in the business when it comes to
creating the Gallagher like head explosion sound, and other similar
gritty noises of dismemberment.
With the esthetic's part of the game
getting a decided A+, it's on to the next controversial part of the
game. The controls. The reality that you have to stand still in order
to shoot has been a thorn in many gamer's sides. But, I actually
enjoyed the pace that this mechanic maintained. You won't be running
around mindlessly spraying lead anyway, and thought needs to go into
your course of action in any given encounter. Additionally, you always
have a companion present (either virtual or human controlled), so I
felt the controls were appropriate, even if they aren't a revelation
from Resident Evil 4. Another concern is the inventory system, which is
actually very manageable, assuming you don't want to pick up everything
you see. Just think about what you carry, damn it, and it won't be a
problem! Who needs fifteen flash grenades?!
More noteworthy then the
controls is the gear you will be wielding throughout the game. Every
item ranges from great to frickin' awesome, with the evolutionary
weapons system once again playing a prominent role. If you don't have
something you adore killing with, don't worry, by the end of the game
you'll have found some tool of destruction to be fond of. The only
cause for concern is that you'll constantly be asking your partner to
pick up items, each time with some conspicuous innuendo. (Por ejemplo,
Chris: Grab this. Sheva: Roger.)
The level design falls in line with
it's venerable series history, meaning that the game is brimming with
unforgettable sequences. The games cast also adds to the tension and
enjoyment of each chapter, as every character is both well-crafted and
memorable. In particular the protagonists Chris and Sheva are some of
the most likable avatars this side of Gordon and Alex. Thanks in part
to their presence, the game experiences very few lulls, and doesn't
simply feel like a rehashing of Resident Evil's greatest hits. There is
some genuinely thoughtful encounters and events over the course of the
games twelve hours, none of them disappointing or anticlimactic. The
story too is enjoyable, and runs the gambit of a guilty pleasure action
movie. Even though there aren't any true plot twists or reveals, the
story arc feels well thought out, and engaging. On top of the games
writing there are unlockable documents that neatly tie the Resident
Evil history together, and help expand the dimensions of this universe.
It may be a matter of personal taste, but I was satisfied by the way
the story ended and really appreciated the suitable depth the writers
put in. Quite an accomplishment, considering the language barrier and
the infamous history of video game writing in general.
Once you've
completed the game there are a ton of fun unlockables to play around
with, along with the before mentioned documents. With a new difficulty,
c0-op and alternate gameplay modes available (and on the way) there is
plenty of reason to keep slaughtering the infected again and again.
If
you haven't figured out that I really love Resident Evil 5, then your
powers of deduction need some fine tunning. Many games have come and
gone over the past year, leaving the bitter taste of disappointment.
Resident Evil, in contrast, is a fully realized experience and along
with Street Fighter 4 is proof that Capcom still is near the top of the
gaming hierarchy.
My advice is to ignore the controversy and give
this instant classic a try. It may not blaze a new path for gaming, but
it is a masterpiece of the modern entertainment landscape.
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