www.Multiplayergames.com – Multiplayer Games

Based around co-op play, Resident Evil 5 is drastically different from its predecessor, despite similar mechanics. It’s as much a game about keeping yourself alive as it is your partner. Playing solo, it’s a fun experience, but this is a game based around co-op.

Split screen co-op (online was unavailable) sadly squished the screens. On a small TV, it’s going to be hard to make out what you need to see. Instead of splitting the screen in the middle, the screens are off set leaving spaces on the sides. It’s an irritant, but you can adjust.

Initially, you’ll need to adjust. You still can’t move and shoot/knife, you still can’t strafe, and ammo is severely limited. A quick swap inventory on the d-pad crams a lot of information onto the controller, although you can finally see the healing spray in action with this feature. You can also hit Y to bring up the standard inventory, only this time, the game doesn’t stop while you play around with it.

This is a critical change, as you can pick up a variety of ammunition for guns you may not have. However, your partner will likely have an assault rifle you stand there without. You can easily swap items between yourselves to keep everyone fully stocked, but staying accurate is still critical. In mass hordes, your gun’s ammo is your only friend.

Two levels adorn the demo, and the first feels more like Left 4 Dead. It’s an insane zombie rally where ammo is non-existent, and a hefty axe-slaughtering butcher is constantly homing in. The second is slower paced, with a co-op segment filled with exploding barrels and a sniper shoot out for the player taking control of Leon. It ends with a boss fight against a brutal chainsaw wielding nutball.

Visually, the title is already stunning. The lighting, along with an incredible physics engine on destructible objects, easily makes this is the best looking title in the series. The number of enemies on screen is a series record. A new foe, flying bat/insect/bird things are a nuisance, but look disgustingly beautiful if zombies are your thing. Cinematics are fitted with a light grain filter to give them an additional cinematic push.

This brief taste already plants Resident Evil 5 as a contender for best game of 2009. While the controls are still frustrating, once adjusted, you’ll feel right back at home. This is an evolution of a franchise in the best way possible.

Popularity: 1% [?]