The Resident Evil 5 demo that was released a few months back had me feeling a bit wary of what the final product would look/play like.  Now after quite a few playthroughs with the retail copy I’m happy to say that the control problems from the demo are not deal breaks after some time with the game.  The levels are set up so that they provide the player with the utmost excitement without ever letting the “tank-like” control scheme become too much of a hindrance.

Two To Tango

As with any activity. having someone to play with is where Resident Evil 5 truly shines.  While the single player game does allow you to play along side an AI partner having someone sit down on the couch with you or play with online is where the real fun starts.  Staying ahead of the zombies becomes a breeze when you have another human to play along side.  It can be quite satisfying to plan strategies with a partner when facing off against one of the game’s many larger-than-life enemies.

Plain ole’ Dumb Fun

I’m sure there are many die hard fans of the Resident Evil franchise that will love the small throw backs to the series’ prior installments but when it came to me it seemed more like a summer blockbuster action movie plot rather than anything to pay attention to.  While this may be a negative point to some, I feel it’s a perfectly acceptable video game equivalent to a popcorn flick plot that’s just meant as a backdrop for the action that’s happening on screen.

But Wait There’s More…

What really caught me off guard was the fact that there was such a robust end game that was unlocked once you completed the campaign the first time.  There’s money and XP to gather that is utlized to upgrade weapons and to purchase bonus items like costumes, unlimited ammo, and 3d figurines of all the characters in the game.  Along with those features you’re also able to play the Mercenaries mode which puts you and your AI or human controlled partner against waves of infected creatures.

Resident Evil 5 provides an experience that is well worth any of the frustration you may come across while attempting to learn the control scheme.  The variety in locales throughout the game provide a backdrop that keeps the stop and pop pace of the from getting to monotonous.  I’d recommend the game to anyone looking for an exciting experience that is a blast to share with friends.

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I have no idea why they included the old “tank” controls that are even a further throwback to the old PS1 era Resident Evil games.  Thankfully they included the option to switch to Gears of War type controls but you’re still forced to stand still whenever you wish to shoot your gun which can be a hassle when you can easily be surrounded by the enemies bent on tearing you apart.  Another antiquated game mechanic is being forced to bring up a menu just to heal yourself or your teammate.  This wouldn’t be a bad thing if it wasn’t for the fact that the game still continues as you’re in this separate screen allowing you to once again be surrounded by enemies.

All of the above can be a huge headache but just like any control scheme it takes some getting used to but once they’re learned or at least “compensated” for there is a lot of fun to be had.  If the online co-op mode included in the demo is any indication playing with a friend or someone online will be the best way to experience the game.   Otherwise I’m confident the people at Capcom will make mastering the controls well worth the time spent through a great story and interesting situations.