Bit different and the same (Resident Evil 5 (PS3))

Member Name: MrsLim

Product:	Resident Evil 5 (PS3)
Date:	09/06/09 (21 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Gripping and challenging adventure

Disadvantages: Goes where RE4 has already gone

Brief Summary:
You are Chris Redfield a BSAA (an organisation that was set up to counter Bio-Organic Weapons Threats) operative sent to a part of African to intercept a BOW arms deal taking place.
Of course the mission doesn't go according to plan as the local inhabitants are all infected with a type of BOW, a virus that turns them all into super strong blood thirsty maniacs. To help you in your mission you have a partner named Shiva and together you must hunt down the arms dealer named Irving. Of course Irving is just the tip of the iceberg and as you progress further into the adventure you will meet familiar faces and enemies (for those of you that have played previous RE games). RE5 does tie up all the loose ends and bring to a conclusion all that's taken place in the previous games, however you do not need to have played previous games to enjoy and understand this latest adventure it's just that its quite satisfying for old fans of the game to have these loose ends tied up.

Game play
For those that have played RE4, RE5 plays almost exactly the same, the main difference being you have a partner (Sheva) who accompanies you on screen. You do not control her directly but can command her to be more defensive or offensive minded as you see fit. You can also decide what equipment she carries and she will take out enemies and even come to your aid if you are dying or in a struggle with the enemy. However be warned you must also come to her aid for if she dies it is game over, you may see this as an inconvenience but Shiva comes in very handy and for the most part looks after herself.
For those new to the series you control your character from a 3rd person view, and must move around the stages killing enemies and collecting items and weapons along the way. Most of the stages are the typical get from point A to point B however there is variety. One stage requires you to avoid/fight the enemy in order to stay alive long enough for your air support to arrive and bomb a gate for you to escape. Another stage has you on the back of a speeding jeep using the mounted machine gun to shoot at the enemy Mujani on motorbikes and armoured trucks. The game is fun to play and these changes help to freshen up the game play and add variety.

Graphics
The graphics in RE5 are flawless and are on par with Metal Gear Solid 4. The enemies you face in RE5 are all painstakingly detailed and modelled with even the engorged veins and torn flesh on the infected Mujani being visible close up or through the scope of the sniper rifle. The stages you travel through are also beautifully created and realised, the highlight being when you get to view the entire underground ancient city. As well as being well executed the stages are also varied from hot humid shanty towns baking in the scorching sun, to gloomy, dank swamps and dark, creepy underground caverns.
The CG cut scenes are some of the best looking you will see on the PS3 and are also a pleasure to watch as they are not overly long and quite action packed (2 criticisms that could be levelled at the MGS4 cut scenes).

Overall
RE5 is one of the best games you can play on the PS3 and is as good as RE4, however whereas RE4 was quite groundbreaking RE5 does retread old ground, but as the saying goes "if it isn't broken...." RE5 is a huge game with 6 chapters each comprising of around 3 levels, each level can take you between 30 to 45 minutes complete not including having to restart if you die, and you will die! Combined with the mercenaries sub game and the option to retry a level in order to get a better score or find items you may have missed the first time RE5 is value for money.

Graphics: 10/10
Sound: 9/10
Game Play: 9/10
Game Life: 9/10

Overall: 9/10

Summary: If you loved RE4 then get this!