Resident Evil 5 Versus Mode DLC Impressions

  • By LarkAnderson, GameSpot
  • Posted May 7, 2009 9:04 am AEST

Despite the replayability of the excellent single-player and co-op campaign offered in Resident Evil 5 (Xbox 360, PlayStation 3), sometimes simply killing the debatably undead grows tiresome. This is an entirely natural phenomenon, and one that developer Capcom has chosen to address by offering you...

Despite the replayability of the excellent single-player and co-op campaign offered in Resident Evil 5 (Xbox 360, PlayStation 3), sometimes simply killing the debatably undead grows tiresome. This is an entirely natural phenomenon, and one that developer Capcom has chosen to address by offering you the Mercenaries minigame, which lets you kill maybe-undead in a timed challenge for points. But what if you want more? What if you want to hunt down the most dangerous prey of all, your fellow man? Lucky you! Capcom has once again stepped in by offering the Resident Evil 5 Versus Mode DLC, allowing you to channel your bloodthirsty tendencies in a creative, anonymous, non-capital-crimey way.


CHRIIIIIIIIIIS!

Versus mode offers two distinct gameplay types--Slayers and Survivors--both of which can be played in solo or team versions. Slayers is essentially a competitive version of the Mercenaries minigame that supports four players. You play on one of the same eight levels as in Mercenaries with the exact same rule set. Each character is preloaded with different weapons, and you run around and rack up kills to build up your combo meter and score, picking up time and combo bonuses as necessary. You can fight the other players if you like, or you can try to ignore them and focus on the Majini that will spawn. If you're killed, you'll respawn instantly so you can get back into the action, and the round ends once the timer runs out.

Survivors is a Mercenaries take on the standard Deathmatch mode, which once again takes place on the same eight levels and supports up to four players. There's still a countdown timer, and Majini still spawn (albeit at a slower rate and in fewer numbers), but the main attraction is the player battles. In this game mode, you increase your score by damaging the other players, and your score is decreased whenever you take damage or die. There are no combo items this time around, and you start with only one weapon, though others can be found around the maps or are dropped by the Boss Majini that show up (though you otherwise get no points for killing them).

For both of these modes you have access to the same group of characters available in Mercenaries, including all three costumed versions of Chris and Sheva, and both versions of Jill and Wesker. Unlike in Mercenaries, though, you don't unlock additional characters by simply winning matches on the various levels--you've got to purchase them with the precious exchange points you earn by playing the game. What this means is that unless you've got an excess of points in your Internet wallet, you're going to be put at an immediate disadvantage once you start playing Versus mode because you don't have the 50,000 EP needed to buy the incredibly smug S.T.A.R.S. Wesker, who has indeed achieved complete global saturation thanks to how hideously overpowered his armament is (not to mention his special dash ability). But, as with Mercenaries, you earn points for playing, so keep at it and eventually you too will be able to play as Wesker and mash the assist button to hear his hilariously disdainful comments.


Poor performance indeed!

One of the most interesting aspects of the Versus DLC is figuring out how you should approach each of the levels and modes. There are a number of different strategies for you to use, whether it's as simple as finding the high ground with a sniper rifle and watching your back, as sinister as planting proximity bombs around blind corners in heavily trafficked areas, or as jerk-y as running to the health item stash and discarding everything but the few you keep for yourself so you're the only one who can heal. Despite the number of potential strategies, the gameplay in the Versus mode is the same as it is elsewhere in the game--you've got to stop to aim and shoot--which means that close-range gunfights sometimes devolve into stationary face-offs (which are as dumb as they sound).

Ultimately, the amount of fun and enjoyment you get out of the Versus DLC for Resident Evil 5 depends a lot on how much you like the Mercenaries minigame. Both Slayers and Survivors are based on the gameplay found in Mercenaries, though they have different goals and require separate strategies. If you've mastered Mercenaries and are looking for new challenges (and ways to show off, since Versus features its own leaderboards), you're definitely going to want to pick up Versus. But even if you're not a professional riding the wind of madness, this pack is only 400 Microsoft points or $4.99 on the PSN, so you may want to give it a shot.

220 Comments

  • Hamadaenya

    Posted Nov 4, 2009 4:35 pm PT

    i respect who made this game so warm greetings to them hamada

  • 1r3ap3r

    Posted Sep 30, 2009 3:22 pm PT

    I LOVE THIS GAME SO MUCH.........................

  • Fz1994

    Posted Sep 14, 2009 7:00 am PT

    hey anyone know if that when they mean team do they mean as 2 players on 1 ps3 or 2 players on a different ps3?

  • Hayabusahalo

    Posted Aug 7, 2009 6:52 pm PT

    This DLC is a complete rip-off and the STARS Wesker makes it so unaccesable to new players. Utter fail by Capcom... as usual.

  • batmanboy11

    Posted Jul 13, 2009 11:40 am PT

    This may not be the best multiplayer ever made but anyone who owns RE5 should buy it. Especially if you've done everything else there is in the game.

  • Desert_Eagle_50

    Posted Jul 7, 2009 8:38 am PT

    Resident Evil series should stay single player only. Co-op is okay, but multiplayer is plain lame, plus they charge you extra.

  • squarejp

    Posted May 31, 2009 3:37 am PT

    Just make this VS pack free. Look at Burnout Paradise, the free update is a lot of fun, may be is it the VS package is a shame to be free because it sucks? Making the VS mode free only makes the RE5 has more replay value so people don't need to sell their used copies which indirectly motivates more people to buy the new copies instead. Too bad, I got RE5 for $36 from Gamestop after the Buy 2 get 1 free USED GAMES deal.

  • Allbritt0n

    Posted May 23, 2009 7:36 pm PT

    RE5 is good game. i'm sick of ppl h8in on co-op and it having a bunch of action instead of u being lost and a puzzle annoying the hell outta u. I hope the next resident evil is just like this instead scarier and a lot more costumes and something like assignment ada from re4.

  • SDMF_TrueBlue

    Posted May 21, 2009 7:34 am PT

    400 MSP may sound like a good deal, but there is no excuse for this. Information on these game modes was included in the strategy guide. After the already bogus cost of $60 for a game I'm not spending an additional $5 just to unlock what is already on the disc. No, new achievements/trophies won't sway me either. Get a clue Capcom. The gaming community as a collective whole calls bogus on this. Get another clue and make it free.

  • Mito_Vendo

    Posted May 19, 2009 7:34 pm PT

    I may be dating myself, but back in 1992, Capcom would have a big hit with Street Fighter 2 for the SNES... and then almost immediately release Champion Edition in arcardes making the four final characters playable. Instantly there was some resentment that they weren't included in the cartridge and the official line was that to include the programming for these characters would have drastically delayed the release of the game. Some kid with a Game Genie found the glitch to use those characters that showed that all that would have been needed was a slight modification to the character select screen. I remember that little bit of spin about Capcom even 17 years later. Obviously buying two cartridges isn't as bad as arcade operators buying new units or boards but just like paying to"unlock" content it's the principle of the matter.

    Unfortunately, this is commonplace in the industry. When I studied in Kyoto I stayed with an employee of Nintendo who explicitly told me not to get the upcoming Game Boy Advance SP because the final version of the Game Boy Micro and DS had already been designed and would go into production once the SP lost popularity. And of course there is the recent annoying trend of games like Soul Calibur IV and Mr. Pain that actually show the game content you can't use in menu screens unless you pay more.

    The unfortunate reality is that game companies all practice some sort of policy to get the most money out of the same content when it would be fairer (and in some cases easier) to just skip over those money-making steps. The gaming public can either be offended by it or accept it and just spend the money on desired content. If only those rare developers could grow in number, those who get the most out of the same content by making it so good that people will buy the game en masse to play it (Bethesda) or over the course of a lifetime want to buy it many times over many platforms (8-16 bit Nintendo).

    I doubt developers are reading or caring about this, but how about simple logic in regards to downloaded content? If you think that 1 in 5 (a generous estimate) would pay $5 for it, why not include it and boost the price of the game $1? In addition to making the same money, the released version would be better received and sell more copies also. Plus, if the content would have been a bust and sold less, you'd have made more money in the end also.

    Just my two yen.

  • StarlightHunter

    Posted May 19, 2009 3:05 pm PT

    @ResidnetEvil777, Agreed, many people are stupid for actually buying this. The content was already on the disc and we all know that. Capcom pulled a fast one on us, and basicly stole from us. I'm getting sick of DLC and the fact they intentionally hold back content we should rightfully have at the start, I paid £40 for the game for God sake, what more you they want. Their is very few genuin DLC left for example Fallout 3 and Oblivion DLC becasue they were built from the ground up after the game was release or developed.

  • Darkness7089

    Posted May 18, 2009 9:19 am PT

    I don't think a 2vs2 mode in Resident Evil 5 is worth any money from me, sorry. Why not include the ability to play with 4 people through some custom levels instead? Or allow some people to just play boss zombies like Left 4 Dead? As far as >2 ppl multiplayer goes, this game is a bust. It captured the single player hands down with an amazing campaign and 2 player teamwork, but swung and missed if they actually intend for this to be all its multiplayer is going to provide us. 5$ isn't a lot, but these 2 very limited and probably repetitive or boring modes aren't worth paying for either.(Imagine Gears of War with 4 people, no thanks) I'd rather have a dozen gameplay modes and pay 15-20$ instead. This is the type of thing I know I'd buy, play for 20 minutes, and then never touch again. I bought Braid and it feels like a real investment, at least it'll last some hours solving puzzles.

    As far as as the other comments go: CO OP was a GREAT addition to the series, and this is, in my opinion, the best game in the series. I'd not have wanted to own the game if it didn't have CO OP, as I'm a fan of playing with a friend. If it isn't scary, it's because you're grown up now and played the previous ones, idiots! Let the next generation with no experience play this just as you played the first one and they'll be just like you were when you were younger. Do people not realize these things? But you could always try turning up the difficulty level... instead of plowing it on easy and then complaining that its too easy or not scary. When you start dying on Veteran mode and run out of ammo, you'll get scared then.

  • FatesMessenger

    Posted May 15, 2009 10:08 pm PT

    2 was the best one I'd say. I remember the first time playing it there were times I didn't even wanna turn the next corner cause I was afraid something would jump out and startle me into pissing myself, not many games have ever had that kind of affect on people.

    3 isn't too far off from being a scary one either, namely because of nemesis. Nemesis would chase the player from room to room and just when you think you're safe you hear that unforgettable word uttered 'stars....' And then you're all oh hell no!

    They need to bring that time of gameplay back, ditch the las plagas or whatever they're called it's not scary. Make up some story in which the T-Virus spreads in a city again and make us face hordes of moaning foot shuffling zombies.

  • ResidnetEvil777

    Posted May 15, 2009 2:07 pm PT

    i think it's stupid to make ppl pay for this. If they're trying to extend the life of the game by including a multiplayer element why make ppl pay? Very stupid decision.

  • FatesMessenger

    Posted May 14, 2009 9:21 pm PT

    5 bucks isn't alot of money no. But it's the principal of the matter. They put it on the game disc at launch ready to use but if you wanna use it you need to download a key to use unlock it.

  • dialtone0187

    Posted May 14, 2009 8:57 pm PT

    This is just sickening when a company charges the consumer more money on top of what you already paid (and I dont care if its $0.50 people, its not the amount its the principle) to *unlock* a feature that is already contained on the disc, next they will start charging for each weapon past your basic pistol. Not to mention this series has taken a wrong turn since RE4, dont get me wrong RE4 & 5 are great games but I miss moaning zombies off screen or other unnatural enemy noises, I miss the puzzles and even tedious back tracking for a missing needed item, and most of all I miss the suspense, terror, scariness, and fear in the older series. Capcom needs to stop thinking of ways to cheat the consumer and use their brainpower to get the series back on track from action horror to survival horror. My Two Cents.

  • -theMisfits-

    Posted May 14, 2009 4:15 am PT

    re5, while still a ok game, was not good at all compared to re4.
    it didnt have the resident evil feel to it.
    not scary, not intense, nothing, and incredibly easy, even on first playthrough.
    hopefully re6 would change things. Dark scenery, ditch the coop! coop made and ruined re5! even though it was alot of fun, it completely took away all intensity.

    but seriously, 5$ isnt going to break your bank. its an ok mode, $5 is not bad at all.

  • EarlAlexander

    Posted May 13, 2009 5:45 pm PT

    It's really not that serious! I paid the $5, and when I want to get on and show everyone how to blow Majini heads off i can do it. It's only $5!!

  • killadroid

    Posted May 13, 2009 4:18 pm PT

    Resident Evil...Mutliplayer? No no no! Being alone is what makes it scary!

  • ThAdEa82

    Posted May 13, 2009 10:12 am PT

    This is horrible for gaming. When modes that normally come with games are sold for more money. Its crazy. Next, they will sell you the right to be able to go to the store and buy the game. Oh and capcom definately deserves to be insulted for this consumer non-lubing

  • FatesMessenger

    Posted May 13, 2009 1:10 am PT

    I will not be buying this "DLC" for one reason.

    It's not DLC at all, the versus mode is already on the game disc at launch you just don't have the ability to access it. I don't recall the source but the games disc has been data mined by some people and it was discovered the vs mode already existed on the disc. The download they make you buy to use it only unlocks the ability to use it, and that my friends is BS. You don't include something on a game and force people to buy something extra just to use it.

    This "DLC" is a kick in the balls to consumers.

  • PSgamer99

    Posted May 12, 2009 6:31 pm PT

    @Intrakitt

    While i agree that this DLC is dumb, i hardly believe capcom deserves to be insulted. I personally love the direction the RE series has gone in(i hate seing puzzles in adventure games and wondering "where do i go now?"), though i also agree with you that they could have made it scarier. As for capcom as a whole though, they're having an amazing year.

  • Intrakitt

    Posted May 12, 2009 4:58 pm PT

    Not only was RE5 the worst and least scary game in the series, but they decided to milk their fans of their money by releasing a half-assed excuse for a deathmatch mode that they very well could have released with the retail copy of the game. What happened Capcom? Why are you crapping all up in your fans cereal?

  • trojanknight187

    Posted May 12, 2009 12:00 pm PT

    dlc not a big deal, the game 10 star. but for a FPS we have BF, COD, KZ, lets keep the killing of friends for them. ....stand still shoot.........your dead.lol naaa ill keep my 5$

  • dbd333

    Posted May 12, 2009 11:41 am PT

    (Capcom board room)
    Hey guys! I have a great idea! Next Resident Evil game, we'll charge EVERYONE $5 to use a weapon besides a pistol!
    We're gonna be rich!
    Woo hoo!


    Jesus.

  • KC_Hokie

    Posted May 12, 2009 8:49 am PT

    I thought Gamespot didn't review DLC...wasn't that their excuse for not reviewing the GTIV and Fallout 3 DLC?

  • IXIWhistIXI

    Posted May 12, 2009 7:33 am PT

    DLC content is where the money is at now days.
    5 dollars for some really small and simple gameplay additions? No thanks.

  • ___goku___

    Posted May 11, 2009 7:17 pm PT

    ill get it when its free, im not gonna let capcom rip me and other smart consumers off. The game is freaking 70$ here in Canada, no way am I paying for something that would make me stop and shoot others online, this game is better replayed and for mercenaries.

  • euphoric666

    Posted May 11, 2009 7:09 pm PT

    waiting for pc version!

  • ariel13941

    Posted May 11, 2009 5:21 pm PT

    Btw my playstation3 id is; theariel08. If anyone wants to play Versus with me. Be my guest. Your only avoiding the inevitable. Lol.

  • ariel13941

    Posted May 11, 2009 5:20 pm PT

    I don't know what everyone is talking about. I think RE5 Versus is actually a pretty decent DLC. It's only five dollars. I mean come on people. It's worth it. If your a RE professional, then you will find no problems with the control system online. In my opinion I rate versus a 9/10. It's pretty amusing. Though when your about to win a match. A asswipe always quit. Capcom should had put it if someone quits; It doesn't mean the whole lobby has to close down. It's pretty annoying when your blowing out your opponents by like 100,000 points. Then, they quit. That's the only downside about RE5 Vesus mode.

  • wonzan

    Posted May 11, 2009 12:22 pm PT

    wow, what a rip. Literally no new content. JUST a few changes to the games rules. Insulting actually.

  • Onyx99

    Posted May 11, 2009 6:40 am PT

    I don't actually have the versus DLC but if it is the same as the Mercenaries game, but with different strategies, I don't want it. I only play mercenaries for the exchange points so i can get all the bonus features. I love the single/joint player game, though I wish they would update the controls, but I can't imagine a versus game being fun based on those control schemes. There are far too many other choices for versus action for me to waste money on a weak one.

  • Carnas

    Posted May 11, 2009 2:52 am PT

    @VegasAce

    RE5 VS is the multiplayer game that requires the most skill? LOL

  • Mr_Fujiv1

    Posted May 11, 2009 1:53 am PT

    in RES 5 they really tryed to do somthing different with the muliplayer but it really didnt pay off.
    i hate it but then again thats my opinion

  • VegasAceVII

    Posted May 10, 2009 10:42 pm PT

    While I do agree that the RE controls are not meant for Multiplayer, I think the whole thing actually works if you know how to play the game. You are not meant to stand-off and try to shoot each other and see who dies first...you are supposed to move around and fool them, then shoot them. You can use fire grenades to stun and unload on them.

    Also, everyone is limited by the same movement; so I don't see how alot of these complaints are valid. If you die, it's usually because you messed up or a zombie plugged you in the back and let the other player murder you.

    It's about using your surroundings, like electrical boxes, Gas cans and such. Maybe try and do a small shoot-out and let a zombie grab them or something bigger. The reason they put in the zombies is because you are to use them to your advantage. Re5 VS isn't the best Multiplayer out there, but it does require the most skill.

  • wilsmartfit

    Posted May 10, 2009 9:49 pm PT

    Honestly I think the multiplayer is 2/10 cuz you have to pay for a gamplay that isn't fun. No ranks and while ur trying to kill a player a crazy infected African Zombie rapes you. The game modes are boring and the characters are exspensive to buy. Chris is 9,000 points while some are 50,000. Come on capcom. You make great games dont f**k up your games. At least add a random level on survival mode with no time, just surviving hordes of zombies.

  • xophaser

    Posted May 10, 2009 8:33 pm PT

    rann89,

    it is already in the game. The $5 basically give you the download for a key that unlocks it. The download file I been reading is less then a megabyte.

  • hillelslovak

    Posted May 10, 2009 8:32 pm PT

    RE5 single player=Awesome. RE5 vs multiplayer=Ultimate fail IMO

  • rann89

    Posted May 10, 2009 6:28 pm PT

    Waste of money. I can't believe they made people pay for this.

    Oh, and congratulations to you suckers who actually did pay for it. People like you are the reason why these companies can release unfinished games and add on an extra price tag for the rest of it.

  • prolificshadow

    Posted May 10, 2009 5:30 pm PT

    The problem with the Versus modes is that the controls are made for intense, survival action where you always have a sense of tension. The controls just do not work well with a multiplayer shoot-out. Not to mention the play style everyone uses is to run as close to you as possible and unleash their shotgun. If you have a buddy to play teams with it's fun but otherwise it is a pass.

  • razorsharp-man

    Posted May 10, 2009 5:28 pm PT

    I don't think I would play this game

  • Braddah_B

    Posted May 10, 2009 3:42 pm PT

    No matter how hard I try I can't seem to understand why they made this game multiplayer. Just seems weird

  • maaly81

    Posted May 10, 2009 3:20 pm PT

    That game isn't set up for multiplayer or the modes shown. One dimensional

  • killer_rabbit20

    Posted May 10, 2009 1:56 pm PT

    you've got to stop to aim and shoot--which means that close-range gunfights sometimes devolve into stationary face-offs (which are as dumb as they sound).

    --

    Lol. Really just what else can you say besides "LOL"?

  • criticfromhell

    Posted May 10, 2009 1:15 pm PT

    I was rather disappointed by this. It jsut didn't seem fun.

  • ztron370

    Posted May 10, 2009 9:32 am PT

    I played the DLC and it's alright.

  • loi88

    Posted May 10, 2009 9:25 am PT

    please anyone i'want DLC on ps3 please evryone please i need it!!!

  • tedhlfc4life

    Posted May 10, 2009 4:55 am PT

    cool i dont even have the game yet but when i do get it im downloading this

  • fantasywar

    Posted May 10, 2009 4:16 am PT

    Well I don't if I actually like it or not. I guess its ok, can see how stiff the controls are when you're trying to shoot someone running around, but at lest the zombies are just as stiff as you.

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