E3 2008: Resident Evil 5 Hands-On
We tear through two levels of Capcom's latest survival horror game.
We've been anxious to try our hand at Resident Evil 5 since we first got a look at the promising game earlier this year. The long-running series clearly found a cool new groove with the last entry for the GameCube and PlayStation 2 in 2005, and hopes have skyrocketed for this highly anticipated sequel. We got a chance to play a couple of levels of this survival horror game and lived to tell the tale.
The first level that we tried was a short, tutorial-style run called "Assembly Place." Main characters Chris Redfield and Sheva Alomar are in the back alleys of a shantytown when it starts. The first order of business is guiding the pair down a short path, at the end of which they drop down and enter a house. There were a few items to collect--ammo and health--on a dumpster by the door. The game's new co-op angle was front and center; the minute the option to collect the items came up, it was possible to direct Sheva to pick them up.
Once we guided Chris into the house, a lengthy cutscene kicked off. From the look of it, a fair chunk of the in-game cinematic has been shown in the previous trailers for the game. The action revolves around a dictator type speaking to a mob before an execution courtesy of a massive, hooded behemoth wielding a big axe. Shortly after the execution, the dictator spots Chris and Sheva; in retrospect, it probably wasn't the smartest thing for the pair to be watching everything go on while standing in the window. As you'd expect, the dictator and the mob aren't thrilled about the intruders, and the cutscene closes with him directing the mob to house.
We took control of Chris as the house came under siege by the masses, who could be seen through the windows. We had a few options as they started rushing, which were pretty interesting. We were able to push bookcases in front of the main door and one of the windows. We liked that; much like having the option to direct Sheva to collect items, we were able to get her to assist with the bookcase. Before we started pushing on our own bookshelf, we set her on the other, which was handy because time is of the essence when you're being set on by an angry mob. In the few seconds that we had left, we also collected loot from around the small house. As with previous games, the loot was laying in plain sight, and also hidden in drawers or left behind when smashing crates.
The level's pacing started with a slow burn, much like the first big rush of enemies in RE4, with the mob getting more and more aggressive in their attempts to enter. As we were getting our bearings, Sheva helpfully started shooting at anyone who showed their face in windows. We were actually able to take out quite a few by shooting them through the windows, but eventually the mob kicked in the main door and started streaming in. As if that wasn't bad enough, another highly motivated group started dropping down from a hole that they had made in the roof. The final kicker was when a massive, axe-wielding hulk smashed his way through the main wall...clearly a sign that it was time to get out.
We snaked past Mr. Axe and the enemies streaming into the house and took to the streets. Besides affording us more room to maneuver, the streets were littered with a number of useful items. There were crates to break that yielded assorted ammo, grenades, health canisters, and gold. More importantly, there were a few houses that we could loot, one of which contained an AK-47. Flammable barrels were the other useful element in the outdoors. Although they didn't explode, the fire that they kicked up took out most enemies, with the exception of the axe wielder who, we discovered, could kill us with just two hits.
Thankfully, one of the best perks of having Sheva around was that, when Chris' health was low or when he was about to get killed by a second axe blow, she could restore some of his health. This doesn't mean that you won't die, because we did; Sheva needs to be near you when you're on the brink of death. Regardless, it's certainly a handy mechanic. Once we survived long enough, we triggered another cutscene that featured a military helicopter coming in and tearing things up with an aerial salvo that cleared out most of the enemies in the town center.
We explored the cleared town a bit and made our way farther up, coming across a few more enemies, including some Molotov cocktail-pitching ones. We were able to shoot the bottles out of their hands as they were getting ready to throw, which had the added bonus of setting the enemy on fire. This short segment also introduced a new flying enemy that was all about clinging to our face and murdering us. Thankfully, they didn't stand up to a volley of bullets. The level ended when we reached a large gate.
354 comments
I heard that it has so many diferent enimies that u culd play the whole game 1 time and not see the same zombie twice!!!!!!!!!!!!
Haven't played the RE series except RE4. Liked it. This combines two of my favorites. RE4 and half life ep 1 like AI companion.
I know a lot of people have been waiting for this game. I am a big fan of RE series. Can't wait to get my hands on this. And Online co-op makes me want it even more. If it isnt your type of game or you think that the game is mindless just dont purchase it. I have never made bad comments on a game that doesnt feed my appetite. We are just gamers trying to play the game of our liking. This will be the first game on my list.
MARCH 13 2009! I absolutely CANNOT wait for this game. by the way, mindless action game? please this will definitely be listed as one of the greatest games of the year (well 2009, anyway)
for those of you saying it's going to be a mindless action game, your most likely wrong. resident evil has ALWAYS been known for its puzzles. and there is no way that they can stray from that because thats what makes the game so great. and the game looks great only after TWO levels. can't wait
The Resident Evil and Castlevania franchises are the only 2 franchises I really get excited about anymore. They rarely ever let me down. I Can't WAIT for this new RE title.
With more survival elements this should be perfect, the last one felt a little gimmicky and had a WTF ending that, although made sense and tied up loose ends, was random in it's setting, so as long as they change those things it should be absolutely perfect.
The gameplay from E3 looks amazing. I didn't think they'd be able to beat RES4 but this looks truly amazing
it looks perfect except for one simple thing: I wish the zombies were faster like the ones in 28 days later.
Looks like a great game...but I'm sad that this is the way RE is heading. Just another mindless action series now. Ah well. Whatever sells is what they'll make. Can't blame 'em, but still. :(
I know I will get burned, but here it goes anyway... First let me say that I loved RE4, it's one of the few games I have replayed and I replayed it twice (played it 3 times)... However I feel there was room for the new style of game play and the old. This one is more action oriented the old style was more puzzle solving. The mechanics constraints in the old games was part of the scare factor... IMO... They will be missed!!!
the thing i love about the resident evil franchise is that they combine quality and quantity in one.
@ hitandrun How can u not b a fan of Resident Evil??????? Who seriously does not like Resident Evil??? I cant wait 4 this game 2 come out!!!!!! This is gonna b in the running 4 game of the year I guarentee it! I have every Resident Evil game that has made its way stateside (a couple of RE games haven't come out in America). I miss my zombie killing but RE4 was in my top 10 of greatest games of all time & RE5 is just like it but with better graphics so yea it'll probably b in my top 10 rite along side with RE4.
Yeah, Beat 4 on Wii a billion times and got all the guns......yes even the PLR 412....... so cant wait to see what guns this one will have. I like Dr Salvador's new look :-P. cant wait to fill his brown bag head with some hot shells.
i hope they bring back the merchant guy. he was cool. "whattya buyin' ...? strangjah....?"
No doubt the previous RE games scared the crap out of me. However, I am willing to get more of that out of my system as I kill zombies in PS3's HD quality. Game looks great. Female sidekick looks greater.
on-line co-op holy crap i had high expectations for this now mine are through the roof cant wait!!
On-line co-op yes!!!! This game looks to come out by the time I begin to get tired of MGO, by that time me and the clan will be helping each other on this game yeah!!!
looks like another solid re, can't wait! but like chickenhounk saod march 2009? ughhh.....that's okay i still have gta 4 to beat, mgs4, and will have madden 09 to kepp me busy and of course college!
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Game Info
- Release Date: Mar 12, 2009 (AU)
- Classification Board: MA
- Release Date: Sep 17, 2009 (AU)
- Classification Board: MA
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