Having played Resident Evil for over a decade now, or at least sat back and watched my uncle played the first game on the PSone, and finding that Resident Evil 4 was one of the best games on the GameCube, 5 looked like it was going to be amazing. After all, it had actually had Wesker which, considering the times when Wesker actually appears in the games and with Jill supposedly being dead, something big had to happen in this installment. Not to mention that it had to build off the successful gameplay changes of RE4.

How wrong I was.

First, i'd like to say that not everything is bad about RE5. Everything looks great, most notably the characters who i'd say are comparable to MGS4's fantastically emotive characters. Also, from the moment he first appears to the bit where he gets syringed in the final fight, Albert Wesker is one of the most perfect character in any video game universe ever. A hulking combination of super powers and smugness, Wesker is not only infinitely hateable but completely formidable. For anyone who hasn't played CVX, this is the same guy who had a ton of steel girders dropped on his head and shook it off like it was nothing more than a slap in the face. As baddies go, Wesker is one of the best out there. Or, was.

The thing which annoyed me the most about RE5 is that as a (potentially) closing chapter to this part of the Resident Evil franchise, it felt as if it was being written and controlled by someone who had no real idea about the characters or the storyline so far. The equivalent of Jonathan Mostow taking over from James Cameron in Terminator 3. The final scene demonstrates this complete lack of character development perfectly. You've got Wesker, the big bad since 1996, dying in a volcano and who is it who kills him? Chris Redfield and Sheva Alomar. Chris killing him makes sense, after all he was one of the intended victims of the Arklay Mountains outbreak but Sheva's involvement is insulting. She doesn't even know who Wesker is till halfway through the game. To make matters worse, Jill fucking Valentine, you know, the other main character from the first game as well as a main franchise player, is sitting right next to them in the helicopter willing to just let the man who she chased for years then was captured and experiment on by, be killed by someone else. Is there no desire for revenge in her heart? Not to bog this down too much with comparisons to other media, but it's the equivalent of Agent Smith being killed by some civilian at the end of Matrix Revolutions while Neo sits back and watches. And that complaint is without even going into detail on how pathetic that end is for Wesker. Getting hit by two rockets in the middle of a volcano seems incredibly impersonal considering the homoerotic rivalry between him and Chris.

I know after writing that, someone will bounce into the thread and give me the old 'It's just a video game. Have fun, dickhead' arguement, but coming right off MGS4 which tied up everyone's story so that every MGS game felt like it was part of one big, if messy, contrived and convoluted, story and actually rewarded me as a fan for sticking with it for years, I expected better from Resident Evil 5. Instead, what I got was a piss poor Resident Evil 4 remake made by people who loved MGS4 so much, that they couldn't tell the rhyme or reason behind the plot points, just that they needed to be copied:

• A bleach blonde haired ninja in an advanced bodysuit which allows the user to do gravity defying kung-fu. I'm talking about Raiden, right? Nope: Jill Valentine.
• Killing one of the bosses by sticking him with a needle full of a toxin that overpowers his system making him easily defeatable. I'm talking about Vamp, right? Nope: Albert Wesker.
• Opening in a desert town with a monologue about how the world is currently in peril. I'm talking about MGS4's Middle Eastern battlefield opeing, right? Nope: RE5's African war torn village Kijuju opening.
• Ending on a tanker in the middle of the sea full of the bad guy's troops before having a protracted fist fight with the bad guy himself. I'm talking about MGS4's final chapter, right? Nope: RE5's final chapter.

Having played Resident Evil for over a decade now, or at least sat back and watched my uncle played the first game on the PSone, and finding that Resident Evil 4 was one of the best games on the GameCube, 5 looked like it was going to be amazing. After all, it had actually had Wesker which, considering the times when Wesker actually appears in the games and with Jill supposedly being dead, something big had to happen in this installment. Not to mention that it had to build off the successful gameplay changes of RE4.

How wrong I was.

First, i'd like to say that not everything is bad about RE5. Everything looks great, most notably the characters who i'd say are comparable to MGS4's fantastically emotive characters. Also, from the moment he first appears to the bit where he gets syringed in the final fight, Albert Wesker is one of the most perfect character in any video game universe ever. A hulking combination of super powers and smugness, Wesker is not only infinitely hateable but completely formidable. For anyone who hasn't played CVX, this is the same guy who had a ton of steel girders dropped on his head and shook it off like it was nothing more than a slap in the face. As baddies go, Wesker is one of the best out there. Or, was.

The thing which annoyed me the most about RE5 is that as a (potentially) closing chapter to this part of the Resident Evil franchise, it felt as if it was being written and controlled by someone who had no real idea about the characters or the storyline so far. The equivalent of Jonathan Mostow taking over from James Cameron in Terminator 3. The final scene demonstrates this complete lack of character development perfectly. You've got Wesker, the big bad since 1996, dying in a volcano and who is it who kills him? Chris Redfield and Sheva Alomar. Chris killing him makes sense, after all he was one of the intended victims of the Arklay Mountains outbreak but Sheva's involvement is insulting. She doesn't even know who Wesker is till halfway through the game. To make matters worse, Jill fucking Valentine, you know, the other main character from the first game as well as a main franchise player, is sitting right next to them in the helicopter willing to just let the man who she chased for years then was captured and experiment on by, be killed by someone else. Is there no desire for revenge in her heart? Not to bog this down too much with comparisons to other media, but it's the equivalent of Agent Smith being killed by some civilian at the end of Matrix Revolutions while Neo sits back and watches. And that complaint is without even going into detail on how pathetic that end is for Wesker. Getting hit by two rockets in the middle of a volcano seems incredibly impersonal considering the homoerotic rivalry between him and Chris.

I know after writing that, someone will bounce into the thread and give me the old 'It's just a video game. Have fun, dickhead' arguement, but coming right off MGS4 which tied up everyone's story so that every MGS game felt like it was part of one big, if messy, contrived and convoluted, story and actually rewarded me as a fan for sticking with it for years, I expected better from Resident Evil 5. Instead, what I got was a piss poor Resident Evil 4 remake made by people who loved MGS4 so much, that they couldn't tell the rhyme or reason behind the plot points, just that they needed to be copied:

• A bleach blonde haired ninja in an advanced bodysuit which allows the user to do gravity defying kung-fu. I'm talking about Raiden, right? Nope: Jill Valentine.
• Killing one of the bosses by sticking him with a needle full of a toxin that overpowers his system making him easily defeatable. I'm talking about Vamp, right? Nope: Albert Wesker.
• Opening in a desert town with a monologue about how the world is currently in peril. I'm talking about MGS4's Middle Eastern battlefield opeing, right? Nope: RE5's African war torn village Kijuju opening.
• Ending on a tanker in the middle of the sea full of the bad guy's troops before having a protracted fist fight with the bad guy himself. I'm talking about MGS4's final chapter, right? Nope: RE5's final chapter.

I agree with the principal behind a lot of the things you are saying, but honestly, Resident Evils plot became a joke after all those different contradictory epilogues in Resi 3: Nemesis. Imo the story ends at Resi 2 and everything else is just for fun.

Besides, I personally feel that Jill concentrating on flying the helicopter out of the volcano so they don't all die is probably a little more important to her in that scene than unstrapping herself, having an argument with Sheva and then grabbing the launcher. Especially after she made it clear she accepts she is no longer Chris' partner in an earlier scene. I personally was much more insulted by Weskers devolution into some cheap clone of Agent Smith.

I totally agree that any and all story the Resi series had has been irrevocably fucked beyond repair, but I disagree with the specific examples you use, as for Sheva herself, I feel from a gameplay perspective it was a good move, from a story perspective I didn't particularly like her either, but you can't blame her for simply appearing out of thin air. After all, that's part of what made the original Resi games so appealing, not only you, but also the characters had no idea what they were getting into. Maybe they were hoping to re-capture some of that with a new character.

As for making you feel like a badass instead of being scared, I think they made their intentions clear when they made Resident Evil 4. There is no horror to be had here anymore, it is purely action. I disagree that that should have happened, but nonetheless it has, so given that was what they were aiming for, you cannot fault them for placing the emphasis on action.

Also, I really wish people would stop talking about 'AAA' games in a way that implies it's some sort of award, or badge of honor. It's not, it's just a buzz term used by publishers to convey how much money they've put into the project. It means absolutely nothing to consumers, nor should it, and nor do they get to decide what is and is not 'AAA' or 'worthy of being AAA' it's a decision made by the publisher as part of their marketing process that is all. I really wish people would pay it less mind, but no, like any good marketing ploy or buzz term, it's doing it's job because uneducated people misunderstand it's true meaning. All it refers to is how big a games budget was, it's not subjective, it's not some kind of badge of honor, and it's not decided by the consumer or the journalism industry.

So you're saying that in the last half year or so of development, Capcom completely changed the game's story and levels to match that of MGS 4? That's nonsense.

You can't fault a game for taking elements from other games (look at Dead Space), but you CAN fault it when they take those elements and poorly implement them.  A lot of people found Resident Evil 5 to be an incredible game, especially when you look at the critical praise behind it, but you and me are part of a minority.  I think you wrote a pretty decent write-up here.

one word for you. Westernized. Resident Evil died with 4. Welcome to the mourner's club. 

" I agree with the principal behind a lot of the things you are saying, but honestly, Resident Evils plot became a joke after all those different contradictory epilogues in Resi 3: Nemesis. Imo the story ends at Resi 2 and everything else is just for fun.

Besides, I personally feel that Jill concentrating on flying the helicopter out of the volcano so they don't all die is probably a little more important to her in that scene than unstrapping herself, having an argument with Sheva and then grabbing the launcher. Especially after she made it clear she accepts she is no longer Chris' partner in an earlier scene. I personally was much more insulted by Weskers devolution into some cheap clone of Agent Smith.

I totally agree that any and all story the Resi series had has been irrevocably fucked beyond repair, but I disagree with the specific examples you use, as for Sheva herself, I feel from a gameplay perspective it was a good move, from a story perspective I didn't particularly like her either, but you can't blame her for simply appearing out of thin air. After all, that's part of what made the original Resi games so appealing, not only you, but also the characters had no idea what they were getting into. Maybe they were hoping to re-capture some of that with a new character.

As for making you feel like a badass instead of being scared, I think they made their intentions clear when they made Resident Evil 4. There is no horror to be had here anymore, it is purely action. I disagree that that should have happened, but nonetheless it has, so given that was what they were aiming for, you cannot fault them for placing the emphasis on action.

Also, I really wish people would stop talking about 'AAA' games in a way that implies it's some sort of award, or badge of honor. It's not, it's just a buzz term used by publishers to convey how much money they've put into the project. It means absolutely nothing to consumers, nor should it, and nor do they get to decide what is and is not 'AAA' or 'worthy of being AAA' it's a decision made by the publisher as part of their marketing process that is all. I really wish people would pay it less mind, but no, like any good marketing ploy or buzz term, it's doing it's job because uneducated people misunderstand it's true meaning. All it refers to is how big a games budget was, it's not subjective, it's not some kind of badge of honor, and it's not decided by the consumer or the journalism industry. "

" So you're saying that in the last half year or so of development, Capcom completely changed the game's story and levels to match that of MGS 4? That's nonsense. "

I'm gonna be short and blunt on this one to be honest, i've had a lengthy and draining discussion on this already recently.

Basicly, I agree with a lot of the points you are making fundamentally, about the state of storytelling in modern games. But I feel the specifics you are drawing issue from are, well, complete bollocks. I honestly don't see any problem with things like Jill not pulling the trigger, or Sheva's addition to the cast. There are plenty of other targets which actually make sense to attack such as the ridiculous plotline they put Jill through to put her in that position in the first place, the stupidly obvious Wesker double cross, the whole meeting between Spencer, Wesker and Chris/Jill thing, all of those things imo are more worthy targets than some bullshit about it being more 'poignant'  to have had Jill pull the trigger (I personally feel that her accepting Sheva was now your partner instead of her was a much more touching thing to do)

Also, Jills hair colour and face, all I can say if wtf.

Sure, Wesker had Matrix powers in CVX, but they didn't waste the potential of their new technology by ripping scenes from the matrix almost play-by-play, that's my issue with Wesker in this game.

In terms of sheer storytelling however, taken out of context of the rest of the series I honestly believe that despite continuation errors, Resident Evil 5 is one of the few shining examples of storytelling in modern videogames, especially with it's focus on design and it's significant advances in digital cinematography, as well as animation and facial/voice syncing. New technology such as the virtual camera allow such high degrees of flexibility and using real actors for the roles gives the characters such a convincing performance. I think I said in another thread that this is the only game i've ever seen where i've been totally convinced of all the characters eye movements, they look almost real and no other game has managed that yet. I feel that tech is wasted with bullshit scenes that might as well be pulled directly out of the matrix.

I also disagree yet again with your feelings on the term 'AAA' so what (you feel that) the game is mediocre, that doesn't affect the amount of money they spent at all. The end result is not what's being judged it's completely irrelevant how good the game is, or how the publisher feels about the end result. It's a term that shouldn't even ever need to be discussed or mentioned anywhere ever, it's just got another buzzword to get people talking smack, it literally means nothing in any context.

I feel for you, and agree with the fundamentals of what you are saying, I just hate to see your well thought out points go to waste complaining about bullshit specifics in a few scenes here or there, and to follow that up by misguidedly smack-talking about the game. Sure it feels dated when put next to Dead Space, but I think you're going overboard with the bashing in regards to sheer gameplay. It holds up pretty well as an action game even without certain upgrades. And what it lacks, it makes up for with those advances in cinematography and digital animation.

BUT GUYS! IT'S CO-OP!

I knida agree with TC

To make things short, RE5 is a good game, but it is also a very horrible piece of shit game.

My biggest issue with the game is the lack of suspense. There was nothing scary, or mysterious about it. I was waiting for a horde of zombies to be revealed at some point, but never happened. It reminded me of reading the epilogue of a good book. You already know what is going to happen, this just gives you more information to fill in the blanks.

If you like RE 4 & 5 more than the previous RE games, you are stupid.

" If you like RE 4 & 5 more than the previous RE games, you are stupid. "

"

If you like RE 4 & 5 more than the previous RE games, you are stupid.

"

I think you are digging a little too deep into this. But overall, some good points.

Does it really matter? It sold well, end of story, but for those of the hardcore, then yes I agree with the post. 
 
I liked it because I am very unfamiliar with the source material, I have no idea where it all started, never followed the story, so when RE5 came out, I liked it alot, but stopped playing after I got all the achievements I could salvage.

I actually really don't care for the controls in the game.  I am going to give it another try but I got frustrated right away because I hate that you can't cusomize them beyond four default configurations.  I can't run and use the right stick at the same time because i have to take my finger off the A button to put it on the right stick.  (XBOX).  Then you can't move while shooting and the laser sight is just way too difficult for hordes of enemies.  I keep getting killed by the huge guy with the hammer so I just keep running away.  What fun is that to just run away from enemies?   I also dislike you can't move while shooting. 
 
Ok-that said, its probably just my personal gaming tastes but I found Left for Dead way more fun even though it lacked any story. 

Skipped reading your post. I guess you hate because you can't move and shoot? 

" Skipped reading your post. I guess you hate because you can't move and shoot?  "

" Skipped reading your post. I guess you hate because you can't move and shoot?  "

@ HandsomeDead: Could have at least written spoiler warning.

The game did suck

(maybe some spoiler ) well first off they said the game wasnt gonna be horror more of a action kinda game saddly lets move on  when i was playing it i was getting more so irritated not so afraid to get hit by one of those biohaz mishap's. i have a xbox 360 and my friend had a ps3 and we switch off feeling the difference in the game and well yes it felt like MGS in ps3 as in XBOX it felt like you were playing GoW i miss the puzzels the camra angles  and Zombies i felt as if they just brought back the lickers for sum fan based shit just like in silent hill 5 with pyramid head (despise that game) wesker dying in a volcano was sadly funny cuz it was so dramatic. and all we can do is hope for a better game just like in silent hill five we have 
silent hill shattered memories to look forward to. plus you wonder why people arent still talking about RE5 BUWHAHA it got boycotted bad where i live

I agree completely with you OP, RE5 sucked massive balls, however, I think the new dlc will kinda improve the game, I hope we get to see some zombies and puzzles. :D

the funny thing is i pre-order my game and funny thing is my friend broke the figure by sitting on it Lol and the lil bag you get with it and the case is metal if im not correct i sold my copy since i was so upset with it.

Great post!

I enjoyed it. But I wasn't one of those people hyping it up. I went in looking to just have some fun and that I did.
 
I'm already on-board for the DLC.

I enjoyed the game very much, but I've never played any other RE game. Great co-op game.