Resident Evil 5

[Mamba Tabac]

Has anyone else played the demo of Resident Evil 5, that hit the XBox live marketplace today? I may give it another shot, but at the moment I have to say that I'm not impressed...

[MrMatthews]

There's a demo now? I'll give it a shot

[Mamba Tabac]

Yeah it was released today for Gold members only.

Here are my thoughts on it

Is it just me, or is it not tense or atmospheric AT ALL? Maybe some chilling parts will come later but based on what is shown here it doesn't seem menacing in the slightest.
Also - is it just me or are the controls...well...awful? It just seems so fiddly to move about. I know there are a few control setups but the default one is just not right. I mean - you have to press A to run, but since you turn with the right stick you can't turn while running? Ugh.
Now, I know this is true in all RE games, but seriously - why can't you move while aiming? I mean - you would be able to (in reality), so why can't you here? After playing a lot of 3rdPS's recently this feels like a step back.
Another thing that bothered me was the inventory system. It's in realtime. Which is fine - but the fact that all the options come up like 'use', 'combine' etc while you're in there just again doesn't seem right. Also, the inventory is semi-transparent which makes seeing some items a tad difficult. 'Is that a herb or an empty slot?' Yes, I know it tells you at the bottom - but in a rush while a zombie is chewing you're face it could definately do with being a bit more user friendly.

It's not all doom and gloom tho - the NPC AI seems fairly competant, and your character gets cut and bleeds at the exact point of impact, which is rather cool. It also feels a lot like RE4 to play - which is no bad thing.

I'll try the co-op a little later, but in my opinion it needs some work.

[TheEdge]

I think Matthews and I were talking about this a little while back.

RE:5 looks just like RE:4, They should have just called it RE:4.5

I think they are ditching the creepy atmosphere of the last ones and making it action based. I really don't like what they did with Chris Redfields character. He looks like some brain dead UFC fighter.

If you look at the gameplay videos you can see that the NPC's are slightly upgraded but retain the same movements. I.E. instead of slashing at you with a hatchet its a machete. Instead of stabing you with a pitch fork they are poking you with a shovel. I don't see too many upgrades. Looks like a rehash to me.

[Mr Smith]

The main Resident Evil games have been a pillar of good gaming since their conception many moons ago for the Playstation and have frequently maintained their very high standard. It saddens me if the series has taken a dip, although you could perhaps tell the series was moving in a different direction with the omission of many traditional things from Resident Evil 4, but that could be overlooked because the game was so bloody awesome.

[TheEdge]

Even though RE:4 was very different from the last it was a very good game but I am a little concerned that if they keep veering away it will be detrimental to the franchise.

Lets just say I'm not to thrilled about how RE:5 is coming out.

[Melf]

I was going to DL this from the Japanese marketplace before they region locked it, but I found the files online and burned it to a DVD. Funny that a stock 360 will play one without any mods. Something with the demo, perhaps?

I'll DL it tonight though. It's pretty awesome, and while it is basically the same as part 4 with better visuals, I'm ok with that because RE4 was incredible.

[Metal_Sonic]

I played the Japanese demo. I don't know about you guys but this game has horrible controls compared to other games, you'd think they would update them or redo them but I forget Capcom made this game.

[MrMatthews]

Looking forward to fully downloading this demo so I can see what you guys are moaning about (I'm at 25% right now!)

As long as it controls like RE4 I'll be happy.

Edit: Okay, so here's what I think.

The Good:
Graphics are awesome
I love the African setting
The animation of the barrels breaking has been improved, and looks cooler
I love being able to switch weapons without going into the pause menu
I like having the map in the HUD

The Bad:
Really sluggish controls! Christ, RE4 wasn't like this, was it? I had to go into the settings to crank up the aiming speed to "fastest" and it still didn't make a huge difference. Also, Chris walks really slowly.
Sheva. Goddamit, I don't want to work with a partner! RE4 was awesome because it pitted just Leon against hundreds and hundreds of enemies. Having a partner just takes away a lot of the tension. Also, she kept grabbing my shit!

[FoxHound]

I was very disapointed in the demo, and I am a huge RE fan. I was really waiting for this game to come out. I will not be getting it on day one if at all. And the online multiplayer shit I am not interested in. That failed with Outbreak.

[MrMatthews]

I'll have to see what the reviews are like. So far I would have to say that the multiplayer aspect is a game killer.

On a side note, I was relieved to see so many white enemies in the game. I would have cried foul if RE5 erroneously represented the African people as predominantly black.

[Mamba Tabac]

Right - I've played through the demo a couple of times now and I have at last got used to the controls. I have also now played the game with one of my friends over XBox live and I have to say that the game is MUCH better when played through in co-op. It seems there may be hope yet...

[MrMatthews]

But I don't want to play with a partner! Why couldn't Capcom simply be flattered by RE4's obvious influence on Gears of War and stick to the same formula? They didn't have to alter the gameplay completely by returning the favor.

I will still buy this game. That's a certainty. But I am disappointed with this new twist.

[InternalPrimate]

Looking forward to fully downloading this demo so I can see what you guys are moaning about (I'm at 25% right now!)

As long as it controls like RE4 I'll be happy.

Edit: Okay, so here's what I think.

The Good:
Graphics are awesome
I love the African setting
The animation of the barrels breaking has been improved, and looks cooler
I love being able to switch weapons without going into the pause menu
I like having the map in the HUD

The Bad:
Really sluggish controls! Christ, RE4 wasn't like this, was it? I had to go into the settings to crank up the aiming speed to "fastest" and it still didn't make a huge difference. Also, Chris walks really slowly.
Sheva. Goddamit, I don't want to work with a partner! RE4 was awesome because it pitted just Leon against hundreds and hundreds of enemies. Having a partner just takes away a lot of the tension. Also, she kept grabbing my shit!

It's the Wii difference!!! I've started to wonder if the controls would feel so slow had there never been a Wii edition of RE4.

[Mamba Tabac]

But I don't want to play with a partner! Why couldn't Capcom simply be flattered by RE4's obvious influence on Gears of War and stick to the same formula? They didn't have to alter the gameplay completely by returning the favor.

I will still buy this game. That's a certainty. But I am disappointed with this new twist.

Well you can't please 'em all I guess. I wonder if there will be some points in the game where you and your partner get separated - allowing for some tense moments. I guess we will all find out when the full game hits.