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Resident Evil has become a household name for survival horror games. Through the years, Resident Evil has brought a type of game that feels as if your playing a horror movie. The newest installment to the Resident Evil family, Resident Evil 5, brings a slight twist to the game play. You play as ex S.T.A.R.S agent, Chris Redfield, now a B.S.A.A agent (An anti-bio-weapon agency). Chris finds himself in Africa going after a tip that a weapons dealer will be making a deal. Chris meets up with Sheva Alomar, a B.S.S.A from the area, and in almost no time at all they find themselves in hot water with the locals.

As Chris, you work your way solving the mystery of the weapon that is Uroboros. The story is well told with flashbacks as well as various notes, letters, and terminals found throughout the game. The cut scenes and various action sequences not only look stunning, but are also great fillers in the story.  The fighting style may take some time to getting used to, buy necessary. The only way to shoot is to stop entirely. There is no way of running and shooting at all. This adds to the suspense and fear that the game is known for. This is also necessary because the game seems to fall short in the frightening factor. The game series is known for its classic horror, but this time, something seems to be missing. While playing with the computer, who is of rather decent intelligence, the game can make you jump in a sudden shock of fear here or there, but with a human teammate, fear is almost gone. Playing with a teammate makes the game more exciting and is very fun to upgrade the weapons, and trade items, mid-battle. In every battle, you have to work with your teammate. Using teamwork is the only way to survive in this game. Whether it be Chris with the sniper and Sheva destroying with the shotgun or vice versa, conversing with your teammate or making sure you know where they are at all times, makes all the difference.

The game can take a while to beat, and with its unlock able, the game can be played for even longer. After your beat the game, you can play the game again (on a different difficulty or the same), but this time with the same weapons you had before. With the new guns and unlock able set ups, such as infinite ammo, the game can be played over and over with new weapon set ups. Also with the game beaten, you unlock mercenaries mode. Mercenaries mode is a game type that sends swarms of enemies at you. The main point being stay alive for as long as you can. Though it seems simplistic, the mode is quite addicting and even more fun when with a friend, who is screaming as they are being chased by a zombie with a hammer the size of a car.

The game lives up to its title in graphics, fun, and great story, but falls short in fear. Playing with a friend makes this game much more enjoyable, but at the same time, takes away even more from the little fear already there. The game play is hard to manage if it’s not used to, but over time is very fun. The game does deliver much enjoyment and with a main character named Chris, how could I give it a bad review? Overall I give it 1 out of 5 Chezwicks.