We Just Played Resident Evil 5 PC (now in 3D Vision)

[UPDATE: Friday 17 July - Capcom has confirmed that the PC version of Resident Evil WILL run on XP machines running DirectX 9. The company has clarified that DirectX 10 will be required ONLY for use with Nvidia's 3D Vision goggles. Apologies for any confusion.] We recently had a chance to see...

[UPDATE: Friday 17 July - Capcom has confirmed that the PC version of Resident Evil WILL run on XP machines running DirectX 9. The company has clarified that DirectX 10 will be required ONLY for use with Nvidia's 3D Vision goggles. Apologies for any confusion.]

We recently had a chance to see and try out the PC version of Resident Evil 5 at Capcom's California offices, running on both an upper-midrange rig and on a high-end rig with dual GeForce GTX 285 cards in SLI. Both machines were running Windows 7, though the game is planned to support both Windows 7 and Vista, as well as XP, at decently high resolutions, and while the lower-end machine had vsync enabled to keep the frame rate capped to work with the Nvviidia 3D Vision goggles we had handy, the higher-end box had the frame rate uncapped and ran the game at 1280x720x32 bit textures at frame rates of upward of 130-150 frames per second.


If your computer has the chops to run it at high performance levels, you'll be able to play Resident Evil 5 at frame rates in excess of 100 frames per second.

While the performance on the higher-end machine is more of a vanity accoutrement for those with space-age computers from the future, owners of decent computers will be able to experience good performance with crisp texturing and more importantly, full lighting (unlike the embarrassing PC port of Resident Evil 4, which shipped with stripped-down visual effects and no real allowances made for the PC's differing control schemes). Fortunately, that won't be the case with the PC version of RE5, which will have full support both for the USB Xbox 360 controller, as well as full-on mouse-and-keyboard free-look, just like your favorite PC-native first-person shooters. You can even switch controls on the fly--should you put down your USB controller and grab your mouse, the game will immediately recognize the change in input and also give differing contextual instructions onscreen (instead of instructing you to press your controller's blue X button to pick up that box of bullets, it'll instead prompt you to press your F key). The PC controls seem to work quite well and are very intuitive; while using a USB controller will activate the classic Resident Evil red laser gun-sight on your weapon to help you paint your targets, switching to a mouse-and-keyboard setup will turn off the laser sight and pull up a traditional targeting reticle with full, free mouse-look--without any console-style "sticky aim" or any other kind of aiming assistance. Using Chris Redfield's knife for close encounters or just to smash open barrels without wasting bullets will be a matter of pressing and holding the space bar to draw your knife, then left-clicking on your mouse (the default fire/attack input) to swing your weapon. What's most gratifying about the PC control scheme is that you don't have to use RE5's "real-time inventory" system, which would pull up your inventory in translucent windows onscreen right on top of the action and right before that raging zombie buried a knife in your face. Instead, you can swap weapons first-person-shooter style with the number keys on your keyboard. You can even reload by pressing the R key.

Aside from the better, more responsive controls, one of the more interesting new features of the PC version is support for Nvidia's 3D Vision goggles, which require you to have a monitor capable of running at at least a 120Hz refresh rate. 3D Vision in RE5 enables depth-of-field effects that appear to "layer" characters onscreen relative to where they're standing. For instance, the infamous execution scene that plays early on in the game actually looks like you're watching it from out of a window as Chris and Sheva are--nearer characters appear closer, while characters standing in the background appear to actually be standing farther away. The goggles also allow for "out-of-screen" effects (such as hurled hatchets that will actually fly toward you and appear to pop out of the screen or blood spatters that will splash up out of slain zombies and appear to momentarily fly out of your monitor). The setup we watched ran at a pretty consistent 30 frames per second with vsync enabled--the lower frame rate was a result of the 3D Vision effects, which actually render the game twice; once normally and once for 3D Vision. Obviously, in order to experience 3D Vision, you'll not only need a high-refresh-rate monitor, but you'll also need to own Nvidia's 3D Vision goggles. If you don't, but you have a fairly good computer, you'll be able to run at higher frame rates closer to 60 (or if you uncap vsync, possibly higher, in the hundreds). To get a sense of how your computer stacks up, you can use Nvidia's recently released Resident Evil 5 benchmark.


Chris and Sheva will have new outfits and a much more crowded Mercs difficulty level. All exclusive to the PC.

Aside from offering strong performance and good controls, Resident Evil 5 for the PC will offer the full experience of the original console versions, uncut. The PC version will also ship with exclusive content in the form of four brand new clothing outfits--two for Chris and two for his companion Sheva--as well as a new, even-harder difficulty level of the game's freeform Mercenaries mode that will triple the number of enemies in each map. It's still not exactly clear how the console's downloadable content (namely, Versus mode) will make its way to your PC--either out-of-the-box or as PC downloadable content--but we're told that the content will appear on the PC in some form, regardless.

Resident Evil 5 for the PC will be released on September 15 of this year. Though the base game will run on XP with DirectX 9.0c, playing the game with Nvidia's 3D Vision goggles will require a machine running DirectX 10 natively. So if you do have that kind of setup and the hardware to run it, you should keep an eye out for the game--it looks great, plays great, and seems to finally be a Resident Evil game built to play for the PC.

319 Comments

  • booty2k6

    Posted Sep 20, 2009 2:57 am PT

    okay with the computer setup they had why bother with 1280x720 resolution, with their set up id be running it at 1920 x 1080 or even 1920 x 1200 to me they made the screens look awful since at higher than HD res it should look alot better due to the image being sharper and crisper.

  • melisa06

    Posted Sep 16, 2009 5:04 pm PT

    Very cool thank you very much..
    http://www.gelsesli.com/

  • melisa06

    Posted Sep 15, 2009 8:04 pm PT

    Very cool thank you...
    sesli sohbet
    sesli chat

  • Nar1

    Posted Sep 9, 2009 9:14 pm PT

    mouse function! Hell yeah!

  • Megatron_1

    Posted Sep 2, 2009 6:49 pm PT

    every Resident Evil game i ever played from PS1 to GC & to pc now every thing is better now PC kicks every thing in back of it down town lol

    RE is the best game ever!

  • labub_007

    Posted Sep 2, 2009 9:51 am PT

    waiting 4 this one

  • hibikino

    Posted Aug 29, 2009 9:37 am PT

    I can't wait to play the game with my friends on the PC! Not many of us own a console.

  • PrateekBikers

    Posted Aug 25, 2009 7:11 am PT

    cool hai yaar!!!!

  • souleater289

    Posted Aug 23, 2009 2:14 pm PT

    I'm I the only one that likes Chris's new custome?

    It's smexy

  • gtxkaka

    Posted Aug 17, 2009 10:05 am PT

    best game of the year resident evil 5

  • WillyChong

    Posted Aug 17, 2009 6:49 am PT

    I try the RE 5 benchmark system on my laptop, average 25.5 fps in overall high, texture medium and shadow low. Not 100% great but the game itself still good to look at and can play without any slow down or lagging. I guess I kinda lucky My bor's PC, you don't want to know(average 84.5 fps darn fast :O )

  • mramz88

    Posted Aug 14, 2009 7:17 am PT

    they clearly stated u need a 120hz refresh rate monitor. so no. my 22inch monitor at 1680X1050 res runs at 60hz. if u want to play in 3d vision id imagine ud have to turn the resoultion down a lot.

  • HaRiZ420

    Posted Aug 5, 2009 12:12 pm PT

    Anyone know if monitors with 60hz refresh rate will be able to work with the 3D goggles?

  • babawale09

    Posted Aug 3, 2009 8:11 am PT

    I like to download the software on my pc so that i can play it adn see how it is ..

  • DEVIL-JIN999

    Posted Jul 28, 2009 9:57 pm PT

    oh yeah maybe there will be a new weapons

  • DEVIL-JIN999

    Posted Jul 28, 2009 9:54 pm PT

    always the pc is the best u can add some more stuff problem is that it took so long to release >.>"

  • masterds64

    Posted Jul 27, 2009 8:27 am PT

    ...this might just run on my laptop..JUST!

    It can barley do halo 2, doom 3, and quake 4 (last 2 on medium settings...)

    2GHZ is max-hope it works

  • SOUTHxSYDExKING

    Posted Jul 27, 2009 6:08 am PT

    ONLY FOR PC !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *Crys* Why not xbox?

    Ahh well, i hope that they could come out with a new multiplayer mode and all for the xbox i mean mercs.......... well im always chris cuz he has the good weapons. i just dont understand why we cant pick wich character we want and the weapons?! If things dont change in RE 5 for xbox then im just selling the Game.. TO THE Ebay.....

  • seanto

    Posted Jul 25, 2009 1:57 pm PT

    http://website.ws/seansykes1 all you need to after you sign up for free

  • -FAmas-

    Posted Jul 24, 2009 8:00 pm PT

    awesome. RE4, with the graphical and control mods of course, was heaven and I look forward to this.

  • kvothe1177

    Posted Jul 24, 2009 7:12 pm PT

    wonder if this will work on my computer... AMD Phenom x4, 5gb ram, Nivida 9400 w/t 256mb dedicated, windows vista premium 64 bit. I know i can't do the 3d cause of my moniter, so i don't even need to know that. but can i run this game on medium or high graphics?

  • DUUUUUUDEn51

    Posted Jul 24, 2009 11:30 am PT

    maaan, there's no way this thing is going to run on my Pentium 4. LOL

  • muthnna90

    Posted Jul 24, 2009 7:13 am PT

    this game is good but i dont need this support on pc because i was played on my ps3

  • amarpalsingh

    Posted Jul 24, 2009 3:42 am PT

    resident 4 is great game but i think this game is awesome.

  • MrLions

    Posted Jul 24, 2009 2:45 am PT

    Guess I gtg to fry's and get that video card
    Great news great news
    And thank god for mouse support .... Glad to see they learned from their mistakes

  • Vanine_28

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 11:10 pm PT

    @ -Unreal-

    Its completely different then the old ugly and Gimmicky setup they had years ago. Its the best 3D i have ever seen. The 3D at the Movies isent even the same thing. This is great 3D with minimal ghosting. I highly recommend it. Full 3D cinematics is just unreal !!

  • Starsailor_IT

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 10:25 pm PT

    very nice news.

  • -Unreal-

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 10:11 pm PT

    They've had 3D glasses for PC games for several years now. Just so the ones that are saying "wow 3d for games now" know.
    Maybe not on this level of quality though. I've not tried nVidia's 3D setup yet.

  • Hammershock6

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 9:43 pm PT

    If this game has online co-op id buy it, but sincei already played it with my m8 on xbox360 I wouldent see the point otherwise its so much better with 2 players

  • marcus_yash

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 7:40 pm PT

    which month RE5 going to be released

  • sadsddasdasdsad

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 4:44 pm PT

    I've played this game on xbox 360,and to be honest it looked MUSH MORE GOOD.I'm not a XBOX360 FAN,i play PC games,from strategy to gore action horror.but this game looks best on consoles.(that is my opinion from what i've seen in these screenshots).

  • mohad1

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 3:32 pm PT

    مو ما أبو الحماس

    nice game

  • vollkerball

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 5:27 am PT

    i'm so HAPPY my pc is still capable of
    running this game

  • Juliandavidea86

    Posted Jul 22, 2009 11:30 pm PT

    when the zombie think lose the objetive

    What is the next the virus infect aliens and predators? the name will be Resident evil : Humans + Aliens + Predator Vs Virus?

    No matter how many effort for the best graphics or controllers when the history is garbage ... The best Resident fan before the zombies begin to think

  • Vanine_28

    Posted Jul 22, 2009 8:48 pm PT

    I've shown so many people the Demo in 3D and there all just blown away by it.. Truly this is some of the best 3D i have seen in all the games. Its even on par with left 4 Dead. If you guys are avid PC gamers i would consider getting this bundle. Its being sold at Nvidias website for $600.00 .It comes with the 22 inch monitor and the glasses + IRC transmitter. I know its alot but if you love gaming like me you will find yourself not regreting the purchase. it has completely changed the way games are for me and i find myself going back to old school games and playing them all over again for what seems like the first time. That's how much of a difference it is in 3D. I'm just so blown away by this..wow. When i showed by bud today, after watching it in 3D all he said was " How much is it , and were can i buy it?" Its really that good!!

  • orashi

    Posted Jul 22, 2009 6:39 pm PT

    the game is aoswme .
    the show of the game a+

  • SamSpike

    Posted Jul 22, 2009 10:42 am PT

    seriously... Who plays games on a 1280x720 res. when they have a Geforce GTX 280?

  • ChiuahuadaSara

    Posted Jul 22, 2009 10:30 am PT

    requisits ?

  • Vanine_28

    Posted Jul 22, 2009 12:27 am PT

    Hey guys, i see many of you are worried about if you can run this game on your system. I would recommend downloading the Benchmarking Demo they have.
    You can pick it up here and give your system a run threw and see what she puts out for FPS. here is the link. http://www.nzone.com/object/nzone_re5_downloads.html

    Hope you guys can run this game, and the Demo is not just to test the FPS when in 3D it will work for regular 2D as well.So test those rigs out guys!!

  • arshad01993

    Posted Jul 21, 2009 11:35 pm PT

    hey can i play it at low setting in nvidia 7300GT and ram 1gb?? i can play dmc 4 and lost planer in high setting and without any lagging. plzzz tell me wanna to know

  • renaldy75

    Posted Jul 21, 2009 11:28 pm PT

    i have 2 video card GTX 295 SLi... and an INTEL i7 cpu ...more than they have making the game...

  • kudunaon posted Jul 21, 2009 10:03 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    kudunaon

    Posted Jul 21, 2009 10:03 pm PT (hide)

    can this game played on Playstation 1..if cannot,please give me link to download"war game" for P S1.

  • Hekynn

    Posted Jul 21, 2009 6:46 pm PT

    NIce.

  • tatapo

    Posted Jul 21, 2009 5:50 pm PT

    knightboy..you are damn right man this is a raiders and grimy outfit from fallout 3! wtf is capcom and bethesda togheter now?? ^^

  • memitojeremy

    Posted Jul 21, 2009 5:37 pm PT

    Stereoscopic 3D with DirectX 10 hu! I guess I'll stop the windows bashing for a few years and get Win 7

  • djstrokes

    Posted Jul 21, 2009 5:36 pm PT

    mm i have a geoforce 8600 gt 1gb , 2gb ram , core 2 duo, 2.0 ghz , can i run it???

  • Vanine_28

    Posted Jul 21, 2009 4:51 pm PT

    I have Nvidias 3D Bundle and my Rig runs this in 3D with a breeze . Wana know how it looks ? Well you're going to have to spend the $600 on the setup and another $200 on a video card to find out.. I'm not gonna tell you. Just Kidding !!. So far its one of the best 3D games out there that i have seen . But one problem ..Theres no pop out. However there is talk that the final release will have pop out in it. I thought Left 4 Dead looked good in 3D this game just looks amazing and the cut scenes in 3D are just unreal !!. Full 3D ready game. Unbelievable.

  • Kyle8275

    Posted Jul 21, 2009 4:31 pm PT

    so how would u get the 3d glasses for this awesomely crazy cool game?

  • knightboy1012

    Posted Jul 21, 2009 4:27 pm PT

    Cool. Im a serious PC Gamer and get every good PC game and keep it for awhile. (I get them legally)!!!! I had a PS3 but it messed up so im back to PC for awhile. I heard rumors about this game coming to PC today and figured id check out the hands-on. I cant wait!!!! And is it just me or does Chris look like a raider from Fallout 3 and Sheva look like a woman with a Grimy Buisness Suit from Fallout 3 on??? LOL.

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