Resident Evil 5's already-short length isn't really made much better even with the DLC that comes with the Gold Edition.
Sadly, the same can't be said for the fifth game several years down the line. The Survival Horror genre has evolved into more of a third-person shooter, and that is the central basis of this game. While it does incorporate some pretty nasty-looking enemies and while it does sport the usual blood and gore, those don't really make the game as creepy as it could've been. I've seen and heard enough of RE4 to know that ever since that game, the franchise has been leaning more towards an action-shooter.
And while this isn't a bad thing, Resident Evil 5 is pretty light on scares. However, what did save me from returning the game back to the store for a refund (or to buy a different game) was the great story and characters. Also, I was looking forward to the bonus DLC included for free with the Gold Edition of the game. So I decided to press on with a friend and experience the game for ourselves, in cooperative play.
There's the standard Resident Evil characters, who look familiar but have changed since their last appearance. Chris Redfield of the BSAA has returned, and he's pretty ripped this time around. Back in the first game, he was just a normal guy, but now his biceps can even match Popeye's. Chris is also paired with a partner, Sheva Alomar, to investigate the strange occurrences going on in a small African town. Considering how this is Africa, the things that you're quite used to from the previous games are probably subject to change. Most strikingly, the game is a stark contrast when compared to its predecessors - the majority of the game takes place in broad daylight. This completely demolishes the scare factor, but there are those moments when a zombie grabs you from behind and you never see it coming.
Resident Evil 5's story is well-written and is exceptionally well-paced. It all plays out like a movie, like all of the Resident Evil titles, and the hot and gritty atmosphere of Africa adds to the feeling that heat waves are literally burning your television screen. The voice-acting is terrific in almost every way and the cinematic music accompanies each and every action-packed, explosive set-piece. Sheva Alomar's native accent sounds impressively real, and Chris' voice sounds just right - like a standard Hollywood action hero.
Resident Evil 5 succeeds in many areas. The music is top-notch, and whether it's the ambient tapping of the African drums to the heavily orchestrated action sequences, everything sounds awesome. The sounds of the zombies screaming in their native languages seem authentic and genuine. The visuals are some of the best I've ever seen on the system, and the lighting effects from the harsh sunlight to flickering lights in the dark hallways of a deserted laboratory are jaw-dropping. Real-time shadows make up some of the scary moments, and they are all used effectively. Capcom definitely nailed it with the music/sound and visuals department. It all works so well to make such an atmospheric, creepy game - but not as creepy as it could've been.
The partner system works well, especially when a human player is controlling the other character. However, when you've got no-one to play with, the AI will take over. And let me say this: it is some of the worst AI I've ever seen. Your partner will waste bullets shooting things that are already dead, and will heal you with an herb even if you've just got a scratch. It's ridiculous, and this issue really was a let-down, considering how it was pretty cool to have someone watch your back for you.
The story - albeit short - has some good fun. Unfortunately, there's no real incentive to go back through it again. However, the extra replay value from the Gold Edition (the DLC episodes that had to be purchased on the standard edition of RE5 but can be unlocked for free when certain conditions are met in-game) does offer more to the table. The extra content varies. There's the two DLC episodes: Desperate Escape and Lost in Nightmares, and then there's the extra Mercenaries: Reunion. In addition, there's extra figurines that are exclusive to the Gold Edition. It may seem like a lot, but when you realize how fast you blaze through these extras, you'll wish there was more. The extra content should be of marginal interest to casual gamers, but hardcore fans of Resident Evil would probably want these goodies.
The game does feature online cooperative play for each mode, and there's a Versus mode that comes with the Gold Edition. Players here can either kill each other or compete for kills, if I'm correct. I never tried it - so I wouldn't know.
I just don't think Resident Evil 5 was up to par like its predecessors. It just seemed too short to me, and the disappointing extras of the Gold Edition didn't give me much incentive to play through it again. The Mercenaries mode was fun with friends, but it does get boring. Resident Evil 5's already-short length isn't really made much better even with the DLC that comes with the Gold Edition. Everything seemed too slapped-on and unimpressive when it came to the downloadable episodes and I was left wanting more. I just wish the game was a little more scarier, or a little bit longer.
Otherwise, if you're the type of person who loves Resident Evil, zombies, or action-shooters, you should probably give Resident Evil 5: Gold Edition a rental rather than a justified purchase. And if you do decide to play this game, expect you and your partner to be able to hold your own and stand your ground, and survive in Africa where your screams won't be heard.
"We're partners. To the end."