I'm simply torn right down the middle with Resi 5.

User Rating: 9.5 | Resident Evil 5 X360
I really don't know what I think about this installment to a great series. It's one of those situations where you either love it or hate it.

The idea of playing in Africa is a great touch and a nice change running through the poverty-stricken streets in broad daylight rather than the usual 'dead-of-night' time. Although the feeling of playing in daylight is good, the feeling of tension doesn't seem as strong.

The controls are at first, quite clunky and heavy. But after half an hour, I got used to how Chris could run, shoot and fight etc. I know a lot of people wanted a more agile and flexible character but I think it feels a bit better when you are controlling a character that looks solid to the earth rather than running and sliding all over the place. I have no problems there.

The visuals are gorgeous at all times and everything has an authentic, natural texture to it that makes it kind of breathe. Characters all look real and express moods perfectly by both voice and facially (most accurate I thought was Sheva's friend Josh).

Sheva is a nice touch to the game and I must be honest, she is the most intelligent A.I companion I have ever seen! She heals Chris whenever his health is critical or resusitates him whenever he needs that too. She also is tremendous during combat to. She always responds to what you want her to do and attacks the right enemy at a given time. Occasionally I noticed that she uses a weapon which isn't suitable for that moment. For example: Sheva would carry a long-range sniper rifle during close-range battles when a shotgun is full-stocked! Other than that, she is the best computer-controlled character I've ever played along side.

Overall, it is obvious that Resident Evil 5 has been designed with quality and care, but it's also apparent that the game has been designed with a bit of nervousness in mind too. I think because the designers struck gold with the ideas of Res. 4, almost everything has been transported over to the next-gen consoles through fear of changing a winning formula. Whilst this is perfectly understandable, the gaming world is very demanding and we need constantly fresh ideas, new concepts and different formulas. Now because Res. 5 does follow a winning formula, it still does follow the previous game's formula nonethless and a little too much at that. Which is why I can't give this game a perfect 10. A great action adventure game though.