So Capcom and Microsoft and whoever else have earned some kudos in my book before the game is even out of the wrapper. Yes, style points definitely count and this 360 is FABBBBBUUUUUULOUS!

First off, you don’t want anything to do with this game if you aren’t going to be playing it through at least a few times, because the game is designed to give you a better experience the more you play. The high replay value stems not from any one facet of the game, because everything about the game is designed to contribute to continued playability. The cinematics are beautiful from the get go, and everything you would expect from the Resident Evil title – creepy, gruesome and explosively violent, more and more so as the game progresses.

The scenery in the game is all interesting, but some chapters are certainly prettier than others! The maps are rich in detail, and while you may find it counterintuitive for a game with any ties to the survival horror genre to take place largely out of doors and in bright sunlight, don’t be fooled by appearances. The path often appears deceptively easy, only to leave you running into dead ends and wondering where you could possibly have gone so terribly wrong, as you collapse into a bloody heap screaming for your partner who is nowhere to be found, off on the other end of the convoluted maze you so confidently blundered into. I can’t speak to the level of challenge involved in navigating Resident Evil 5 as compared to other Resident Evil games. But I can say that the maps provide players with a high level of variety in the scenery and the layout, which makes the process of exploring interesting and enjoyable, not to mention highly profitable in terms of the treasures and other goodies you can find.

These treasures, which include jewels, masks, gold, and other enticing items, are another aspect of the game which adds to its high replay value. Some treasures are hidden throughout the maps, while others drop off of certain enemies when they are slain. You may then choose to sell your treasures to purchase needed items like health spray, bullets and weapon upgrades. The weapon upgrades also add a great deal to replay value. The fact that the guns start out really frustrating and terrible is offset by the joy of finding newer and more powerful weapons and maxing out their upgrade potential.

The character outfits are decent enough on the first play through, but I have a feeling not many players will be switching back to the originals once they unlock Chris’ sexy S.T.A.R.S. uniform and Sheva’s bare midriff. The tribal costume you can unlock for Sheva is a masterpiece of gaming, and if you feel the need to dress her up, there is a ‘club costume’ option available as well. Honestly, you can’t experience the game in its true unapologetic glory until you’ve walked or trotted every inch of every map in Sheva’s high heels, with your loincloth flapping up to offer peeks at her very best assets. As I played the game for the first time, I was always conscious that, as soon as I was finished, I could unlock Sheva and have her prancing across my screen in HD – this knowledge fueled my lust for zombie blood, hardening my resolve to destroy everything that stood between me and this delightful creature. Granted she is always present as your AI partner, but it’s just not the same when you aren’t controlling her yourself, up close and personal. Suffice it to say, the designers responsible for Sheva should be very proud of themselves in my opinion. Very proud indeed.

Sheva is really smart and talented.

Speaking of the Artificial Intelligence in Resident Evil 5, it’s very good. It can’t compete with the experience of playing co-op mode with a skilled human being, but that’s not really a relevant criticism. The AI is very good at serving your needs in whatever situation you may find yourself in; all it takes is a little bit of planning on your part. Load your AI partner up with a good gun and plenty of ammo if you need some assistance getting through a tough fight. The AI will adjust their game play to suit the weapon(s) you provide them with. The AI can be a lifesaver quite often early on in the game when you have poor weapons and ammo is in short supply. Later on, when you have your choice of a powerful arsenal, you can use them as a mule for storing ammunition, items and weapons. If you feel that the AI is hogging too many of your kills, simply take their gun away and load them up with health spray – voila, you have your own personal medic. Essentially, the AI partner can be adapted to suit your exact needs and wishes. And if your strategy for getting the most out of your computer controlled comrade should fail, leaving you to your grisly death, you have the chance to make changes to their equipment and inventory before you head back into the fray.

Co-op mode isn’t just an option as for RE5 as far as I’m concerned, but the best way to fully enjoy the game. As much as I appreciate what the developers accomplished with their AI, the adventure truly comes alive as you battle alongside another player. Your AI partner is more than adequate to help you through the game if you are playing solo, however, so if you’re a lone wolf you’ll still have a great experience.

There are some elements in this game which I found a little bizarre at first, such as the library of figurines which you can unlock and .. look at? My first thought was that collecting figurines and looking at them isn’t something I want to do much of in real life, let alone in a video game! But on the other hand, the figurine library is all part of the system of points in RE5 which I actually like quite a lot. The game scores you on your performance in a chapter out of four possible grades, based on your kill totals, speed of completion, accuracy and the number of times you die. You are awarded points for your performance every time you finish a chapter. These points can then be spent toward the purchase of figurines, or unlocking unlimited ammo for different weapons, or what have you. So if you want to set some additional challenges for yourself there are any number of ways to do it; it’s really all up to you. This grading system is a nice way of rewarding skilled play, and it helps keep the game interesting as you find yourself playing certain levels over and over again. And yes, I eventually expect to unlock every last figurine and I’m sure I will be excessively proud of myself when I do so!

I like her a lot she's a good person!

Getting back to the topic of guns, I do recommend playing the game with a buddy who has all of the big sexy guns and unlimited ammo already, if you can. I know the Resident Evil series has its roots in the survival horror genre, but the fifth installation does depart from that. There are people on the internet who claim to play resident evil 5 solo with unlimited ammo turned off, but I am not nor will I ever become one of those people. I’m not about to be told I can’t use the biggest most powerful gun possible! Yet I’ll willingly use pistols in original left 4 dead because I’m hardcore like that. The real fun in this game to my mind is in getting your mitts on the biggest sexiest guns possible and blowing stuff the hell up. And there are some very big and some very sexy guns in this game to be sure! If you are a weapon fetishist, er, aficionado like me, Resident Evil 5 is chock full of delights. I never get tired of looking at my Lightning Hawk, and after you unlock your very own rocket launcher with unlimited rockets, your life will never be the same. I promise.

This is just a brief overview of the things which stand out to me about Resident Evil 5. If I were to attempt a really exhaustive analysis of the game, I’m not sure I would ever finish finding things to talk about. So instead I will simply offer some closing thoughts on the game as a whole. The more I play Resident Evil 5, and the more I think about it, the more I come to appreciate the meticulous planning and marvellous execution by producer Jun Takeuchi and his team at Capcom. Resident Evil 5 boasts a rich layering of elements which enable the player to bring many different approaches to the game experience: leisurely exploration, treasure hunting, speed runs, whatever takes your fancy at any given time. Even as you play the same maps over and over, there are many areas where you are able to make continued progress. RE5 is as solid an investment as any for gamers who like to know that they’ll still feel like grabbing it off the shelf and having another go at it every now and again. In that sense, Resident Evil number 5 has not rested on the family laurels, but has added its own distinctive mark to the great Resident Evil tradition. It is a standout in the Third Person Shooter genre, and a game well worth getting to know.