Welcome to our Resident Evil 5 review. Resident Evil 5 is a third person survival horror action game with online co op and split screen multiplayer available on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and S, Nintendo Switch and PC. Developed and published by Capcom, Resident Evil 5 shifts the series toward a more action focused formula while continuing the long running bio terror storyline. Set in Africa, the campaign follows BSAA agents Chris Redfield and Sheva Alomar as they investigate a new viral outbreak that quickly escalates into a global threat tied to familiar faces from the franchise.
Here's where Resident Evil 5 delivers and where it comes up short, with 5 pros and 3 cons drawn from our full metric breakdown.
Metric Gamer scores Resident Evil 5 3.8/5 — "Resident Evil 5 earns a strong rating thanks to its polished combat, excellent co op implementation and replayable side modes. The shift toward action over horror may divide long time fans, and the narrative never quite reaches the heights of earlier entries, but the moment to moment gameplay remains consistently engaging. For those looking for a co op focused Resident Evil experience with tight shooting and satisfying progression, it remains one of the most accessible entries in the series."
Resident Evil 5 delivers responsive third person shooting with strong pacing across its chapter based structure. Weapon upgrades give steady progression without overcomplicating the system, and boss fights regularly force smart positioning and resource management. Combat encounters are frequent and satisfying, especially when playing with a partner. The shift toward action over horror slightly reduces tension, which keeps it from a perfect score.
The entire campaign is fully playable in online co op or local split screen, and the game clearly feels designed around two players. Encounters encourage teamwork through shared healing, covering fire, and coordinated damage during boss fights. The Mercenaries mode adds excellent replay value with score chasing and leaderboards. Solo play is solid, but the experience shines brightest with a real partner.
Customisation focuses mainly on weapon upgrades and loadout choices rather than deep character builds. Inventory sharing adds a tactical layer, especially during intense encounters. Unlockable costumes provide visual variety in the campaign, while in Mercenaries, they act as 'classes' with unique starting loadouts. The system offers flexibility, though it lacks true role differentiation between characters.
The remastered versions hold up well, with detailed character models and strong environmental design. Lighting and shadow work help maintain atmosphere, but the dated color filter can be a bit heavy on modern screens (unless modded).
The story continues the larger Resident Evil bio terror arc with returning characters and cinematic set pieces. The pacing keeps momentum high and ties into established franchise lore. However, the tone leans heavily into blockbuster action rather than slow burning horror. It expands the universe effectively, but lacks the subtle tension that defined earlier entries.
Discover more Horror games like Resident Evil 5 through our curated lists and collections that feature this title.
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Lead reviewer and award winning game modder. I have been gaming for almost 3 decades and genuinely love interacting with fellow gamers and sinking my teeth into the mechanics of the games I play.
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