Resident Evil 5 Demo.

[Cless Aileron]

I managed to play the demo for Resident Evil 5 released recently on Japan's Xbox Live Marketplace.  Now, I should say right now that they have officially region locked the demo so only Japanese IPs are able to download it, so don't try to use a Japanese account to download it unless you're actually living in Japan or something.

However, the demo got out there on the internet and can be downloaded on a computer, burned to a disc and still run on the 360 like any other demo (Which makes me wonder if this is how Official Xbox Magazine manage to distribute assorted 360 demos with their magazine).  That's how I got to play the demo.  Maybe I'll bring it up in details later (Besides, I don't know if Cless, the only one I can immediately think of around here interested in RE5, got to the demo already in one way or another).

Anyway, onto the actual demo with some first impressions.

It takes what Resident Evil 4 did and alters a few things about it.  Inventory is managed in real time, meaning you get no breathing time when having to equip a shotgun.  Also, you're limited to 8 spots.

It was pretty difficult dealing with a computer controlled partner but that was because I'm not used to having one fight alongside me (unlike escorting Ashley in RE4).  There were moments where she died and had to help her with either an herb or resuscitating her.  Not to mention, making sure she had ammo to use with her gun.

There's also supposed to be the other control scheme that are almost in line with Gears of War (i.e.  holding the Left Trigger to get into aiming mode and firing with the Right Trigger).  I haven't tried it myself because I stuck with the scheme more in line with Resident Evil 4.

I'd love to try the co-op part of the game but I don't have anyone to do it with for the time being.

It looks like Resident Evil 5 is more of the good stuff from its previous installment.  Maybe I'll talk more about it when I actually clear the demo.  It's looking to be great.

Oh yeah, where I stopped playing, I ended up getting Chris Redfield killed by one of those chainsaw wielders but the beheading isn't shown (Chris's head is off screen when it happens), unlike with non-Japanese versions of RE4 where you end up seeing Leon's head cut off, on the ground and not off screen.

[Cless]

I've only played the first level. I'm not entirely sure what to think of it just yet.

The game really looks amazing. No complaints with the visuals.

However, so far, I'm REALLY not feeling this partner business. To be honest, so far I think I preferred escorting Ashley in RE4. Sheva actually manages to be much higher maintenance.

Going back to a regular controller is proving harder than I thought, too. RE4 Wii spoiled me with its superior aiming. Anyway, before I started the game, I immediately put it on RE4-style controls (tank controls with this camera do not bother me at all. They worked flawlessly after getting used to them in RE4, and I'd rather play this with a familiar control scheme). Even so, I'm having a hard time adjusting the scheme to the 360 controller. I don't like using the trigger for aiming, it feels a little off, and I'd prefer the fire button to be *A*, not X. I wish I could plug in a GameCube controller and use that.

Real-time inventory is also weird. I guess they had to do it for co-op.

So far, the stuff added or changed for co-op is souring my experience a little. It also manages to feel a bit more actiony than RE4, too, and perhaps less creepy. I'm not yet entirely sure how to use the environment to my advantage yet, but maybe I'll figure something out when I get more used to it.

I'm personally hoping the PC version comes to fruition. I should be able to use a GameCube controller with that, and my PC should be capable of running it at a full 1920x1080/60FPS.

[Joseph]

I'm sure the final version will have configurable controls. I'd personally rather shoot with a trigger than any of the face buttons.

Real-time inventory sounds interesting, and it could result in some real  "OH SHIT!" moments. Don't like what I'm hearing about the co-op, though.

[Kogahazan]

Was playing it last night. I agree with Cless when he says it's more action-oriented than RE4. I see the action as adding more tension.

I too was playing with RE4 style controls and it took me a while to get used to how they switched the shoot and run buttons from the GCN scheme/PS2 Type B scheme. That led to a few unfortunate moments where I try to shoot and I just stand there or reload. Not fun when a giant pyramid head knockoff is inching toward you. Controls otherwise preserve RE4 controls. If you're a little too used to the Wii version's quick aiming, then the next best thing is to crank up the aiming speed to Fastest. You can zip across your immediate range of sight quickly, although turning speed seems to be the same as regular. Feels like vertical turning speed seemed to be faster.

Sheva was more or less helpful to me. For me, she only really managed to get herself into the Dying state when we were fighting the giant axe dude in the first level or the chainsaw dude in the second. Also I just let her manage the healing items since she will be in your general area most of the time and I can't be bothered to stop myself and whip out and use meds in real time when getting swarmed. Also remember if you don't like how Sheva's AI handles herself, get a friend to play her.

For the real-time inventory, I don't know if it's just not being mentioned but you can use the D-Pad to quick-switch between four items. That saves you from the time it takes to navigating your menu as well as from the menu obstructing your view. The game does this for you when you pick up new things, as in, it puts usable items like weapons and healing items in the up/down/left/right slots and puts ammo and other things in the center and diagonal slots.

Sharing inventory doesn't seem so bad to me. The only thing I found weird about it was that when requesting or giving supplies, it's all or nothing. A little troublesome when you want only one grenade but she gives you all she has. Though grenades specifically wasn't much of a problem, especially since I didn't see her use any of her grenades each time I played.

To me, so far it seems to be a refinement of RE4 with some experimental partner mechanics. I'm actually a little sick of RE4 after playing through multiple times, so this freshens it up for me nicely.

[navydude]

Sounds orgasmic lol... can't wait till it comes out

[Cless Aileron]

Considering the demo is officially on North America's Xbox Live Marketplace, I decided to dive into it again and I actually got to try the co-op mode with a friend this time (local/splitscreen, but I am going to try the online aspect with my 360 owning friend).  So bumped topic ahoy!

After getting my friend's controls set up (he went with the Gears of War-style Type D, while I continue to use traditional RE4 controls), we got going in the first level.  I realized he was using the rifle with a "just blow their brains out" style.  After dying many times, I decided to give him shotgun duty, since I was more about tactical survival than "just blow their brains out" (making every shot count, using the knife at a good time and using action prompts when possible, the same way I played RE4).  It worked out better for the both of us.  I also really made sure to talk to him about surviving the enemies and I really talked about what to do a lot, more so than other moments ("Watch out for the executioner!"  "I have shotgun shells!  Let's get to a safe spot and I'll give them to you!").  We actually manage to revive each other nicely and lead each other to run for a much better tactical spot.  I have to say, the co-op made for more intense moments ("I'm coming to revive you!  Hang in there!")

I got a great impression from the co-op aspects, especially after learning to get used to the mechanics in single player.  I'll like to feel the experience online (where I certainly will not have the handicap to look on my friend's screen and warn them about highly dangerous enemies).  So, I'm happily going to await March's Friday the 13th for this game.  In the meantime, if anyone wants to try the demo in co-op with me, just contact me on Xbox Live (make sure to tell me who you are, so I don't think you're some random person).  And get the Resident Evil CG movie on Blu Ray.