First topic:- Resident Evil 5

First off this game is good. If you like action packed shooters, buy it. If you like co-op games, buy it. Or if you really must know what happens in the Resident Evil story then you have to buy it.

But what I must say is this game is not not what Resident Evil is (or was) about. It is NOT scary and seriously the tagline "Fear you won't forget"... just get over yourself Capcom it is not the same series.

Oh but of course let me correct myself. It is the same. VERY much so with respects to Resident Evil 4. Now while this for it's time was an excellent game, (It is the only game that made me play the hard mode after I had to unlock it) could it be too much to ask for Capcom to maybe improve upon a sequel. Especially one that is hopping up a generation of consoles. I mean the Gamecube played Resi 4, what is so big and bad about Resi 5 apart from the graphics that the Wii can't handle?

Ok not actually knowing technical details (and for the sake of the dramatic nature of it) that last comment should not be taken 100% seriously. But the fact is Resi 5's only gameplay innovation was co-op play. And that was good. But I remember the hype and anticipation surrounding Resi 5 a couple years ago and I imagined a better game. It took so long to release and it being shorter than Resi 4 I don't get what went wrong. The plot was simple and the twists were uninventive. Even the huge "quick time event-scene" idea was recycled.

If it was at least an action game through and through I would not mind this. But it is too undecisive. It is caught between two genres, trying to fill both criteria and only get both part filled. All the boss encounters are more epic than all the past FINAL bosses in the series. Well they would be but unfortunately the experience does not meet epic standards. A boss that could have been potentially fun, interactive and challenging to do in co-op was heavily restriced to both players using turrets. (And pumping the enemy with an unrealistic amount of bullets)

There are other things wrong with this game. For example the item system is horrendous with an AI partner and if full, (which will happen) it is really awkward to trade items. The item system also hugely restrictive to how much you can carry. Each character can hold nine items. Fair enough.
But consider this, playing co-op you will want at least two weapons each, so two slots. Next they need ammo, another two. At least one healing item and you can buy armor which for some reason you need a slot for. Ok so six slots so far, we can work with three slots. Can't we? Unfortunately no. Any overspill ammo for a weapon? That's another slot. Found a new weapon? Well it won't be in the store till you pick it up. One more slot! A red herb? Well you cant use this now but better save it to mix with a green herb! That's one slot and another you want to keep free. That's all our slot's filled but what if you want to use grenades, never mind mix and match the three types? No room! If you have a grenade launcher, the different ammo types all take up their own slot. Tough luck! Despite healing items such herbs and eggs and grenades having the quantity number beside them this will always be the number one! They take up a slot all of there own stupidly numbered for no reason. An egg or a small plant will take up the same amount of room as a rocket launcher!
Yes the breaks in between chapters let you store all items to your hearts content and key items and treasures dont take up slots. Resi 4 had this item system sussed with the suit case placement even if it did let you horde stuff like grenades. You might find yourself holding 18 incinidary grenades by accident but you just dont use them. Do you Pete? Just use the grenades and STOP HORDING THEM!!!
Sorry, lost my composure. I suppose the original Resi did games made you pick and choose what items you brought because of limited room but this proves an earlier point.

The game cannot decide what it wants to be. It tries to raise tension by refusing to let you walk and shoot, making you choose items and quick time events. But this is all undermined by gameplay being broken up into chapters and sub-chapters, the fact you can gun down most encounters, you can easliy turn and put some room between you and the enemies as it is so roomy and ultimately by the fact you are never apart from your partner for more than five minutes.
This game is a huge missed oppurtunity. But still a great game which makes the fact even more depressing. But there have already been promises of the next Resi game to have big improvements on the gameplay. They promised this last time and we were forced to play co-op (because the computer AI is horrndous).