Resident Evil is another one of their flagship franchise’s and with it’s 4th installment rated among the best ever games expectations have been mighty high for number 5.

This is the first time the series has been graced with todays High Definition hardware, so as you can see it looks fantastic. There are the added bonuses of playing through cooperatively with a friend, but does this latest chapter live up-to the high piece that steadily developed since it was first announced back in 2005.

This time the plot is focussed on Chris Redfield a survivor from the Racoon City incident in the first game, the nefarious Umbrella Corporation was brought to justice for causing that disaster and now the bio weapon they created has fallen into terrorist hands.

This brings Chris to Africa working for the anti-terror agency called the B.S.A.A, a fellow agent his new partner Sheva Alomar is the first to greet him. It doesn’t take much investigation for the pair to realize that something is seriously strange is happening to the local people.

As they dig deeper they encounter a mysterious cloaked figure, could they be responsible for the outbreaks?

The story is very slick with an engaging narrative and cut-scenes that could of easily been lifted straight from a Hollywood action blockbuster. You will certainly emphasize with the heroes, loath the villains and feel compelled to play through to the end to see their fait.

In gameplay terms this is like a direct follow on from number 4, it’s got the same over the shoulder camera perspective and plays like a straight action shooter rather than relying on suspense and shock .In other words it’s a far cry from the classic survival horror style pioneered by the earlier games.

The new cooperative aspect is integral to the gameplay throughout, your partner is there primarily to help fight back the hordes of maddened enemies but there are the plenty of occasions where solving a puzzle or gaining a tactical advantage will require both players to act independently.

These bits are really well handled, there will be times when one player must take the high ground to get a good sniping position. Occasionally one will ride a platform while the other controls it remotely. Another part in a pitch black mine where only one can shoot while the other points the lantern requires particularly close cooperation.

This team work is all very well when playing online with an accompanied partner, but when you play offline the computer takes over. A button commands them to come to your position and you can instruct them to attack or to take cover.

Before the A.I they’d been more of a hindrance than a help rushing head long into the danger and generally needing a baby sitter. But thankfully despite an apparent reluctance used there more powerful weapons our computer controller companion is generally pretty good at looking after it’s self.

The Resident Evil series has become much more action orientated but they’ve stuck to the typical survivor horror controls where you can’t shoot and move simultaneously. With that considered if you weren’t keen on the way the previous additions were plated this one is unlikely to change your mind.

But if you can handle the controls you and a friend are in for a real treat. This is a definitely worthy successor to Resident Evil 4.