Resident Evil 5

Summary	Plot	Gameplay	Development	Marketing	Reception	Credits	Gallery	Translation errors	Further notes

Gameplay

Chris and Wesker locked in combat.

Resident Evil 5 features similar gameplay to Resident Evil 4, utilizing the same over-the-shoulder view. The game's environment also plays a significant role. The Mercenaries minigame, which was featured in both Resident Evil 3: Nemesis and Resident Evil 4, also made a return.

This game only has two types of herbs: Red and Green. Previous games had Green, Red, and Blue. Resident Evil 4 had removed blue and replaced it with the Yellow Herb. Healing items vary from Herbs, the First Aid Spray and Eggs (the Rotten Egg is an exception.) Using herbs and sprays allows you to heal both you and your partner, but you must be near them.

The player is now more dependent on the second player (or A.I.) than in older games. When the player or partner's health bar drops down to 0, he/she will enter the DYING stage, where the health bar will flash red and gradually lower as you prolong this stage. In this case, he/she must either be healed or resuscitated by the other using the "Partner Action" Button (B on Xbox 360, O on PS3). If the player or partner does not have any healing items when rescuing the other, the health will be stabilized at 10%. If both characters reach the DYING stage or fail to rescue the other, the game is over.

The player and their partner need to work together in certain parts of the game, such as kicking down heavy metal doors, pulling switches, or freeing their partner from the enemy's grasp before they are killed. The player can issue commands when playing solo or with a partner using the same "Partner Action" button.

The game also introduces new types of enemies. These enemies behave similarly to the Ganado but are called Majini and are mostly of African descent instead of Spanish.

The game also features a wide selection of firearms, including handguns, shotguns, machine guns, rifles, magnums and the knife (as well as weapons unique to certain characters). While the knife remains useful, killing the much more intelligent Majinis with it is much more difficult than killing the Ganado, as they are fast, don't get stunned easily, react much faster, and can surround the player's characters easily. To counter this, finding ammo is not as difficult as it was in previous games.

As the Merchant is absent from this game, a shop appears at the beginning of every chapter or when a player restarts or dies after passing a checkpoint. In the shop, players cannot buy ammo, except for the Grenade Launcher, which fires different types of rounds. Additionally, players cannot buy any healing items other than the First Aid Spray. Similar to the Tactical Vest in Resident Evil 4, a returning feature is that players can purchase a Melee Vest, which halves every physical attack dealt to the character wearing it, and a Bulletproof Vest, which halves every firearm-related damage to the character wearing it (any ranged attack). Both can be worn at the same time, but each takes up space in the inventory.

The inventory in the game is different from the previous game. This time, the inventory is a 3x3 grid that can carry nine items at once, and each item takes up only one inventory space. Ammo and grenades that are picked up are now organized in stacks of five instead of being placed randomly, unlike Resident Evil 4 and similar to the old-school Resident Evil games. Opening the inventory is now in real-time (similar to Outbreak), so the player can be damaged if there are enemies nearby. Items placed in the inventory are assigned to a specific button (e.g., the numpad in the PC version) for easy item management. The console versions support four shortcuts for the items in the directional pad, with the shortcuts being up, down, left, and right, respectively.

Online gameplay is also included. Two players can not only work together playing through the chapters but also in The Mercenaries. An offline co-op is also included, with two players playing through split-screen (which was the reason why Sheva was made left-handed). A new type of online gameplay was introduced in the Versus Mode (DLC, also included in Resident Evil 5 Gold Edition). In this mode, characters battle each other while Majinis and other enemies occasionally enter the fray. Four players can join this mode at maximum.

Changes

Many changes occurred during the development of Resident Evil 5, with modifications made to previous games and numerous new ideas scrapped.

• Very early trailers portrayed Chris in a survival commando-like costume, using a form of 1911 pistol and a version of the Silver Ghost outfitted with a compensator. These were scrapped, save for the skeletal work of the Chris model.
• The S100 firearm never appears in the game and does not appear to be a real weapon.
• In some early trailers, the M3 shotgun had a pistol grip and a short barrel, but in the final game, it had a pistol grip, a full stock, a full-length barrel, and a magazine tube.
• Originally, the SIG 556 was the FN SCAR or a similar rifle, but identifying it in limited footage is difficult.
• Apart from the grenade, flame, and acid rounds traditionally used in Resident Evil games, the grenade launcher can now use liquid nitrogen and electric rounds.
• In the early trailers, Chris was depicted fighting the Majini alone, but in the final game, he meets Sheva before any combat takes place.
• In one trailer, the Chainsaw Majini was portrayed as the Executioner Majini because the Chainsaw Majini was seen wielding the Executioner Majini's giant ax in the trailer.

Tips

• Aim for the weak spots: In higher difficulties (or when starting a new game from scratch), you'll often find yourself lacking ammo. Since Majini are more resilient than Ganados, they can withstand more shots before dying. For that reason it's good to use Reaction Commands often. Leg Back Melees are especially useful as they may prevent Plagas from emerging.
• Quick-Reload: Since in Resident Evil 5 opening the inventory menu doesn't pause the game, one can quickly reload instead of doing it manually (aim button + interact button); simply open the inventory, move the specific ammo with the action button (X on Xbox and Square on PS3), and combine it with your gun. For weapons with a slow reload speed (such as some Magnums and Shotguns), it's especially useful. It takes some time and practice to learn to do it fast, but it certainly pays off, especially on higher difficulties or The Mercenaries minigames.
  • A good way to make full use of the Quick-Reload trick is to use it during a Melee Attack, as the animations are often long enough for the player to perform it. Since the character is invincible during those moves, it is safe to do so. The trick can also be done during any animation, such as climbing, dropping off a roof, or picking up ammo.
  • You can also Quick-Reload while reloading. e.g. Quick-Reload your Sniper Rifle while manually reloading your Shotgun.
• Reload Interrupt: An alternate way to reload your weapons faster is to use the reload interrupt trick, where you can break the reloading animation by using a melee attack. To perform the trick, simply shoot the enemy in any melee prompt area and run close to the enemy. Press the reload command (aim button + interact button) and quickly press the action button to cancel the reload animation and use the melee attack. Note that despite cancelling the animation, your weapon will be reloaded. This trick can reduce your reload time by 30% to 80% depending on the weapon.
• Quick Aim/Turn: By holding down the right analog stick in any direction and pressing the aim button, your character will instantly turn to that direction while holding the aim. This trick can be especially useful during tight situations where you're surrounded, as turning around can be slow. However, this is only available to those using control schemes A or B, as schemes C and D have the right analog stick function differently.
• Invincibility Frames: Picking up items from the floor, climbing/kicking/lifting ladders, climbing platforms, dodging enemy attacks with context buttons, rescuing/saving your partner, and using Melee prompt attacks all grant you invincibility for a few seconds. These are called "Invincibility Frames," during which your character is performing actions that enemies cannot harm the player. You can use this to your advantage to escape tight situations. Notable invincibility frame actions include Melee Prompt Actions, picking up ammo/items, and climbing/jumping down.
  • Additionally, you are also invincible when receiving damage from enemies, such as attacks that stun or knockdown the character, and when breaking free from enemy grabs. However, you are still vulnerable while being held by the enemy.
  • During the first fight with Wesker on chapter 5-3, the act of throwing Jill when she's being held gives you invincibility frames. Remember, you're not invincible while holding her.

Offline/Single Player Tips

• During combat, always keep your partner in "Cover" mode so that they will stay close and assist you more often. Change to "Attack" mode while fighting bosses or after clearing an area, as in this mode, the partner acts more independently and will often search around for items.
• While the partner's A.I. is limited, it possesses surprisingly accurate aim, to the point of taking down enemies from long distances that would require Sniper Rifles using a Handgun. However, the partner uses their ammo quite excessively, and since Handgun ammo is more common, it's advised to keep them with a Handgun as their primary weapon.
• It's a good idea to use the partner as a "Personal Bank," giving them spare ammo and herbs for your own weapons in case your inventory is full. The A.I. is quite intelligent and will give you ammo when you're running low or give you Red Herbs if you already have a Green Herb in your possession.

Online/Split-Screen Tips

• If you don't have a communication device with your partner or have chosen not to use it, make sure you can communicate effectively using the Partner Action Button.
  • Use the Partner Action Button sparingly. For instance, spamming the "Follow" command can be quite irritating.
  • Additionally, always be polite and express your gratitude to your partner when he/she assists you with items or support. Complimenting your partner after scoring a Perfect Headshot or executing Chain Melees is also a good idea.
• Try to stay close to your partner, particularly in higher difficulty modes, to aid him/her in the event of a grab or save from DYING status.
  • You can also use the "Send Out" command and aim your gun to use the laser aim if you want to direct your partner to a specific point.
• Pay close attention to your partner. If you both get separated, use the Partner Locate Button (RB on Xbox and L1 on PS3) to determine his/her location.
  • Check your partner's inventory once in a while to see if he/she needs anything (or if you require something from him/her).
• Ensure that both you and your partner cover each other during tight situations. Majinis are fast and will quickly surround the players to flank them: covering your partner's blindspot will enable more efficient crowd control.
• Cover your partner's weaknesses. Equipping weapons that he/she lacks is a good idea, as this will allow you to take down specific enemies more easily.
• Make sure that both you and your partner are equipped with a Shotgun to enable more efficient crowd control or to stun enemies such as Big Man Majini, Giant Majini and Gatling Gun Majini more quickly.
• If you're trying to use Melee attacks, try to time your shots with your partner. A stunned enemy can have his stun broken if he receives another shot in a non-stun area.
  • Additionally, try to assist your partner in Chain Melees. Not only are they incredibly powerful, but they will often hit other enemies as well.
  • If you and your partner establish a good synergy, you can quickly dispatch enemies with reaction commands. While one player shoots the weak spot, the other quickly moves in and delivers the attack. It is also possible for both players to strike the enemy with Melees at the same time, doubling the damage. However, if both players hit an Arm or Leg stunned enemy simultaneously, they will not be able to continue the chain.

Glitches/Exploits

• Infinite Money Exploit: This exploit is also called the "Rotten Egg Glitch" because it usually involves duplicating Rotten Eggs (which is the most valuable non-treasure item in the game, selling for 2000 gold each), but it works with any item. This exploit requires two controllers and two gamertags and is performed as follows:

1. Play the game until you find at least 1 Rotten Egg.
2. Deposit everything except the Rotten Egg and go to Chapter 2-1 (or any Chapter where there are no enemies at the start).
3. Sign in to a second controller on a gamertag with Resident Evil 5 data and press "join the game."
4. Click "ready" on both controllers.
5. Give Sheva the egg, then quit and save on both files.
6. Repeat step 5, except this time give Chris the egg(s) on Sheva, then quit again, but this time press A to save on Chris and B to not save on Sheva.
7. Keep repeating step 5 until satisfied, giving Chris the egg and quitting.
8. Each character can have up to 45 eggs in their inventory, selling a total of 90,000 gold.

• Infinite Money Exploit cont.: This exploit can be performed online via a friend/agreement, as it takes advantage of the game's saving system.

1. Load up stage 2-1.
2. Invite your friend/agreed duplicating partner.
3. Give them all your Rotten Eggs in the store before loading in.
4. Load in, and have them pass all the eggs back.
5. They quit without saving.
6. Activate a quicksave by going through the red door to the next checkpoint.
7. Pause and restart, repeat until satisfied.

• Item Steal Exploit: This infamous exploit involves hosting a game and kicking the partner as soon as they join to steal their items. It requires two controllers and is performed as follows:

1. Host a game on any chapter.
2. Wait until a player joins the game.
3. Turn on the second controller and kick the other player.
4. Press start on the second controller and join with no gamertag.
5. You will be taken back to the Item Management screen.
6. Notice that the other player's items will be on the character.

• Enemy Freeze Glitch: This graphical glitch involves killing an enemy while using reaction commands, more specifically the Back Leg Stun. It doesn't affect gameplay or the characters in any way and is performed as follows:

1. Stun an enemy in the leg.
2. Run behind him and use the Back Leg Stun Melee (must be a move that involves grabbing the enemy, such as Chris' Neck Break, Sheva's Throat Slit, Jill's Head Grab, Josh's Suplex, and Excella's First Aid).
3. Right before the character grabs the enemy for the Leg Stun Melee, have the other character hit the enemy with a knockback attack (like a Shotgun fire or Front Leg Stun Melee). The timing is strict, the enemy must be knocked at the exact moment the first character grabs him.
4. If done correctly, the enemy will either freeze while standing still (this happens mostly with Majinis wielding shields) or fall on the ground but freeze as well. After a few seconds, the enemy will dissolve like usual.

Downloadable Content

Main article: Downloadable content in Resident Evil 5

A significant amount of Downloadable content is included in Resident Evil 5.

All of the downloadable content in Resident Evil 5 is included in the Resident Evil 5 Gold Edition on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, as well as the Resident Evil 5 re-release on the Xbox One and PlayStation 4.