On the bright side, cooperative play is expertly integrated into the game and we definitely got the sense we needed to work together with our partner to survive. Although there's little difference in playing as either character, Sheva is the only one that be tossed into key areas. However, the computer controlled AI player isn't always a reliable partner. Players can issue a few basic commands to their partners, but they can't do anything in-depth like assign a preferred weapon. The computer will often rely solely on weapons that you intended for use as a backup, like the pistol or stun rod, instead of using the heavy firepower of a machine gun. There are also plenty of instances where the computer will simply stand around and do nothing when a creature pins you down and gnaws your health away. Although the AI is generally good enough to get you through the game, we don't recommend using it beyond normal difficulty.

That's where the multiplayer comes in, and it works fantastically well. The console version includes split screen play but the PC version doesn't, which we think is a reasonable tradeoff for what's gained. Players have the option of LAN play or using the Games for Windows Live online multiplayer option. More adventurous players can make use of the "No Limits" option, which lets anyone join in at just about any time, but the game host will still need to allow players to enter. Our experience with online multiplayer was smooth and it completely changed the game's dynamic. Even novice players outperform the AI, so having a human being along goes a long way toward making the Res5 experience more enjoyable. However, there are a few limitations to keep in mind. Players can trade ammunition but not equipment or weapons, leading to a very noticeable power division between players who have earned a lot of upgrades and those who haven't gotten as far in the game.

Beating the story mode unlocks a lot of content, including extra costumes, the ability to play as Sheva in single player and The Mercenaries survival mode. As a bonus, the PC version includes a "No Mercy" difficulty setting for The Mercenaries that adds a lot more infected into the map. Points are earned through playing the game and go towards unlocking special items like in-game figurines and weapons with unlimited ammunition. Players keep their equipment, even if they decide to restart the game or specific chapter, so there's plenty of incentive to keep on playing after beating the story the first go around.

Resident Evil 5 comes with plenty of little quirks, but we eventually grew to enjoy the game quite a bit. Getting another player to join creates an amazing gaming experience and makes up for many of the shortcomings we found going it alone. The quicktime events got on our nerves as did the dimwitted AI. Also, the deliberate mechanics might not appeal to those that prefer the ease of run-and-gun action games. Otherwise, Resident Evil 5 is a superb action game that often has us coming back for more.

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