Am I the only one NOT excited about Resident Evil 5??

The more I hear about this game in the press and on podcasts the more I ask myself that question.  Everyone seems to like the game except me. Or is it just the fact that most people are long time fans of the franchise and are willing to look past all the bad points? I have played some of the previous ones but just briefly. I was really excited about this game right up to the moment I played the demo for the first time. I want to like this game.. I really do. I mean it looks absolutely amazing, the main characters are really cool (I prefer Sheva over Lara any day of the week), the setting is really interesting and it’s got coop. Tell me that a game has those features and I’m sold…. usually.

So why don’t I like it then? One reason … the much talked about controls obviously. I know die hard fans are going to say well it’s always been like that etc, etc but I am not a die hard fan… I am new to the franchise and am judging this game on it’s own. Surely they want to draw new players to the franchise? For many people this will be the first Resident Evil game that they will be playing. I know of 2 friends that were really looking forward to this game until they tried the demo and immediately decided not to buy the game any more. And I am right with them there… I will probably not be purchasing this game either.

So what’s wrong with the controls? It fights you every step of the way. The main issue is obviously the fact that you cant shoot and move at the same time. So you end up running away, turning around, shooting a few shots, running away, turning around, shooting a few shots, running ….. you get the idea. Oh and then you got to plan when you are going to reload too because, yes you guessed it, you cant move when you are reloading either! Then there is also the fact that simply switching weapons is a pain as well. And why cant you just run up to someone and hit them? Sometimes you can when the prompt comes up to press X… but only then. Why cant I punch someone when I feel like it? It’s a very stop/start affair.

Then there is also the inconsistencies. Sometimes you shoot someone in the head and it explodes and other times you shoot someone in the head and he just ends up holding it for a while before continuing to shuffle towards you.

All I know is that I was really looking forward to this game and that I am trying really hard to like it…. but I just can’t. I tried the demo in coop again about 2 nights ago and again it left me frustrated and vowing not to buy it. Will I give in to all the hype eventually and get it anyway? We’ll see.