Under $5: Classic horror game receives massive discount

Released by Capcom in 2009, Resident Evil 5 is already seen as a genre classic, even though it leans more toward action than horror compared to earlier entries. Players step into the role of Chris Redfield, a BSAA agent sent to Africa to investigate a new bioweapon threat. Alongside his partner Sheva Alomar, he faces relentless waves of infected enemies in the series’ signature style. While traditional zombies take a backseat, the Majini, virus-infected villagers, fill their role. Unlike their predecessors, they are smarter, attack in groups and wield weapons like machetes, crossbows and even firearms.

With Resident Evil 5, the series took a major step away from classic survival horror, shifting toward action RPG elements with a stronger focus on co-op gameplay. Instead of the tense atmosphere created by scarce resources and isolated locations in earlier games, this entry emphasizes fast-paced firefights against large enemy hordes. The traditional pausable menu was replaced with real-time inventory management, adding intensity but also increasing the pressure in combat. The game also introduced a cover system for gunfights, further reinforcing its action-oriented approach. Cooperation is key in co-op mode. Players must share ammunition and healing items, coordinate flanking maneuvers and come to each other’s aid in critical moments.

By shifting away from classic survival horror, Resident Evil 5 delivers more action but loses some of its signature atmosphere. While this change isn’t for everyone, the game still has a dedicated fan base. It is praised for its immersive sound design, strong voice acting and thrilling cutscenes. However, the controls have drawn some criticism as players can’t move while aiming or reloading, which can disrupt the gameplay flow. The strictly linear level design, with little room for exploration, has also received mixed reactions. Another common frustration in single-player mode is Sheva’s AI, which sometimes wastes ammo or gets in the way. Despite these drawbacks, the game received solid reviews. On Metacritic, it holds a Metascore of 86 and a User Score of 7.1. On Steam, it has nearly 34,000 reviews, with 87% positive feedback.

79% discount on Fanatical

​Resident Evil 5 is typically priced at $20. However, until March 17, 2025, the official reseller Fanatical is offering a 79% discount on the game, reducing the price to $4.30. Anyone who buys the game will receive a Steam key to redeem.

Disclaimer: Notebookcheck is not responsible for price changes carried out by retailers. The discounted price or deal mentioned in this item was available at the time of writing and may be subject to time restrictions and/or limited unit availability.