First impressions of the game are very positive. Starting a new game for the first time, the graphics are incredible, the sound and voice acting are superb and the set pieces and cut scenes are very highly polished. The game plays like RE4, in terms of combat, movement and interaction, replete with the signature 180 turns but some of the core mechanics are quite different and not all for the better. For starters, I haven't yet encountered anyone who greeted me "Hello stranger!". :-( Keeping my eyes peeled though!
The biggest change to the game is Sheva, who is only marginally helpful. Ammo in the game is quite scarce and herbs even more so, but even when I'm at 50% health she feels the need to waste the herb. You have to manage her inventory as well as your own and your given very little space to carry stuff. With 9 spots, 1 of which is taken up by body armour (WHY?) you can really only carry about 2-3 guns and respective ammo stacks and still have room for 1 stack of grenades and 2 herbs...the danger is that any ammo or herbs you give Sheva will be used before you even realise you made the mistake of giving them to her. Having to manage her inventory and your own is a bit pointless....don't know why they couldn't have just had two seperate equipment screens and one shared inventory...actually, forget that (at least this way she can't use everything!).
For example, I have 20 pistol rounds (I wish!) and want to give her 10. You can't. You have to give her all 20, let her reload and ask her for the rest back. It's needless. The only thing she does intelligently is that in her loot-picking up frenzy, she'll note what guns you have and give you the ammo for them, which she cannot use herself. By default, she always uses the pistol. To make her use something else, either take it away, put her onto "Attack" mode (bad idea!) or don't give her any pistol rounds (as if you could carry any yourself!).
Also it doesn't pause when you enter inventory now, so trying to use a herb during combat is very challenging. You can map it to the D-Pad though so there is a solution. Perhaps all the changes were designed specifically so that even on a playthrough, the game stays hard. In RE4 after 2-3 goes, that attaché case could comfortably hold my chicago typewriter, semi-auto rifle, handcannon, 30 grenades, 5-10 first aid sprays, etc, etc. Now every set piece is a struggle to survive. There are unlockable weapons and costumes adding replay value and it is satisfying to stand at a stage exit, clutching your side in pain, knowing you beat it with no herbs (Sheva smoked them all), 1 pistol clip and your fists.
I will play it thru the end I'm sure, but I'm already anticipating playing RE4 again. Even if it means putting up with Lord Sadler and Ashley again, it'll be nice to go back to how it should be done.
