Resident Evil 5: Lost in FINAL JUDGEMENTS

PURCHASE

For the record, playing Resident Evil 5 coop with Grits was the funnest bit of gaming I had last year, and one of my fondest gaming memories yet. So, when Capcom released the game's first bit of campaign DLC last week, titled "Lost in Nightmares", purchasing it was a foregone conclusion. Well, Grits and I played it to completion a couple nights ago, and here's what I though.

For those who don't know, Lost in Nightmares is meant to fill in a bit of backstory referenced around the middle of RE5's campaign. Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine are infiltrating a mansion with the goal of confronting some really old guy who has some deep ties to the Umbrella Corporation, or something to that effect. The DLC itself ends up being a great deal of fan service, making several references to older installments in the RE franchise. Having not played any of the previous games to completion myself, this was mostly lost upon me, but Grits assures me that it was all spot on and very nostalgically touching.

The story bit itself takes around two hours to complete and, just as with the main game itself, lends itself well to multiple playthroughs. For myself, the chapter was much different than I had expected it to be, focusing much on puzzle elements rather than the balls to the wall action that much of the main campaign offers. That said, I had a great time with it once I got over my initial discomfort with it being not what I'd expected. It controls well (considering you're someone like myself, who is comfortable with the RE5 control set), is challenging, and is very satisfying, considering the price tag attached.

Also released alongside the chapter, this week, was a free "extra figures", pack and a pack consisting of a new alternate costume for both Chris and Sheva, costing 160 MS points. The "extra figures" pack contains a few new unlockables for the already charming figurine set, as well as the "Reunion" expansion for Mercenaries mode. Now, I haven't tried that part out myself, but Grits has and has told me that it is quite nice, expanding the characters you can use in Mercenaries and, by his account, mixing up a bit of how that mode is played. Perhaps he will correct me on some of this later. On the alternate costumes side, I find myself to be someone who enjoys the alternate costumes, and for about two dollars, I was happy to dole out for a Road Warrior-esque costume for Chris, and Naughty Red Ridding Hood costume for Sheva.

Overall, I have to say that the Lost in Nightmares expansion is well worth the 400 MS point ($5) price point, and if you are any kind of fan of RE5 you should pick it up.