Review: Resident Evil 5 “Versus” DLC

From the Vault — originally published April 23, 2009. Some links, videos or prices may be out of date.

So what exactly do you get for your $4.99 on PSN and 400 Microsoft Points on Xbox Live? Versus mode adds online 1v1 and 2v2 play in two new modes. The Slayer’s Rule mode is a point-based game that challenges players to kill Majinis and socre more points than the other team. In the Survivor’s Rule mode, players are pitted again each other in a team deathmatch like scenario that includes other random Majini zombies.

To sum it up…you have Slayers, Team Slayers, Survivors, Team Survivors and Versus modes. Wins and performance in these matches will get you points that you can use to unlock secret characters such as Wesker and Jill. You cannot have more than four human players at a time in versus mode.

Whats it Like?

The good news is that if you do take the plunge and pony up for “Versus” mode you will pleasantly surprised to find enough joinable games to keep you busy. One of my initial concerns was that there would not be enough people on the Versus DLC modes to make it worth while. If this was your concern rest assured that there will be joinable games.

Majini zombies are always the prime target in and mode within versus mode. Killing an online opponent seems to be more for getting them out the way so you can kill more zombies and rack up more points then the opposition.

The each of the varied “Versus” modes seem to reward you much more for killing the Majini zombies. They are much easier to take out than the human opponents and the amount of points you get for killing a someone else online is about what you get for killing two or three zombies. Do not expect this game to run like a head to head or straight human to human deathmatch.

It takes a bit of time to get into but it does reward those that stick with it. As you gain points you unlock weapons you can start out the multiplayer matches with. I would have liked to see something that shows you exactly how many points you need to unlock the content and characters. Also some documentation in game that describes the modes and such would have been helpful but playing the game a few times you do pick up what’s going on.

The bottom line with the Resident Evil 5 “versus” DLC pack is that fans of the game will be pleased. If you enjoyed the game, loved the pacing and the action the $4.99 or 400 XBL points will be worth it. If you were indifferent about Resident Evil 5 and liked the game somewhat then you probably should pass though fans will enjoy this extra content.