RE5 is good, very good, and very similar to RE4 just like you guys thought. I've been struggling with the controls for a while, because even though it plays a lot like RE4, they changed the buttons a bit... (I played the PS2 version, and they swapped the reload/run/shoot buttons) But the gameplay is exactly the same, even the laser sights, quick time action... you name it.

I miss silly things like the merchant from RE4, you can still buy and upgrade, but only between stages, I haven't unlocked many guns yet, but they are pretty cool so far, I hope for more variety.

One thing that you should keep in mind is that many people complain that Sheva eats up all her handgun ammo. And she "does", but that's because she has 2 orders you can give her. Cover and Attack. She starts the game in cover and most people don't bother changing.

Cover -> she stays mostly behind you all the time, healing you, and covering you with handgun shots.

Attack -> she stays mostly ahead of you and goes crazy, but instead of handgun, she'll use a stronger gun (Submachinegun,shotgun...)

Sheva isn't that stupid, but not bright either. She rarely misses an enemy, but she mostly aim at their chest anyway. She's good at breaking boxes and finding supplies on her own, giving you ammo and health when you need and such. I had a shotgun, she had a SMG. So whenever she got Shotgun ammo, she gave it to me, without even having to ask her, and so I gave my friendly AI her SMG ammo as well. My only real problem with her is that sometimes she doesn't get the "I'M GONNA SHOOT THAT EXPLODING BARREL, GET AWAY FROM IT!" action (Capcom should have made her run away when you get your aim on a barrel...), calling her to your side is useful, but she'll often shoot enemies on her way so... she might not get away from the barrel in time. (hey the boss was near the barrel, and I had really low health)

Inventory system is real time, you only have 9 squares of space (each item takes 1 space, doesn't matter how big or small the item is, ammo box, herb or gun). Maybe it is just me, but I haven't found a way to organize my inventory in real time yet. Why would I want that?

The inventory is like this:

1 - 2 - 3

4 - 5 - 6

7 - 8 - 9

the items located in the numbers: 2, 4, 6 and 8 can be auto selected with the D-pad, so it would be a good idea to ocasionaly keep a herb in one of them =)

Everything else is what you'd expect from an upgraded RE4, there are even more melee moves, and even some "combo ones" Example: Chris punches, and Sheva kicks before the enemy hits the floor.

The enemies handle a lot like the Ganados in RE4 (think ganados in Africa, but their monster versions are uglier and meaner)

I'm enjoying it, but I can see why some people don't.

Bottom line: if you liked RE4, you'll like this game. It's faster, more intense, plays pretty much the same way. Think of Sheva as Ashley with guns.

I just miss the insane huge inventory system (this one makes the game much harder O_o, but more dynamic), and the super mega awesome merchant... :'( CAPCOM should make a RESIDENT EVIL: THE MERCHANT!

Ask me anything, I'll answer ASAP with a PM or here.