Resident Evil 5

The inventory screen and the aiming are what make Resident Evil 5 a better workout for a bike than a brisk treadmill run, and I’d start on Amateur so the action doesn’t turn into a thumb wrestling match. There’s a lot of shooting to keep you occupied, but you do have to aim carefully.

Gameplay

I think Resident Evil 5 is a fun action game, and the shooting gives you something to pay attention to even when the story is taking a minute to get where it’s going. You’re moving through chapters, fighting groups of Majini and trying to keep your partner Sheva out of trouble, which is a pretty reliable way to stay engaged. Then a cutscene starts and your legs get to do the interesting part.

The enemies make the action feel different from one stretch to the next, and the chainsaw Majini is the kind of problem that gets your attention even if you were thinking about something else. Lickers are another reason I’d be careful about playing while distracted, since an enemy you don’t notice can turn a calm jog into a lot of hurried aiming. I’d probably be watching the screen pretty closely.

I like that you’re working with a partner, but Sheva’s inventory and the shared supplies can make you stop and think about what to hand over and when. The inventory screen doesn’t pause the action, so I wouldn’t try to sort through it while a group of enemies is bearing down on you. It’s a bit like trying to find your keys while someone is waiting at the door.

Some of the quick time events ask you to react right away, and the boss fights can keep you focused for a while. I don’t know that the slower story moments are long enough to sink the game, but they do interrupt the steady run of action. You can enjoy the campaign without treating every scene like essential viewing, so I’d use the chapter breaks as a chance to catch your breath or put the controller down.

Category Score: 2 out of 3

Treadmill and Bike Compatibility

The game has full controller support, which is a good start, but aiming at enemies while your hands are moving is the part I’d worry about. Resident Evil 5 also doesn’t let you move and shoot at the same time, so you’re stopping to line up shots and then moving again. On a treadmill, that change in rhythm could get awkward.

A stationary bike seems easier to manage because you can keep pedaling while you take a moment to aim, but I’d still begin on Amateur and see how it feels. There are sections where enemies close in quickly, and the quick time events expect you to react instead of waiting until you’ve finished your sentence to yourself. I don’t know how much I’d enjoy those moments at a fast pace.

I’d keep the treadmill speed comfortable and avoid trying to push through a difficult fight just to keep the workout moving. The game has chapters, so you can stop at a natural break rather than doing inventory management with one hand and trying to aim with the other. I would not be graceful at that.

If you’re on a bike, you can likely take the more demanding sections at a steady pace, but I’d still pause between fights if you need to adjust your grip or settle your balance. The campaign has plenty to keep you busy, just not always at a pace that plays nicely with moving hands.

Category Score: 2 out of 3

Computer Requirements

The listed minimum graphics card is old enough that a recent midrange gaming PC should have no trouble with this port. I’d check that your computer meets the Windows requirement and has room for the 15 GB install, and remember that activation requires an internet connection.

Category Score: 3 out of 3

Conclusion and Score

Resident Evil 5 is an enjoyable workout game if you’re comfortable aiming while moving and don’t mind pausing between chapters. I’d give it a try on a bike or at an easy treadmill pace, but I wouldn’t choose it for a hard run.

Overall Score: 2.33 out of 3