Resident Evil 5

Considering that the fifth Resident Evil title was announced back in the middle of 2005, it would be an understatement to say that fans are eager with anticipation. Thankfully it looks like we will finally get that chance this March. But what do we know about the game so far?

The Resident Evil franchise gave way to an entire genre of survival horror games back in 1996 when we were introduced to Chris Redfield. After an extended hiatus Chris is now back for the fifth title. Except this time around the corridors of a dimly lit, gothic mansion have been switched to the dry and scorching hot deserts of Africa. The bright and sunny setting is a bold move for Capcom with zombies seeming to always prefer the dark from previous experience. However, Resident Evil 5 sets out to make even the daylight scary. No longer can you breathe a sigh of relief when you leave the shadows – essentially nowhere is safe.

The graphics in the game are set to make their mark, with decrepit towns and the classic Capcom-esque character models that are their usual gorgeous self. However the main obstacles are the lighting effects that the game needs to deliver. Trying to combine the dazzlingly bright setting with a creepy and pulse-altering tone would be a challenge to most developers. But early screen captures show a perfectly eerie atmosphere with motes of dust floating through splashes of sunlight and shadows being frighteningly distorted and stretched by the blistering hot sun. With this being the franchise’s first step into the powerful next-gen consoles - 360 and PS3 owners should expect some exceptional levels of detail.

Visuals aside, Resident Evil has always told an interesting story on top of the heart-stopping action. Our protangonist Chris Redfield is no longer with the Special Tactics and Rescue Service (STARS) and has since joined a new organisation. His latest mission sends him to Africa where a new, more vicious bio-terrorism threat is transforming the people and animals of the city into mindless, maddened creatures. Does Africa hold the secret origin to the dreaded T-Virus?

No doubt Capcom will offers some excellent twists to the mystery, along with some colourful characters (both friendly and evil). Just witnessing a Resident Evil on a next-gen platform should be worth the price of admission alone and the demo looks very promising so far. There is also word on the street about multiplayer modes but currently it looks like time will tell on what we can definitely expect when the game is released. Fingers crossed for a drop-in / out co-operative mode!