January 4, 2008 - Sure this super sequel may be way off in the distance, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't speculate on what goods this baby might bring. Being a devout Resident Evil fan and having beaten all the games, I hope to provide that extra bit of insight into what is most certainly one of the most anticipated games of the year. Just as I can not wait to go dancing with the dead, I am sure many of you also sit there impatiently counting the days. Perhaps this short preview can satisfy your insatiable hunger, but much like the brain dead subject matter here, I am sure it will be nothing more than an unsatisfying snack.

All those familiar with the series would be inclined to agree that things have gotten a little nutty of late. With Umbrella seemingly hitting the underground and strange cults popping up on mysterious islands, this is not the old Evil we're dealing with. It's a faster, more intense game of Resident Evil, with plenty of blistering action and thrills to be had. To explore deeper into what this game might entail, we'll do a little breakdown of the trailer.

What did it tell us? Well, there are going to be heck of a lot of people that want you dead. Somebody should really familiarize these villagers with the concept of hospitality. Last time I checked it did not involve witnessing human sacrifice and getting weapons thrown at your head, but everyone's customs are different so I won't pry. Similar to the ganados from Resident Evil 4, these angry locals seem to be smart, they roll mob deep, and don't quote me on this, but they may just be infected with something, though I have been fooled before. Utilizing the same over the shoulder camera, RE:5 definitely looks to keep the action rolling, so one can only assume that the usual selection of weapons will appear. We have already gotten a glimpse of the shotgun and the always-reliable handgun. It is a safe bet that the bulk of the combat we witnessed came from the start of the game, which means a number of things; mainly that this could be the most difficult game yet.

Now for the curveball, we catch a fleeting glance of an incubated blonde at the end of the trailer. Could this be a tie in to Code Veronica, the oft mentioned, highly underrated, and perhaps best game of the series? It has been years since we have seen the Redfields, and their last adventure did just happen to revolve around psycho twins Alexia and Alfred. At this point all we can really do is speculate, but it would be nice to finally see some of the loose ends get tied up. The main point we can draw here is that what we will be encountering will be unfamiliar to even the most seasoned of veterans. With a whole all new area to explore, perhaps RE:5 can continue the trend of tremendous leaps in gameplay innovation that RE:4 ushered in. Although nothing spectacular is needed, a certain bit of overhaul would be welcome in this classic series ascent to the next generation.

My desires are meek, my expectations are through the roof, and I know unequivocally that this game will deliver. Without a doubt, RE:5 will be one of the best games of whichever year Capcom decides to bless us with its presence. Until that day all we can do is sit and wait. This game should live up to the monumental hype, but will it be good enough to make us forget about the movies? One can only hope.

By Tom Kelly
CCC Freelance Writer

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