Preview: Resident Evil 5

No bones about it, Resident Evil 4 was a shining example of how to re-invent a long-running franchise without ending up with something unidentifiable when placed next to its predecessors. The title still felt like it belonged to the series, yet re-wrote the rulebook instead of entirely depending on the merits of what had gone before. It was near-perfect and its influence is still evident in many titles today three years later.

So, how do you follow-up what many critics then regarded to be the greatest action game ever created?

When the first trailer and in-game shots of Resident Evil 5 emerged in 2007, fans were slightly puzzled by the switch to a broad-daylight setting which raised questions of how Capcom would make the new, sun-soaked environment scary. Over a year later and as up-to-date information about the game trickled through the grapevine, the developers seem to have absolutely nailed what made the predecessor so appealing. Slotted in for a March ‘09 release, the game is due to satisfy survival horror fans everywhere.

Yet another example of Capcom's recent penchant for satisfying the fans, is the return of original hero Chris Redfield. We first saw the hero fending off the undead in the debut game of the series. Little nods to the character throughout the sequels and an appearance in Dreamcast title Resident Evil: Code Veronica have cemented his place as a fan favourite.

The new instalment is set ten years after the first zombie encounter and Chris has since left the S.T.A.R.S. special forces unit and joined the Bioterrorism Security Assessment Alliance, sent into the heart of African province Kjuju to investigate an apparent zombie virus outbreak.

Perhaps catering for the current generation's taste for all things multiplayer, he won't be going in alone. Chris is paired up with female lead Sheva Alomar, who provides covering fire from afar with her sniper rifle and gives her partner a boost up to hard-to-reach places.

Early info hints that the computer-controlled Sheva is quite capable of holding her own most of the time, but if you can't be bothered taking the risk, get a friend online, fire up co-op mode and help each other kick some zombie tail. No bickering over who gets that last health herb now...

Once again the enemies here aren't stereotypical zombies as such. Instead, they are infected humans who sprint towards you in droves, steamrolling the less headstrong player. Luckily, you're armed to the teeth with a manner of upgradeable weapons, ranging from weak but trustworthy knifes to ferocious machine guns, just right for tearing through packs of advancing foes. There's no sign of the trader this time round though so whether or not you acquire in-game currency remains to be seen.

However, some enemies won't be so easy to take down, if recent footage is anything to go by. Videos of Chris battling a massive axe-wielding enemy surfaced late last year and look quite similar to Resident Evil 4's encounter with the chainsaw-toting Dr. Salvador, but perhaps even more menacing. The way he advances without hesitation is enough to make you turn tail and run for your life.

This is merely the tip of the iceberg of things to expect. From evading bike-riding infected across dusk-lit sand dunes in a beat-up SUV truck, to the welcome return of the survival mode Mercenaries, there is plenty to get excited about. Resident Evil 5 looks set to be the successor the fourth instalment truly deserves.

Also, with the re-appearance of series villain Albert Wesker, surely ripe for his long overdue come-uppance at the hands of his ex-team mate, could this be the last venture into the world of survival horror? If this does end up being the case, consider this a fitting swansong to an iconic series.