Resident Evil 5 - first impressions

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Opening battle reveals new enemies, familiar abilities and a sexy new heroine

So Chris is trapped in a house, with zom, er, uh, enemies coming from all sides. You can push a bookcase in front of the door or hop out the window and search for higher ground. In this case, Chris hangs around long enough to see the ceiling collapse under the weight of several enemies on the roof (a startling effect, to be sure). After unloading several pistol and shotgun rounds, Chris darts for the window just in time to see a hulking figure robed in black swing a giant hammer through the wall, crushing it into bits.

Everything else felt right out of RE4. The location is much more vibrant and the pulse-pounding tribal music gets you worked up and ready to watch Chris leap from roof to roof, but yeah, it's kind of the same. The hooded chainsaw enemy, rabid dogs, the same CQC as Leon, same weapons, all that. Granted, Capcom is keeping a tight (make that stupidly tight) lid on secrets, gameplay changes and plot points, so there's every chance in the world something amazing is waiting for us that they're not sharing. Given their track record, we're inclined to believe that's the case.

Right now all eyes are on E3 - if there's anything mind-blowing to reveal, that's where it's going to happen. Have fun waiting for July!

Jun 3, 2008

Brett Elston
Brett Elston

A fomer Executive Editor at GamesRadar, Brett also contributed content to many other Future gaming publications including Nintendo Power, PC Gamer and Official Xbox Magazine. Brett has worked at Capcom in several senior roles, is an experienced podcaster, and now works as a Senior Manager of Content Communications at PlayStation SIE.