Resident Evil 5
Resident Evil 5 | |
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File:Resi5-logo.JPG | |
Developer(s) | Capcom |
Publisher(s) | Capcom |
Designer(s) | Jun Takeuchi (Chief producer) Kenichi Ueda (director) Masachika Kawata (producer) Haruo Murata (writer) |
Platform(s) | PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 |
Genre(s) | Survival horror Third-person shooter |
Mode(s) | Single-player, Online and Offline co-op |
Resident Evil 5, known in Japan as Biohazard 5 (バイオハザード5, Baiohazādo Faibu), is the forthcoming installment in the Resident Evil survival horror video game series, which is set to debut for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.[1] It will be developed and published by Capcom. Capcom officially announced Resident Evil 5 on July 20, 2005,[2] and is scheduled for release on March 12, 2009 in Japan, and March 13, 2009 in North America and Europe.[3]
.
Gameplay
Jun Takeuchi, the game's producer, stated that Resident Evil 5 will feature similar gameplay to Resident Evil 4. The player will control Chris Redfield similarly to how the player controlled Leon S. Kennedy in Resident Evil 4.[4] The game's environment will also play a significant role.[4] The game implements various lighting effects. If Redfield moves between bright and dark areas his eyes will have to adjust, causing the player to briefly lose some sight.[4] The player will be able to take cover and dodge. The Mercenaries minigame, which was featured in both Resident Evil 3 and Resident Evil 4, will also make a return in Resident Evil 5.[5]
The game will also feature new types of enemies. The extended E3 2007 trailer revealed several sequences involving Redfield attacking hordes of fleet-footed enemies,[6] who possessed melee weapons.[7] Takeuchi has also stated the game's enemies will also possess human-like intelligence and awareness. Furthermore, he stated they will be different from the previous ganados.[4] Takeuchi said that they have "greatly increased the number of weapon variations" compared to the previous games in the series, while the requisite handguns and shotguns also return.[8]
In an interview with XBOX360ISM, Keiji Inafune stated that the game will feature some online elements.[9] Resident Evil 5's main story mode can be played with two players, in a co-operative online mode. The feature will allow players to enter or leave anytime during the game. Players will not always stick together, and can be separated at points during the gameplay.[5]
Trailers at TGS 2008, revealed an "offline co-op mode." This mode delivers the same co-op experience as offered by the online co-op mode, only with two local players controlling the action in split screen.[10]
Plot
Resident Evil 5's setting will have a similar feel to the film Black Hawk Down.[11][1] Takeuchi added that the development team is composed of staff members who worked on the first Resident Evil.[1] He has stated that Resident Evil 5 will be an actual sequel to the Resident Evil series.[1] Before Takeuchi took over, the game's former producer Hiroyuki Kobayashi stated "it's safe to say that Resident Evil 5 will naturally proceed from where Resident Evil 4 left off".[12]
In a July 2007 Famitsu interview, producer Jun Takeuchi revealed the main playable character as Chris Redfield and the game takes place ten years after the events of the original Resident Evil. The story will explore Chris' life during the ten year interval between the two games.[13] During the game's events, he is a member of a group known as Bioterrorism Security Assessment Alliance (BSAA), and sent to investigate an incident in a desert area that serves as the game's setting.[4] Takeuchi also confirmed that a female character from the series, who is seen briefly at the end of the trailer, will appear in the game.[4] In an online interview, Takeuchi revealed that the game's plot will be set in Africa, and will concern "the origins of the virus". He also stated one of the plot's key elements will revolve around the whereabouts of STARS and Redfield's life after the first Resident Evil game.[14]
UK-based publication Xbox World 360 revealed that the game takes place in an area named Kijuju, which is near a line of active volcanoes that stretch across Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Kenya, where volcanic activity is threatening to release a previously dormant virus. They also confirmed the return of recurring antagonist Albert Wesker, as well as Sherry Birkin.[15] Another game trailer that was released on May 31, 2008 depicted a female character named Sheva Alomar who is an agent of West African branch of the BSAA,[16] who will assist Redfield.[17]
Alomar will follow Redfield, while supplying him with ammo and support. She will also be able to engage enemies, and will require the player's assistance from time to time.[18]
Information from IGN.com has revealed the lady in white from the trailers to be Excella Gionne. According to IGN, she is a family member of the founder of the Tricell Pharmaceutical Company and she runs the company's African branch. She is also allied with Wesker.[19]
Development
Jun Takeuchi, the director of Onimusha and producer of Lost Planet: Extreme Condition, will take over producer duties from Hiroyuki Kobayashi. Keiji Inafune, who served as promotional producer for Resident Evil 2 and executive producer for the PlayStation 2 version of Resident Evil 4, is overseeing the project.[20] In February 2007, members of Capcom’s Clover Studio were also called upon to help develop the game. However, many developers from the studio moved on to work on the Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles, which debuted for the Wii.[21][22] Several staff members who also worked on the original Resident Evil are involved in development. According to Takeuchi, the game will utilize the same gameplay model introduced in Resident Evil 4, while implementing thematics from the original Resident Evil into the game.[23]
Although the game garnered much interest among Resident Evil fans, Capcom did not present any footage or information about Resident Evil 5 at E3 2006.[24] Capcom revealed a brief new trailer for the game at E3 2007.[25] [25] The full E3 trailer for the game became available on the Xbox 360 Marketplace and PlayStation Network Store on July 26, 2007.[4][26]
In late March 2008, the April issue of Famitsu Wave was bundled with a DVD containing a preview of the game. On April 10, 2008, a translation of the video was published on Capcom's official blog.[14] Takeuchi gave new information on the game and showed new gameplay footage. A new trailer shown at Captivate '08 debuted on Spike TV's show Gametrailers TV, on May 31, 2008, as well as the GameTrailers.com website.[27][28]
Music
The music for the video game was composed by Kota Suzuki. His score was electronic, but includes 15-minutes of enormous orchestral underscore, which was recorded in Los Angeles at the Newman Scoring Stage at 20th Century Fox Studios with a 103-piece ensemble of the Hollywood Studio Symphony. Additional orchestral arrangements were composed by Wataru Hokoyama, who conducted the orchestra.[29]
Capcom recorded in Los Angeles because they wanted a Hollywood caliber soundtrack that would increase the game's cinematic value and global interest. The game’s soundtrack will feature an original theme song as well as live orchestral music compositions, a first for the game series. The theme song is composed by Kota Suzuki and sung by Oulimata Niang.[30]
Controversy
Resident Evil 5's 2007 E3 trailer sparked controversy with its depiction of an apparent Caucasian protagonist killing hostile African villagers. Newsweek editor N'Gai Croal began the criticism by stating, "There was a lot of imagery in that trailer that dovetailed with classic racist imagery." He nonetheless acknowledges that only the preview has been released.[31][32] A second trailer released on May 31, 2008 revealed a more racially diverse group of enemies, as well as Sheva, an African, female agent who assists the protagonist.[33] However, Takeuchi denies that complaints about racism had any effect in altering the game design of Resident Evil 5.[34]
References
- ^ a b c d Staff, Gamespot.com, Takeuchi talks Resident Evil 5 (August 2, 2005), Gamespot, Retrieved on February 19, 2007.
- ^ Thorsen, Tor, Resident Evil 5 coming to 360, PS3 (July 20, 2005), Gamespot, Retrieved on June 17, 2007.
- ^ Snow, Blake (2008-07-14). "Resident Evil 5 coming March 13, 2009!". GamePro. Retrieved 2008-07-14.
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(help) - ^ a b c d e f g More RE5 Details from Famitsu (August 1, 2005), IGN, Retrieved on March 4, 2007. Cite error: The named reference "interview" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
- ^ a b Faylor, Chris & Breckon, Nick, Resident Evil 5 to Sport 2P Co-op, Cover System (May 22, 2008), Shacknews, Retrieved on May 22, 2008.
- ^ Leyton, Stephen, Resident Evil 5 – First Look [Mini Preview] (July 22, 2005), TVG, Retrieved on June 17, 2007.
- ^ Jackson, Mike, Resident Evil 5 - first in-game screens (July 27, 2007), ComputerAndVideoGames.com, Retrieved on July 27, 2007.
- ^ See the section heading "Weapons and Battle" in "Resident Evil 5: Terror in the Sun," GameInformer 182 (June 2008): 65.
- ^ Staff, Gamespot.com, Resident Evil 5 debuting simultaneously on 360, PS3? (December 7, 2005), GameSpot, Retrieved on February 19, 2007.
- ^ IGN: TGS 2008: Resident Evil 5 Goes Spilt Screen
- ^ Casamassina, Matt & Gantayat, Anoop, Resident Evil 5 on 360, PS3 (July 20, 2007), IGN, Retrieved March 31, 2007.
- ^ Staff, ign.com, Resident Evil 5 coming (March 4, 2005), IGN, Retrieved on June 26, 2007.
- ^ Yoshi Sato, 1UP.com , Chris Redfield Returns in Resident Evil 5 news from 1UP.com (July 18, 2007), Ziff-Davis, Retrieved on June 27, 2007.
- ^ a b Tou, Chris, Resident Evil 5 Famitsu Interview With Takeuchi-san (April 10, 2008), Capcom US, Retrieved on April 13, 2008.
- ^ "New Resident Evil 5 Online Co-Op Details news from 1UP.com".
- ^ "IGN: Resident evil 5 Update".
- ^ Morgenstern, Alexis. Resident Evil 5 Website Live; New Trailer and Info (May 31, 2008), gamingbits.com. Retrieved on June 1, 2008.
- ^ "WhatIfGaming E3 '08: Resident Evil 5 Preview".
- ^ "IGN: Resident Evil 5 New Character".
- ^ Mobygames.com, Resident Evil 4 production credits Retrieved on February 19, 2007.
- ^ Bramwell, Tom, Clover vets helping on Resi 5 and Inafune Wii title (February 20, 2007), Eurogamer.net, Retrieved March 15, 2007.
- ^ Caron, Frank, Capcom reincorporates ex-Clover developers; victory assured (February 20, 2007), Ars Technica, Retrieved on March 15, 2007.
- ^ Iino, Masa, Resident Evil 5 Xbox 360 Preview (July 20, 2005), 1UP, Retrieved on May 13, 2007.
- ^ Thorsen, Tor, E3 06: MIA @ E3 06 (July 15, 2006), MTV Video Games, Retrieved March 31, 2007.
- ^ a b Navarro, Alex, E3 07: Resident Evil 5 Trailer Impressions (July 10, 2007), Gamespot, Retrieved on July 11, 2007.
- ^ Onyett, Charles, E3 2007: Microsoft Conference Live Updates (July 10, 2007), IGN (AU), Retrieved on July 11, 2007.
- ^ Kramer, Chris. New Resident Evil 5 trailer to premier on “Gametrailers TV with Geoff Keighley” May 31 @ 1 AM EST/PST (May 15, 2008), Capcom US. Retrieved on May 23, 2008.
- ^ Resident Evil 5 "Captivate '08" Trailer
- ^ Dan Goldwasser (2008-07-07). "Kota Suzuki scores Resident Evil 5 in Los Angeles". ScoringSessions.com. Retrieved 2008-07-07.
{{cite news}}
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(help) - ^ Music4Games.Net Interview with Resident Evil 5 Music Team (August 20, 2008), Music4Games.Net, Retrieved on August 25, 2008.
- ^ Godinez, Victor (Saturday, April 12, 2008). "Zombies in 'Resident Evil 5' become issue of race". Dallas Morning News. Retrieved 2008-04-17.
{{cite news}}
: Check date values in:|date=
(help) - ^ Snow, Blake (2008-04-17). "Capcom confirms Africa setting for Resident Evil 5". Game Pro. Retrieved 2008-04-17.
- ^ IGN.com, staff (2008-07-09). "Resident Evil 5 Update". IGN. Retrieved 2008-09-10.
{{cite news}}
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(help) - ^ McWhertor, Michael, Resident Evil 5 Not Redesigned After Race Criticism, Says Producer (June 3, 2008), Kotaku, Retrieved on June 8, 2008.