Resident Evil 5

Infobox VG
title = Resident Evil 5


caption ="Resident Evil 5"'s logo.
developer = Capcom
publisher = Capcom
designer = Jun Takeuchi (Chief producer)
Kenichi Ueda (director)
Masachika Kawata (producer)
Haruo Murata (writer)
released=
genre =Survival horror
Third-person shooter
modes = Single-player, online co-op
ratings =
platforms =PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
media = DVD-DL, BD-ROM
requirements =
input = Gamepad

"Resident Evil 5", known in Japan as nihongo|"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.Staff, Gamespot.com, [http://www.gamespot.com/ps3/adventure/residentevil5/news.html?sid=6130166 Takeuchi talks Resident Evil 5] (August 2, 2005), Gamespot, Retrieved on February 19, 2007.] It will be developed and published by Capcom. Capcom officially announced "Resident Evil 5" on July 20, 2005, [Thorsen, Tor, [http://www.gamespot.com/ps3/adventure/residentevil5/news.html?sid=6129479&mode=recent Resident Evil 5 coming to 360, PS3] (July 20, 2005), Gamespot, Retrieved on June 17, 2007.] and is scheduled for release on March 12, 2009 in Japan, and March 13, 2009 in North America and Europe. [cite news | first=Blake | last=Snow | coauthors= | title=Resident Evil 5 coming March 13, 2009! | date=2008-07-14 | publisher=GamePro | url =http://www.gamepro.com/news.cfm?article_id=200210 | work = | pages = | accessdate = 2008-07-14 | language = ]

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". The game's environment will also play a significant role. [http://ps3.ign.com/articles/638/638040p1.html More RE5 Details from Famitsu] (August 1, 2005), IGN, Retrieved on March 4, 2007.] 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. 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".

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, [Leyton, Stephen, [http://www.totalvideogames.com/articles/Resident_Evil_5_Preview_8083_4943_0_0_10_0.htm Resident Evil 5 – First Look] [Mini Preview] (July 22, 2005), TVG, Retrieved on June 17, 2007.] who possessed melee weapons. [Jackson, Mike, [http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=168998 Resident Evil 5 - first in-game screens] (July 27, 2007), ComputerAndVideoGames.com, Retrieved on July 27, 2007.] 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. 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. [See the section heading "Weapons and Battle" in "Resident Evil 5": Terror in the Sun," "GameInformer" 182 (June 2008): 65.]

In an interview with XBOX360ISM, Keiji Inafune stated that the game will feature some online elements. [Staff, Gamespot.com, [http://www.gamespot.com/ps3/adventure/residentevil5/news.html?sid=6140862&mode=all%20Resident%20Evil%205%20debuting%20simultaneously%20on%20360,%20PS3? Resident Evil 5 debuting simultaneously on 360, PS3?] (December 7, 2005), GameSpot, Retrieved on February 19, 2007.] "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.Faylor, Chris & Breckon, Nick, [http://www.shacknews.com/laryn.x?story=52819 Resident Evil 5 to Sport 2P Co-op, Cover System] (May 22, 2008), Shacknews, Retrieved on May 22, 2008.]

Plot

"Resident Evil 5's" setting will have a similar feel to the film "Black Hawk Down". [Casamassina, Matt & Gantayat, Anoop, [http://cube.ign.com/articles/635/635139p1.html Resident Evil 5 on 360, PS3] (July 20, 2007), IGN, Retrieved March 31, 2007.] Takeuchi added that the development team is composed of staff members who worked on the first "Resident Evil". He has stated that "Resident Evil 5" will be an actual sequel to the "Resident Evil" series. 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." [Staff, ign.com, [http://uk.ps3.ign.com/articles/679/679720p1.html Resident Evil 5 coming] (March 4, 2005), IGN, Retrieved on June 26, 2007.]

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.Yoshi Sato, 1UP.com , [http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3161378 Chris Redfield Returns in Resident Evil 5 news from 1UP.com] (July 18, 2007), Ziff-Davis, Retrieved on June 27, 2007.] During the game's events, he is a member of a group known as BSAA, and sent to investigate an incident in a desert area that serves as the game's setting.Staff IGN.com, [http://uk.ps3.ign.com/articles/805/805931p1.html New Resident Evil 5 Details] (July 18, 2007), IGN, Retrieved on July 18, 2007.] 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. 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.Tou, Chris, [http://blog.capcom.com/archives/1116 Resident Evil 5 Famitsu Interview With Takeuchi-san] (April 10, 2008), Capcom US, Retrieved on April 13, 2008.] 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. [cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3167929|title=New Resident Evil 5 Online Co-Op Details news from 1UP.com] 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 Bioterrorism Security Assessment Alliance (BSAA), [cite web|url=http://ps3.ign.com/articles/887/887351p1.html|title=IGN: Resident evil 5 Update] who will assist Redfield. [Morgenstern, Alexis. [http://www.gamingbits.com/content/view/4173/2/ Resident Evil 5 Website Live; New Trailer and Info] (May 31, 2008), gamingbits.com. Retrieved on June 1, 2008.]

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. [cite web|url=http://whatifgaming.com/whatifgaming-e3-08-resident-evil-5-preview|title=WhatIfGaming E3 ‘08: Resident Evil 5 Preview]

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. [cite web|url=http://uk.ps3.ign.com/articles/912/912992p1.html|title=IGN: Resident Evil 5 New Character]

Development

Jun Takeuchi, the director of "Onimusha" and producer of ', 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. [Mobygames.com, [http://www.mobygames.com/game/ps2/resident-evil-4/credits Resident Evil 4 production credits] Retrieved on February 19, 2007.] 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 ', which debuted for the Wii. [Bramwell, Tom, [http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=73207 Clover vets helping on Resi 5 and Inafune Wii title] (February 20, 2007), Eurogamer.net, Retrieved March 15, 2007.] [Caron, Frank, [http://arstechnica.com/journals/thumbs.ars/2007/2/20/7141 Capcom reincorporates ex-Clover developers; victory assured] (February 20, 2007), Ars Technica, Retrieved on March 15, 2007.] 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. [Iino, Masa, [http://www.1up.com/do/previewPage?cId=3142140&did=1 Resident Evil 5 Xbox 360 Preview] (July 20, 2005), 1UP, Retrieved on May 13, 2007.]

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. [Thorsen, Tor, [http://videogames1.mtv.com/pages/gamespace/story.php?id=6151269&pid=929198 E3 06: MIA @ E3 06] (July 15, 2006), MTV Video Games, Retrieved March 31, 2007.] Capcom revealed a brief new trailer for the game at E3 2007.Navarro, Alex, [http://www.gamespot.com/ps3/adventure/residentevil5/news.html?sid=6174059&om_act=convert&om_clk=newlyadded&tag=newlyadded;title;1 E3 07: Resident Evil 5 Trailer Impressions] (July 10, 2007), Gamespot, Retrieved on July 11, 2007.] They concluded the screening by stating "Resident Evil 5" will not be released anytime in 2007. The full E3 trailer for the game became available on the Xbox 360 Marketplace and PlayStation Network Store on July 26, 2007. [Onyett, Charles, [http://au.xbox360.ign.com/articles/802/802988p1.html E3 2007: Microsoft Conference Live Updates] (July 10, 2007), IGN (AU), Retrieved on July 11, 2007.]

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. 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. [Kramer, Chris. [http://blog.capcom.com/archives/1218 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.] [ [http://www.gametrailers.com/player/34647.html Resident Evil 5 "Captivate '08" Trailer] ]

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.cite news | author=Dan Goldwasser | url=http://www.scoringsessions.com/news/145 | title=Kota Suzuki scores "Resident Evil 5" in Los Angeles | publisher=ScoringSessions.com | date=2008-07-07 | accessdate=2008-07-07 ]

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. [Music4Games.Net [http://www.music4games.net/Features_Display.aspx?id=294 Interview with Resident Evil 5 Music Team] (August 20, 2008), Music4Games.Net, Retrieved on August 25, 2008.]

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. [cite news
last = Godinez | first = Victor | title = Zombies in 'Resident Evil 5' become issue of race | publisher = Dallas Morning News
date = Saturday, April 12, 2008 | url = http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/ent/stories/DN-gamer_0412gl.ART.State.Edition1.466a558.html | accessdate = 2008-04-17 ] [cite news | last = Snow | first = Blake | title = Capcom confirms Africa setting for Resident Evil 5
publisher = Game Pro | date = 2008-04-17 | url = http://www.gamepro.com/news.cfm?article_id=175988 | accessdate = 2008-04-17 ] A second trailer released on May 31, 2008 revealed a more racially diverse group of enemies, as well as an African female agent who assists the protagonist. [cite news | first=staff | last=IGN.com | coauthors= | title=Resident Evil 5 Update | date=2008-07-09 | publisher=IGN | url =http://ps3.ign.com/articles/887/887351p1.html | work = | pages = | accessdate = 2008-09-10 | language = ] However, Takeuchi denies that complaints about racism had any effect in altering the game design of "Resident Evil 5". [McWhertor, Michael, [http://kotaku.com/5012678/resident-evil-5-not-redesigned-after-race-criticism-says-producer Resident Evil 5 Not Redesigned After Race Criticism, Says Producer] (June 3, 2008), Kotaku, Retrieved on June 8, 2008.]

References

External links

* [http://www.residentevil.com/5/ Official Website]
* [http://www.capcom.com Capcom official website]