'Killer 7' is a new title from legendary Capcom producer Shinji Mikami, best known for the Resident Evil franchise. It's a stylish and atmospheric crime story that will take you through the seedy and corrupt streets of the USA. What's more, it's cel-shaded.

The cel-shading graphical technique has caused quite a storm on the GameCube, most particularly when 'Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker' was unveiled with a similar graphical style. It was said that the style looked childish, well having seen screenshots and movies of 'Killer 7', 'childish' certainly isn't a word you would use. The characters look dark and sinister, wielding guns and more than prepared to use them, and blood stains are all over the walls. It's quite clear that this game is going to throw you into a violent and dangerous world.

There's more to this game than it's graphical style though, with Capcom having released some intriguing story details. You will play as Harman Smith, a man with the alias 'God Killer'. He is an assassin hired to explore four intertwining worlds to be able take out a crime lord, Kun Lan. Also known as 'God Hands', Kun Lan is a man said to be capable of overthrowing governments. What is interesting about your character, Harman Smith is that firstly he is an elderly man confided to a wheel-chair, and secondly, he's a schizophrenic. Hardly your typical gaming hero.

Harman's schizophrenia means that he has seven very different personalities, hence the title, 'Killer 7', I presume. Each of these personalities has different abilities, and taking advantage of these will help you progress in the game. Whether Harman Smith is confined to his wheel-chair throughout the game, or if his other personalities don't share his disability has yet to be revealed. Either way, it's certainly a new twist for a lead character.

So far the game has a great deal of style, and a really interesting lead character. The few story details so far revealed certainly have huge potential. If Capcom can get this right in terms of the basics, with the control and camera and such it could be a very successful title for the more mature, ultra-violence loving 'Cube owner. Due for a November release in Japan, hopefully we'll see it in Europe early in 2004. I can't wait!