Resident Evil 4 is the forth in the Resident Evil (or Biohazard as it is known in Japan) series, the fifth if you include the “spin-off” Code Veronica within the main plot line of the Resident Evil Universe. This GameCube exclusive title (and the second GameCube exclusive Resident Evil game, the first being Resident Evil: Zero) will see Hiroshi Shibata, who was involved in Resident Evil 3, taking over from Shinji Mikami (creator of Biohazard) as director of the game. Hiroshi Shibata has said, “The RE series has always been bound by something before, but the new full-model engine will free Resident Evil 4 of these bonds. I want to make a completely new horror game." And from what we've seen so far he is certainly fulfilling this promise.

This next instalment from Capcom will see the series take a brand new direction, as the creators attempt to prevent the franchise from going down the path of others that see many sequels with little or no difference between them in terms of gameplay. All Resident Evil games to date (with the exception of the “spin-off” Code Veronica) have played very much the same using the same concepts of gameplay, graphics and camera. And many feel that maybe the franchise could dry up from lack of innovation. Capcom have realised these and don't want to see this happen. Gone and forgotten will be the days of the pre-rendered backgrounds and the fixed camera angles. Resident Evil 4 will see the (finally, as many might say) step into a fully rendered 3D world with a freely moving camera. Surprisingly even though the backgrounds are no longer pre-rendered many would expect the graphical delights as seen in the Resident Evil remake and Zero for the GameCube to drop down slightly (maybe to something similar to Eternal Darkness). Since pre-rendering takes up considerably less disk space leaving more space for character models and special effects, but in fact as is evident from the early screen shots and movies that Capcom have let loose this game is far superior to the two previous GameCube outings in all ways from the backgrounds to character models and effects.

With the camera now free to move (and hopefully as good as the camera seen in Eternal Darkness) rather than various fixed angels this should also spell the end of the familiar Resident Evil control system. A control system which has been discussed many times online amongst gamers and it seems for every gamer that likes it (such as myself) there seems to be one on the other side who found it awkward, bad or out-dated. With Resident Evil 4 looking to be changing and moving far from what the franchises fan base are familiar with it could have the potential to “convert” those who dislike the past games as it seems Capcom are rectifying all that those games disliked. Also the game will feature a first person view in parts (along the lines of the first person view used in Metal Gear Solid perhaps), but it is unknown how exactly how this will be utilised with the gameplay structure.

Little information is available with regards to the basic plot line. We do know however that the game will star Leon S. Kennedy, fans will remember him from Resident Evil 2, as he delves deep into the “belly of the beast” so to speak. The game will centre around Leon as he discovers and attempts to infiltrate the Umbrella Corporations world Headquarters based in Europe (Capcom have not yet stated the exact location but France is a good possibility). There he will discover and become infected with a new virus called the Progenitor Virus. So not only must Leon fight to prevent himself becoming dinner for some mutated freaks but must also struggle to prevent himself from becoming one himself, a situation which Hiroshi Shibata hopes will make gamers feel like they are struggling to survive the most brutal situation of their lives. I'm sure as with all Resident Evil games as you go through the game you'll find yourself face to face with hordes of undead zombies hungry for fresh flesh to chop into, aswell some horribly mutated monsters, what kind of monsters is as yet unknown but I'd expect Capcom to bring a nice mix of some old and new (more deadly) beasts that will scream and roar like creatures from hell to send a cold fearful shiver down your spine. And if it's anything like previous games the sound effects should provide a tense and chilling mood as well give you some very good scares. And if the game plays even half as good as it looks then this will certainly be a game to go down as a classic.

The game is not expected out in Japan until late 2003 to early 2004, but it is not yet known if it will be released in the US before Japan as was the case with Zero, either way it's likely we won't see a PAL version till Spring 2004 at the earliest. It might seem like a long time but with Capcom concentrating on four other new games/franchises which may or may not be GameCube exclusives according to latest rumours, Capcom certainly have a lot on their hands.