LAZY DAY TRAILERS: RESIDENT EVIL 5

Resident Evil 5 is one of those games that’s been keeping a low profile since it’s initial announcement in 2005. While we’ve been treated to little snippets of information and teaser trailers on an annual basis, we’ve not really been allowed to see just what we can expect from this latest installment of Capcom’s long-running franchise. That has now changed.

Capcom has released a new, extended version of the E3’07 Resident Evil 5 trailer, and it is, in short, a breath-taking ride. We catch up with Chris Redfield 10 years after the Raccoon City incident and find him tracking down information on a supposed outbreak in what appears to be Africa. There seems to be some actual gameplay footage mixed in with the CGI, and from that footage, we can assume that the game will use the third person “over-the-shoulder” view that was pioneered in Resident Evil 4.

Now that I’ve set up the trailer for you, I’ll step back and let you enjoy what I consider the first real look at Resident Evil 5.

Now that you’ve seen the good news, I’m going to give you a bit of the bad. According to RE5’s Wikipedia entry, in an interview with RE5 producer Jun Takeuchi, Weekly Famitsu was informed that the game’s release date has been pushed back into 2009. I’m hoping that’s one story that will turn out to be false, as it’s been too long since we’ve had a game that dealt with the main Resident Evil storyline. (Of course, a delay would give me more time to finally finish Resident Evil 4 and take it off my damned “should be playing” list.)

• Resident Evil – Official website
• Resident Evil 5 – Wikipedia entry
• Resident Evil 5 E3 2007 Extended Trailer – GameTrailers.com

CIVILIZATION IV: BEYOND THE SWORD IN STORES, HAS ZOMBIES

This… this may be my last post. It’s here now, and it knows where I am. I’ve tried to fight it, but it knows I’m weak. Before this night is through, only one of us will remain – and I know it will not be me.

I will tell you my story…

Some of you who are about to see the picture I’m about to post will understand, because you may have once been among the affected.

Maybe you’ve only had a small taste and weren’t completely hooked, maybe you’ve spent years fighting it as I have, or maybe you were in remission until this very moment… if that’s the case, I do apologize for what I am about to do…

The rest of you… have no idea. None at all.

Tell them I tried, I truly did, but it comes again… the madness comes again.

Okay, melodrama aside, I do have a few things I want to say about the release of Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword before it completely takes over my life;

1. According to the box, they’ve added 10 new civilizations, 64 new buildings, 11 scenarios, 5 wonders, 6 new technologies, corporations, a new espionage system and expanded trade routes. Sounds pretty nifty to me.
2. One of those new scenarios is something that I can’t wait to play – apparently “Afterworld” is a scenario where it’s you against the zombie uprising. It’s a good thing I’ve got my copy of the Zombie Survival Guide on hand, otherwise it could be over fast.
3. Despite the pedigree the Civilization series has, my local store only got 1-3 copies of the game in – and according to their website, there are no more on the way. While I’m glad I managed to get the last one, it really is sad to see how far the PC game industry has fallen at retail. I mean, this was not your average throwaway PC title.
4. Am I the only one who is bothered when you get that last copy of a game at a store and it’s been opened and used as a display model? Sure, they may have shrink wrapped the contents, but I always wonder if I’m really getting everything that was in the box.

Looking at it, the only real question is whether I try a full game or that Afterworld scenario first. I’m thinking zombies for the win, Chuck.

• Civilization – Official series website
• Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword – Product page at Civilization.com

RESIDENT EVIL COMING TO THE WII?

While worshipping at the gaming shrine that is Kotaku today, I came across this little rumor; it seems the latest issue of the UK Official Nintendo Magazine ended with a little bit of a teaser – a simple note stating that they got a scoop on an upcoming Wii title, but got the information too late to make the current issue. They do give a hint though in the form of a picture next to the teaser which appears to be a silhouette of Leon Kennedy. Pretty slim, but worth noting at the very least. Here’s to hoping it’s true.

Check out the Kotaku article here and then start preparing for the inevitable by picking up The Zombie Survival Guide.