Japanese magazine Famitsu recently conducted a video interview with Jun Takeuchi, the producer of Resident Evil 5. Capcom’s blog translated the 13 minute video which includes the first-ever shots of actual game play as well as never-before-heard information about the game. The video also gives gamers a short history of the Resident Evil series which began in 1996, beginning with the words “Ever since the dawn of time the most primordial human emotion has been fear.”

Resident Evil 5 is the next installment in Capcom’s popular survival horror series. Takeuchi revealed why they chose to set the game in Africa, as well as what weapons gamers can expect, the role of lighting in the game and a closer look at Chris Redfield’s character in the game.

Setting

With regards to the decision to set the game in Africa, Takeuchi commented “We settled on the fact that we really wanted to show the origins of the virus. So for the setting, we thought how about using the place where humankind was born?”

The team has attempted to take the player outside as much as possible into a range of different situations. This introduced many variations including weather, passage of time and the use of light. “In all of the games up until now, light and darkness have been used as abstract concepts,” Takeuchi said. “This time we wanted to realistically create that light and shadow, and use it in combination with the abstract concept.”

Escalating fear

The objective was to escalate the player’s fear of the darkness. “The fact that you can’t see into the shadow is nothing major for a Biohazard title, but for any other game it would make creating the game itself very difficult; you can’t see your enemies, you can’t see any items, you can’t see your surroundings.”

Takeuchi continued “But for a Biohazard game that is a quintessential part of the game itself. By focusing on that element we’re able to escalate the player’s fear of the darkness.” To do so if a player is in a brightly lit area and then enters a dark area, it will take a little while to adjust to the dark and vice versa, just as a real human eye would. “It’s those few seconds where you can’t see that really fans the fires of panic.”

Game system and weapons

Takeuchi discussed how the game system will be similar to Resident Evil 4 but will also incorporate a system that is unique to Resident Evil 5. He also revealed that players can look forward to more weapons, “Biohazard was originally based somewhat on the idea of fighting enemies with a limited amount of weaponry. But when the number of enemies gets this large, things would be a bit tough with just the handguns and shotguns that we’ve used up until now, so we have greatly increased the number of weapon variations.”

Gamers will also get a chance to learn more about Chris Redfield and what has happened in the ten years since STARS disbanded. “Everything he’d experienced in the past ten years we wanted to be able to allow the player to experience as well, so we’re preparing a few ways to encourage the player to do just that,” commented Takeuchi.

Resident 5 will also include hand to hand combat. The action button which was used in Resident Evil 4 will return but will be expanded on and will include increased variations.

Pinnacle of Biohazard games

Takeuchi’s final words were “For those who have been waiting a long time for Biohazard 5: with this game we’ve at last been able to use the power of the next-gen consoles, and everyone on the project agrees that it is shaping up to be something incredible. From the graphics, to the game play, to the storyline we think we have reached the pinnacle of Biohazard games with this title.”

According to Takeuchi the characters are to be explored in a Biohazard CG movie which is set to be released soon. The video’s final message to fans is to “wait for the media summit.” Presumably more details about the game can be expected at the E3 Media & Business Summit being held this July.