Evil has a new name

It's one of the most eagerly anticipated games coming to PlayStation 3. How is Resident Evil 5 shaping up? Well the results so far are terrifyingly impressive...

It's the waiting that kills you. True, the slow, eerie sound of zombie-like groans are worrying, the bright sunlight shining through cracks of decayed wood in a forgotten shanty hut is certainly disconcerting, and the buzzing of flies over something unrecognisable and rotting doesn't help. But it's that sense of something... anything... that will happen, at any time. That's what will get you in Resident Evil 5. Because even when you expect death to come knocking, chances are you'll be far too scared to do anything about it...

Welcome to Africa

The brilliant survival horror series is venturing into new ground, and Capcom's ready to take you there with it, transporting us to the dusky plains of an unnamed place in Africa where an unpleasant new virus has turned some of its people into vicious monstrosities. You assume control of former S.T.A.R.S unit member now turned Bioterrorism Security Assessment Alliance (B.S.A.A.) agent Chris Redfield as he investigates what exactly has gone wrong in the colony.

It's not the fresh surroundings that make Resident Evil 5 different, however - it's the additions to its gameplay that allow for new scares and elements to accentuate its fearsome atmosphere and adult-rated weapons based action. The first and most obvious inclusion is a partnering character in the shape of Sheva Alomar, who represents the West African division of B.S.A.A.

A locale guide and dangerously adept combatant, Alomar can be controlled by either an online human player or by Artificial Intelligence. Capcom has made the game with two players in mind, creating puzzles and obstacles that must be overcome by teamwork and co-operation (such as boosting one player to an otherwise unreachable area to unlock a door from the outside), along with levels that branch off leaving you eerily alone to fend for yourself in true Resident Evil style.

You've got a friend in me

If you're without a friend to accompany you as Alomar, you shouldn't be afraid of the AI taking the reins, as so far it's more than competent to back you up. She attacks aggressively and accurately with a nice range of kicks and weapons, evades marauding foes well and even offers ammunition and health if you need it - as long as you're within reach. Naturally you can do the same, as well as tell her to take certain items at will.

All of which is necessary to survive. While Resident Evil 5 comfortably controls very much like its predecessor, that and the addition of a partner doesn't remove the tension or claustrophobia of its forbearers. The currently playable levels throw dozens of enemies at you at once, who run at our heroes with terrifying speed and are armed with a larger range of attacks, including the ability to break down certain destructible walls.

Not only are there the returning likes of chainsaw or hammer wielding mini-bosses, but even the usual cannon fodder style grunts are more intimidating, forcing you into a panicked frenzy as their faces literally open up to reveal a nasty and alarming Alien-style maw.

Brutal deluxe

The other little differences only serve to keep you on your toes or ramp up the fright factor. True, you can now change your weapon in real time, but it no longer pauses the game to do so, meaning there's no respite from the tension of being attacked if you need to switch guns. Also worth noting is the camera work which is now more dynamic, going low and close when you run and also dramatically zooming out and slanting when you perform a punch or uppercut (complete with a suitably meaty sound effect).

The energy meter for the characters has gone through a slight change, draining slowly if you take a critical hit, turning the screen red and blurry and forcing your agent to stumble around, bloodied and desperately pleading for help.

This heightens the panic and emotion of being at death's door, but it also gives you time to heal yourself before you bleed out. Your partner can come to your aid to replenish your energy meter or just stem the bleeding, although you'll still be left with the need to recover health before you take another likely fatal hit.

Death comes back from holiday

It may be months from release, but Resident Evil 5 is already looking good enough to take the baton of quality from RE4 and run the distance with it. The visuals are polished and smooth, and the gameplay is familiar enough to tease you along with the suggestion of new and exciting elements come its early 2009 release.

It will be worth the agonising wait - and the real question is: will you be ready for it? Because Resident Evil 5 is more than ready for you...