The fifth installment combines old and new elements to combat evil.

In a run down, dusty town that looks like it’s located somewhere in Africa, a new infection spreads, setting the stage for Resident Evil 5. Although there haven’t been many details revealed about the fifth installment, the developers announced that it would be the first true sequel to the Resident Evil series instead of a side story, most likely picking up from part four. The new installment will also mix old and new elements, with Chris Redfield (the lead from the original Resident Evil) as the main character. An unannounced female character will also appear.

The story takes place ten years after the events from the original Resident Evil and will catch players up with what happened to Redfield during that time. Enemies are different from the zombies and ganados from previous games. They’ll travel in mobs, carrying weapons, and possess almost human intelligence. These new enemies will also move much faster than the usual Resident Evil monsters, which ramps up the action and tension considerably. To match this, players will be able to defect thrown objects by shooting them while they’re in midair. The developers also mentioned the possibility of having a more open-ended style of play instead of the linear stories from prior games.

Resident Evil 5 sports highly detailed graphics and real world physics so that objects react realistically when shot. The environment will also play a large role, as prolonged heat exposure causes hallucinations. Redfield’s eyes will also need to adjust when moving between bright and dark areas, causing temporary blindness or limited vision.

Currently being developed for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, Resident Evil 5 could release simultaneously for both consoles. The developers also mentioned that they were toying with the idea of concluding the Resident Evil franchise, generating even higher anticipation. Expect more coverage of this hot looking game in the near future.