Resident Evil 4 Feature

The Capcom studios, some say, are shrouded with a blanket of secrecy, well so it seems to us Europeans. TotalVideoGames always eager to find out what is going on and bring you even the briefest of news direct from any of Capcomâ??s current games in development managed to grab a short but interesting insight into the thoughts of Hiroyuki Kobayashi, Producer Production Studio #4, Capcom, who is working on Resident Evil 4.

Resident Evil is a classic brand that has achieved almost cult status and it appears the focus for perfection continues unabated. Stronger storylines â?“ if that is possible - new camera view, a new targeting system and lots of other interesting ideas are well underway. Those who were fortunate enough to have seen it at E3 came away nodding with the resigned look of having seen a demonstration that really was overwhelming!

The player takes control of Leon S. Kennedy, a rookie member of Raccoon City's Police Department who returns from his appearance in Resident Evil 2. The fact that there are no zombies is a frightening thought in itself with the baddies coming in the form of sinister â??infestedâ?? villagers. The plot line is about the Presidentâ??s kidnapped daughter and as you would suspect there is a surprise around every corner, along with a number of sub plots!

TVG: What was the vision for RE4?

In essence, to create a new type of Resident Evil experience, one that is tenser and adds a greater sense of unity.

TVG: If you had to highlight the biggest change in RE4 what would it be?

Well, it would have to be the fact that there are no zombies in the game and the new camera we are utilizing.

TVG: In previous games the Zombies were pretty much â??cannon fodderâ?? but now you have upped the AI for them. What kinds of reactions will they have and what do â??smarterâ?? zombies do?

As I said the enemies are not the traditional zombies from previous games in the RE series, but something altogether different. The Infected, as we call them, do indeed act more intelligently than the zombies players will be used to. For instance they will work together and surround Leon and cover themselves to prevent being hit by Leonâ??s attacks. Also, unlike the zombies they are able to use weapons, including scythes, axes and, of course, the chainsaw!

TVG: There is now more target points on characters. How many will there be on the average cast member and will there be lots of different reactions to being shot and hit on different parts of the anatomy?

Yes, depending on where they are shot the reaction will be different. Shoot them in the leg and you will see it buckle and the enemy fall down.

TVG: How important is the shock value within RE4 to the team? Tell us about one gory event in the game that brings as smile to your face.

Although many of the elements are changing for RE4 there are certain key features that fans of the series demand and that we want to keep; shocking the player is certainly one of those.

When the player encounters the chainsaw wielding enemy for the first time, I guarantee players will be shocked and even more so if his attack is successful â?“ this is certainly something that brings a smile to my face.

TVG: Itâ??s suggested that gun play will have more freedom than the constraints of previous RE titles; will this also apply to character movement, or does RE4 incorporate the same control systems as previous RE titles?

The controls that some have come to love (and others to hate) havenâ??t changed on a wide-scale. However, due to the new camera we have implemented, the controls really do work.

TVG: The look appears to have changed significantly from the saturated blues when the game was first announced to a very â??brownâ?? almost Texas Chainsaw Massacre visual style; does this simply represent a change in game location or has the game changed significantly since the announcement?

The game has changed a great deal since the very first images were released. However, I am very confident that all these changes are for the better.

TVG: Will Resident Evil remain a Nintendo exclusive after RE4?

As that is not a decision that I will make I am afraid I cannot answer that question.

Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions.

With focus on the gameâ??s AI also, taking it to a new level â?“ the enemies are smart and not mindless cannon fodder, a whole new sophistication of gameplay, carnage and ideas unfold to make this possibly the best so far.

More on this title shortly!