Biohazard 4 brought the series to a new level, mixing the old with many new elements. Like most, I enjoyed the new. The fresh engine gave the game a certain amount of replay ability I haven't seen in any other game, it's literally does not get boring. However, while this is all fine, I would like to see the series carefully visit some of its roots once again. For one, the scare factor. While I favor the enemies ability to surround and interact, I don't see what is so bad about the "cheap" scare, which infested the games before. They usually only get the player once, the first time, but isn't that what everyone waits for in a new Biohazard game is released? Is there any debate that the the dogs crashing through that window, an almost overused phrase in the RE world, isn't the most memorable moment to first time players? I've heard my fair share of screams and laughs when watching others walk by the stove for the first time in Biohazard 4, why isn't there more than that single scare in the game? Beyond scares, atmosphere. I'm not saying the lighting and detail isn't gorgeous in RE4, because it is. But how about more dark areas, those corridors you're shaking to walk through? This brings me to my next and last point, the music. Yes, Biohazard 4 had some great stuff but it also had some tracks that were simply unfitting. The Mission Impossible esque tracks, were they really needed? Some very creepy caves and such could have been brought to life with a slow moan of a track, but instead a very unfitting upbeat island tango was being played - over and over. It was just an odd choice, because if you think back to some of the earlier villages, the tracks were in fact fitting. The game, while great overall, truly played two tales for an RE fan. I just hope to see Biohazard 5 build upon this, keeping the perfect new engine but placing it in an atmosphere that resembles the older games more.

   Most people say the main character is Chris Redfield, are you hopeful it is?

Of course, what more could a Biohazard fan wish for? When you have Chris you undoubtedly have Wesker and after RE4, more specifically Separate Ways, you may just have Ada as well. When you think of it, Biohazard 2 branched off in two directions as far as sequels. Claire in Code: Veronica and Leon in Biohazard 4, each ended with many questions to be answered about Wesker. It's about time to bring them both together finally with a showdown that has been in the making for 10 years.

 

Any ideas or reactions to the heat element found in the game?

I think the elements could work great, if done right. While it never bothered me, it seems all Biohazard games pre-RE4 are set at night. Of course the purpose is to add to the atmospheric effects, but this could be done much more smoothly in RE5. If the character is overheated he or she will have to take cover in the shade, thus forcing them to go off in dark corridors, abandoned buildings and other areas where the lighting can play a part in scaring the player - like the old games, but with an even more realistic feel and actual reasoning to it. Such things didn't have to be explained in the first games, it's just how the cards fell. Your brother works in a police station all day, but you would go look for him at night... right? It's not a big deal, but like I mentioned, it just gives that reasoning which makes the situation feel all that more realistic. Not to mention, being a next generation game the lighting transitions should look beautiful.

   Will the enemies you face in the game fluctuate based upon the heat index?

I could see that happening, especially if your fighting rotting flesh once again. It would make for a good quick decision depending on how the element is introduced. Needing to pick between fighting a certain enemy in the shade when your body is cooled off, versus fighting an easier foe, but with your energy at a low. The enemies may be even faster in the heat if burning, while your actions may be delayed if overheating. It'll certainly make for some strategic decision making based on you're inventory. Every enemy always had it's strong and weak points in the previous games, this will only add to that in Biohazard 5.

    What kind of storage system would you like to see utilized?

I'd like to see Biohazard 4's once again, only for ammo to group in a single space so you can carry as much as you find. The previous games had this option and they also had less ammo, so I'd go via that route. It's not so much to have more ammo, but to keep it in a single space. In RE4 you'd keep finding more if you used it or not, so you'd either overflow for saving or be just right for having a shooting frenzy, something most Biohazard fans were not and still are not used to. This way it'll reward the ammo conservation crew like in previous games by being able to have that large number of shots at the end, compared to throwing it all away anyway. By being able to hold more they won't have to keep giving you more, which will balance the games difficulty better and will once again suggest the conserve to survive methods. With the grouped ammo spaces, I'd also make the case a little smaller obviously - just to keep it fair.

What would you like to see the series build on from Biohazard 4?

I would like a better balance between the old style atmosphere of the old RE games and RE4. I want to have those moments of terror as you walk slowly down a dark path, with a few bullets, praying nothing comes to get you. All while retaining the controls and combat of RE4. Also a little bit more freedom would be nice.



Most people say the main character is Chris Redfield, are you hopeful it is?

Hopeful, I'm 99% sure its him, if its not him I would be floored. It makes sense, Wesker is becoming very powerful, its time to bring in his nemesis to deal with him.

Any ideas or reactions to the heat element found in the game?

If done right it could really be great, just imagine being chased by monsters you run into a dark area hoping to escape, but they continue on to chase. You run out into the light and you go blind for a few seconds, the panic that will create in the player would make you think twice of your strategy. As long as it doesn't end up in micromanagement, like say he needs to drink water every few minutes, I think it will be ok.

Will the enemies you face in the game fluctuate based upon the heat index?

I doubt it, unless you start to hallucinate and create enemies in your head, which hopefully won't happen. I would guess whatever monster you are facing would be harder if say you are fatigued from being out in the sun for too long, so your aiming is off and you can't run fast.

What kind of storage system would you like to see utilized?

Hmm, for important items keep it like RE4, a separate infinite menu. There is no need for us to have to drop something to pick up a necessary key or something. What I want though is limited bullets and health inventory, I want that feeling that I need to chose what I need at that moment and it better be the right choice or I die. The one problem is I don't know how to do that without item boxes, which the game should not have.

I want to see the RE 4 engine with the atmosphere of the previous games (RE 1-CV) molded together. It would also be nice if the level of interaction with the environment was amped up a notch of two.

Most people say the main character is Chris Redfield, are you hopeful it is?

Chris Redfield is the best choice for the RE 5 lead. The impending showdown with Wesker should provide us with some very spectacular scenes.

Any ideas or reactions to the heat element found in the game?

A lot of interesting things could be done with the heat element. From obscuring the lead's vision to having to find cover in certain situations or to even heal yourself. This will be a very good element that will keep the player on his toes.

Will the enemies you face in the game fluctuate based upon the heat index?

I could see something along the lines of during the day certain enemies come and and when the sun sets they find shelter. In turn there would be enemies that are nocturnal in nature and they would come out to "hunt" in night's cover when it's cooler. I could also see an angle of having some enemies more dangerous during one period in the game and in another period be rather weak, defenseless and vulnerable to attack.

What kind of storage system would you like to see utilized?

I think the RE 4 storage system is good enough and doesn't need to be altered. They could just add item boxes strategically in the world where the player could most benefit from them.

 Most people say the main character is Chris Redfield, are you hopeful it is?

I would like to see Chris Redfield return in Biohazard 5, but his sister should stay out of it this time.

Will the enemies you face in the game fluctuate based upon the heat index?

I wouldn't be surprised if certain types of enemies tried to avoid the harsh sunlight. Perhaps players will sometimes be forced out into the heat in order to avoid something more deadly in the shade.

What kind of storage system would you like to see utilized?

I think Bio 4's storage/inventory system is nearly perfect for a more action-oriented Biohazard title, and expect part 5 to utilize something very similar.