Coming Attractions: Action Adventure

Resident Evil 5

The Resident Evil 5 trailer was shown as a highlight at both Microsoft and Sony's E3 conferences last year and caused quite a stir. Admittedly this was partly because it was an actual game and not a green Xbox 360 or a yellow PSP. (You can see it for yourself, along with some other videos and screenshots, over on the gamepage.)

We've since learned that Resi 5 will see hero Chris journeying to Africa, where he encounters a new kind of enemy with a bit more intelligence than thicky zombies. A female character recognisable to long-time fans of the series is also set to make an appearance.

Light will play a key role in the gameplay. You'll have to consider how long it will take for your eyes to adjust when going between dark interiors to brightly lit outside environments, and learn how to use light as a weapon.

The game is being worked on by former members of Capcom's Clover Studio. This is good news as Clover was responsible for titles in the Resi, Viewtiful Joe and Devil May Cry series, plus the excellent Okami, before being shut down last year.

Resident Evil 5 will be released for PS3 and Xbox 360 this year.

Be my Valentine: Bored? Lonely? Aroused by the idea of fictional characters getting drunk and lezzing up? Why not read some appalling fan fiction.

Ninja Gaiden 2

Our current to-do list looks something like this: "1. Finish action adventure round-up. 2. Do round-ups for outstanding genres (approx. 700000000 words). 3. Stop saying dog eggs." Ryu Hayabusa's to-do list looks like this: "1. Avenge clan. 2. Prevent destruction of human race."

We could spend hours debating who has the hardest task, but anyway. Ninja Gaiden 2 features a new game engine and combat system. You can play with a variety of old and new weapons and finish off enemies using something called Obliteration Techniques. Plus there are new auto-healing and save point systems.

Multiple difficulty settings will be available from the beginning. According to Team Ninja, it's all part of a bid to make the game "both accessible to more casual players" (i.e. not as bastard hard) and "challenging even to the most demanding gamers" (i.e. with a bastard hard option to stop the Internet complaining).

Ninja Gaiden 2 will be "the world's premier action game", according to Team Ninja. Find out if they're making it up when it's released exclusively for Xbox 360 later this year.

Tecmo tecmo tecmo: Team Ninja is of course led by Tomonobu Itagaki, creator of the Dead or Alive franchise and definitely not a sex pest.

Tomb Raider Underworld

Details on Lara's latest outing are still scarce, but according to US PLAY magazine the theme is "pure woman versus wild". Perhaps it's about her trying to get home in an unlicensed mini cab.

They've overhauled the technology since Legend, apparently, so Lara will now leave footprints in mud, and they will be washed away, like tears, in the rain. Our heroine has been animated using motion-capture and there's new dynamic lighting. Plus, bodies and debris won't just disappear when she moves away from them. Welcome to 2002.

While "Underworld" smacks worryingly of darkness as in "Angel of", it's comforting to know Crystal Dynamics are in charge once again. No screenshots as yet, but Eidos has invited us round for tea in a couple of weeks so we'll have more then. Tomb Raider Underworld is "tentatively" scheduled for a 2008 release on PC, PS3 and Xbox 360.

Underworld: If you thought the Resident Evil fan fiction was bad, you should see what people write about Lara Croft. Excerpt: '"They’re real," she declared, and hated herself for saying it.'

Silent Hill V

This time it's the turn of war veteran Alex Shepherd to embark on an epic mission that will leave him terrified, mystified and feeling a bit sick. In the search for his missing younger brother, Alex finds himself exploring the insular community of Shepherd's Glen, but inevitably winds up wandering round the streets of Silent Hill.

The combat system has been enhanced, so there are new offensive and defensive moves to fight the wide variety of horror shows you come across. They've also been creating new puzzles and you'll need to take your cues from the environment to solve them. Akira Yamaoka has been drafted in to do the soundtrack once again.

The development team, however, has changed. Out goes Team Silent, in comes Team Collective - the people behind Marc Ecko, the Buffy game and the forthcoming Dirty Harry. Let your imagination run wild. Silent Hill V is in development for PS3 and Xbox 360.

Shhh: You'll find some screenshots and several videos of Silent Hill V over on the gamepage.