Yesterday while many of us were deep asleep, Capcom Entertainment held a press in Japan that unveiled five brand new and seemingly exclusive GameCube titles. Since before Nintendo's console launched last year IGN had heard that Capcom was working to bring content to GameCube "in a very big way." When it was announced that the main line of the Resident Evil franchise would be exclusive to GCN, we assumed that was extent of the new relationship. Apparently, there's much more to it than that. In addition to the totally revamped Resident Evil 4, Capcom will be delivering a variety of new gameplay styles to GameCube; the futuristic action shooter Product Number 03 (P.N.03), the spectacularly dark and cel-shaded Killer 7, the comic-bookey "superhero sim" Viewtiful Joe, and the fast-paced sky-high shooter Dead Phoenix should all prove to be one-of-a-kinds when they release next year.
We also know that all these projects come courtesy of Capcom's Production Studio 4, which was formed in October 1999. Famed Resident Evil creator Shinji Mikami is overseeing everything as general manager, and we imagine his high standards will be visible with the production for every game.
According to Hiroki Kato, director of Dead Phoenix, "Production Studio 4 has a knack for creating very elaborate and detailed visuals."
The first screenshots and video certainly are in alignment with that statement. So, needless to say we're very excited to see how strong Capcom's support for GameCube has become. The publisher commented on its Japanese website that these games are "For the growth of the gaming industry. For GameCube. These words describe our initial thoughts. In an industry where you create to amuse and entertain, do you sense a crisis about the industry's continuing regression of excitement and new stimulation?
"We believe that the regression of excitement is solely the fault and responsibility of we creators. By the same token, we believe it is also our mission and responsibility to create something that is 'worth seeing' for the user.
"In a market that has become prosaic with character dependant games and sequel games, we would like to take this opportunity to announce five new and exciting games for GameCube."
Resident Evil 4
Director: Niroshi Shibata
Release date: "200X"
The next installment in the Resident Evil franchise stars RE2's Leon S. Kennedy and takes players into the very core of the Umbrella Company. Ditching the pre-rendered backgrounds and static cameras, it will run in full blow 3D this time around.
The first footage RE4, show above, is all in real-time and, although it's hard to make out exactly what is going on, it is unbelievably detailed. It seems Capcom is trying its hardest to reproduce the beautiful visuals we've seen with the GameCube remakes in real-time. From the robust lighting model to the gorgeous animation, it looks like the team is succeeding. Control will undoubtedly feel the biggest impact with the move to 3D, and with any luck will leap forward with improvement. The announced release date of 200X seems to indicate the title may not find its way to stores until at least 2004.
Viewtiful Joe
Director: Hideki Kamiya
Release date: Spring 2003
According to Capcom, this is a "beautiful side-scrolling action game" with a unique anime-cel-shaded visual style. In it, players control a superhero character and are able to perform a variety of stylistic fight moves. A special "slow time" feature will enable gamers to knock foes backward dozens of feet -- nearly off the screen, in fact, while a "zoom in" option will make possible other powerful jabs.
It's a gutsy time in the industry to release of 2D game, but if we're happy to see anyone making an attempt it's Capcom. The visuals, highly stylized and clearly a mock of the gritty comic book style, are very pretty for what they are. The first footage suggests that Viewtiful Joe will mix heavy hand-to-hand combat with platform elements. We like to think of it as a "superhero simulation," but there's certainly a lot more to see.
Product Number 03 (P.N.03)
Director: Shinji Mikami
Release date: Spring 2003
The new GameCube title from Shinji Mikami, the creator of Resident Evil, is perhaps the most jaw-dropping of the five announced titles. Product Number 03 P.N.03 for short, is an action game featuring a beautiful and hip female soldier who possesses an ultra-destructive laser gun. The game has been described as a Tomb Raider meets Devil May Cry.
Vanessa Z. Schneider is a hired mercenary who kills robots at her client's request, according to Capcom. The character's dark past -- namely the fact that these same type of robots murdered her parents -- though, is about to catch up with her. In the game, Vanessa must dodge and weave through a heavy barrage of firepower from an army of transforming mechs. Her firepower and maneuverability is all she has against them.
Judging from the first movie clip, P.N.03 should be one of the most breathtaking titles to hit GCN next year. We simply cannot wait to get our hands on it.
Dead Phoenix
Director: Hiroki Kato
Release date: Summer 2003
In Dead Phoenix, players can "freely fly like a bird into a world of epic proportions." The game revolves around a warrior and takes place on a floating ancient city. The warrior must slay monsters and other disgusting creations that inhabit the world. Filled with fantastic sights, places and sounds, says Capcom. Every day the world of the game evolves and changes.
Given that GameCube lacks titles with such a pure focus on shooting, Dead Phoenix will help shape the genre on the console.
Killer 7
Director: Gouichi Suda
Release date: Winter 2003
An action-adventure type game with psychological elements, Killer 7 seems to take inspiration from classics such as Hard Boiled. Harmon Smith is a dangerous old man in a wheelchair -- an assassin with seven unique personalities, according to the Capcom description. Kun Lan -- or "God Hands" -- is a man capable of overthrowing governments. The game tells the dark rivalry between these two characters over five stories and four intertwined worlds. Even as Kun Lan's corruption spreads across the world, Smith must use his special powers and dwell in his different personas to defeat his nemesis.
It's a title that reeks of a certain cerebral quality. The incredibly vivid graphics combined with this twisted story will set Killer 7 apart from the rest. The footage shown during the unveiling seems to be largely cut-scenes, but there are a few shots that, if real-time, showcase the frantic, bloody world that awaits us.
Look for much more on these games soon.
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