It was recently announced by Bethesda Softworks that the father of the Resident Evil franchise, Shinji Mikami, is hard at work on a new survival horror game. The project is code named “Zwei” and will be the first titled released by Tango Gameworks, which Mikami himself started in 2010 and continues to act as president and creative director.
He doesn't look so scary does he?
Mikami has gotten away from survival horror in recent years after leaving the Resident Evil series following the release of RE4. He moved onto Clove Studio and released God Hand, which has became a cult favorite beat em up, and then to Platinum games where he released the critically acclaimed, but commercially underwhelming, Vanquish. Now he seems poised to return to the genre that made him famous. “I’ve found my focus and once again I’m striving for pure survival horror”, says Mikami who added that “I am being very hands-on in the development of this game to ensure that the quality is there.”
Little is known about the title at this point but the press released asserted that “Mikami is committed to making a game that is the realization of pure survival horror.” It further adds that a survival horror game should be “ one that pushes the limits of fear and exhilaration.” Hopefully this means a return to games like the Resident Evil and Silent Hill that we all love. After Mikami left the RE franchise behind after RE4, RE5 became more action game than survival horror, which has left a gaping hole in the genre and Mikami may be just the man to fill that hole.
Just looking at this picture in the dark gets me a little nervous.
The only image of the game released thus far is a collage of some of the environments from the game. From what I can make out it seems to be a creepy dilapidated house, a ship wreck, and a wooded area that reminds me of Alan Wake. It does not seem to be rendered in game, but according to Bethesda is simply to serve as an example of the “tone and the direction that the production is taking.” No platforms were announced and it is unclear how far along in development the game is at this point, but do not expect this title until 2013 at the earliest.
So what do you guys think of a survival horror game created by the father of Resident Evil? Are you ready to turn off all of the lights and be scared to play a game again? Any thoughts on environments that are being hinted at? Sound off in the comments or follow me on twitter @IcarusKnowsBest.