Who would have thought that the Resident Evil series would go so far? Launched numerous years ago on the original Sony PlayStation, the series has since progressed into a huge gaming phenomenon, hooking gamers with each new chapter and the rebuilds that have been seen on the Nintendo GameCube. However, fans have been thirsty for an all-new chapter in the series, and this January, they'll get it with the long-awaited Resident Evil 4.

The series takes a dramatic turn for the better, leaving behind the ruins of Raccoon City for a small-town setting that packs plenty of creepy surprises. The game takes place six years after the destruction of the plagued Raccoon City, and the downfall of the controversial Umbrella Corporation. Leon Kennedy, the rookie cop from Resident Evil 2, has joined an agency and has been dispatched to a small, quiet town to rescue the President's daughter, who has gone missing. However, upon his arrival, Leon learns that something has plagued the townsfolk. They're not walking zombies like he's faced in the past, but they seem hell-bent on killing all in their path and speak in strange tongue. It's up to Leon to find the girl, stop the villagers, and discover the secrets that made the little town this way.

One thing that's noticeable about Resident Evil 4, right off the bat, is its excellent graphic presentation. Gone are the static screen displays of the previous games, as everything moves in real-time with the most extraordinary of presentation. The in-game level design is fantastic, allowing you to go almost anywhere (through windows and even over fences), and giving you an over-the-shoulder perspective that really works well for the game. It also gives you the ability for precise aiming, which will come in handy when you're trying to take down the villagers while saving your precious ammunition. The city itself looks great, right down to the tattered buildings and the wavy grass, which sometimes holds something downright painful, like a bear trap just waiting to suck away your energy. Let's face it, this game looks better than any Resident Evil game before it; even the much-loved Code Veronica for Dreamcast.

The story unfolds in dramatic detail, and also gives Leon plenty of challenges to conquer. One foe, a masked maniac wielding a chainsaw, is pretty much indestructible, charging at him and cutting him to pieces if he doesn't run fast enough. And then you also have the bosses, including a huge ogre-like creature that likes to charge at you and attempt to bash you to bits. The boss battle I endured during my playtest was plenty challenging, as well as a bit nerve-wracking. But it wasn't impossible, and it was a worthy challenge.

The sound is downright creepy as well, with the tiny music cues that indicate danger or a sense of atmosphere, as well as some of the creepy dialogue some of the townsfolk yell at you as they begin to chase you down, thirsty to exhaust you of your life. The other dialogue and sound effects are very well done, giving you details that you probably would have missed in earlier Resident Evil chapters.

The gameplay is where it's at, however, and this one plays just fine. Like I said, the over-the-shoulder perspective does well here, and the interface is easy to get into, allowing you to equip items quickly and get a look at a map with the press of a button. New items can be found by breaking open crates and looking in hidden areas, and, in some cases, Leon can use up-close attacks to dispatch an enemy. Trust me, this'll come in handy, especially if you find yourself surrounded by townsfolk with very little ammunition.

Resident Evil 4 looks and plays outstanding, and will introduce a welcome mature turn for the Nintendo GameCube upon its arrival in January. Be ready for the horror that awaits, for this is a whole new Evil that you shouldn't miss.