Killer 7 (GameCube) Preview

Created by none other than Shinji Mikami (of Resident Evil fame), Killer 7 will take the form of an disturbingly violent action detective title following the relationship of two friends who now become bitter enemies. Harman Smith and Kun 'God Hands' Lan. The plot is quite interesting too. It all takes place some time in the future, where the world's developed nations are falling under the rising dominance of terrorism and a rising wave of violence.

Those of you that have seen the wonderfully odd film 28 Days Later will know the basic idea. In that film a virus known as Rage infects the population of Britain and makes people turn into terrifyingly violent killing machines who rip you from limb to limb given half the chance. In Killer 7 individuals infected with the 'Heaven's Smile' virus become hugely violent turning against anyone in close proximity. They become powerful enough to overturn cities and even political regimes.

However, things get personal when Harman Smith's bit on the side (wife) gets killed by the infected 'beasts'. With this massive loss he sets out to find the person responsible for it all - Kun Lan.

Now here is the clever bit so pay attention. You control the 65-year-old assassin, Harman who has the odd ability to switch and move between seven various personalities, hence the name Killer 7. Now doesn't that just make the most devilish of sense! But what of the seven personas, read on and you will find out.

First up is Galusian, a little basted who detects enemies' weak spots, very handy when you are up against something that just doesn't want to be killed. Moving on we have Dan who can, in a very Matrix-esque fashion, alter the path of bullets to prevent getting hit, and possible to divert them onto others. Coyote has the rather useful ability to be able to move through objects whilst slightly disappointingly Con can hear very well indeed; perhaps he can hear their heartbeat, or footsteps, we just don't know. Lastly but not 'leastly' MASK can become all invincible using lots of flames and such like and Kaede, the only women in the kill-bent clan can summon showers of deadly blood. Disturbing is not the word.

Speculation leads us to believe that the game will take place over five different storylines and two different time periods (making a total of seven) and with time being mucked about with actions in the past can affect the game in the future, or present, depending on how you look at it.