One of the biggest games of next year got its eagerly awaited demo, released on Japanese Xbox Live Marketplace earlier this month. That game, of course, is Resident Evil 5. There has been much talk about where the series could go after the critical and commercial success that was Resident Evil 4, and whether or not Capcom can keep the much loved series fresh for its HD-gen debut on Xbox 360 and Playstation 3. The demo is just a taste of what’s to come, but gives a clear indication of where the series is heading and how the game will play. To tell you the truth, not much has changed, but is that for better or for worse? Well, let’s dive into it.

The two stages shown in the demo should look familiar to the people who have been following Resident Evil 5 from the start, as most of the videos and screenshots have been taken from these two stages. The two stages available are called "Public Assembly" and "Shanty Town," each giving, depending on how you play, 10 to 20 minutes of gameplay. This is the same demo that was playable at this year’s E3, but with the added bonus of co-op.  Yes, that’s right, the demo includes the option to play co-op online or offline...but strangely, not with your friends. I’ll go into that later on.

Along with Resident Evil legend Chris Redfield, a young woman by the name of Sheva Alomar will partner with Chris throughout the game, and will act as the second player’s character during co-op games. She comes in very handy, as Capcom have incorporated the need for teamwork throughout the demo -- that, and she heals you when you’re hurt.

One of the first things you will notice when the demo starts up is how beautiful the game looks. When it is released next year, it will be easily one of the best looking games on either platform. The attention to detail is staggering; the characters are well detailed, from the carvings on Chris’s knife to the defined muscles on his arms. The game actually feels like it’s in Africa, and you can almost feel the heat in the air with the amazing heat waves and lighting effects that surround you. The environments themselves look great and play a pivotal role in how the game is played. Some objects are destructible, allowing more zombies to come at you either through windows, doors, ceilings, or through the walls themselves.