Three years after the last numbered entry in the series, Resident Evil 6 has been confirmed for a 2012 release. The game will feature a range of protagonists, including series mainstays Chris Redfield (Resident Evil) and Leon S. Kennedy (Resident Evil 2). Our heroes will be struggling to contain a series of bioterrorism incidents, one of which has transformed an urban population of 70,000 into bloodthirsty mutants.

The game’s announcement trailer suggests that it will retain the slick action sequences that characterised recent entries in the series. According to publisher Capcom, Resident Evil 6 will offer a blend of “action and survival horror”. The question is: can Capcom retain the fans it gained with the fourth and fifth instalments while also placating those pining for the more suspenseful tone of earlier titles?

Resident Evil 6 is slated to arrive on 360 and PS3 in November with a PC version to follow at a later (thus far unannounced) date.