Just when the series was in danger of becoming as rotten as its groaning subject matter, Resident Evil hits back with something a little different. Fans who have started to become disillusioned with the franchise's meagre return of one slightly fiddled-with Dreamcast conversion and a pungent shooty spin-off on PS2 can take solace in the fact that this game isn't just another no-brain point-and-shoot 'gun survivor' game. It's something far better.

Dead Aim is a seamless fusion of first and third-person action in which you take on the guise of US Government agent Bruce McGivern. You then traverse dank 3D terrains in third-person before kicking back into first-person sharp-shooting mode as soon as decaying flesh junkies come into view. Get past the shallowness of it all - most notably in the distinct lack of anything remotely puzzlesome - and it works.

Set in 2002, a few years after Code: Veronica, the action blasts off on board a cargo ship where a terrorist group has unleashed a T-Virus sample, stolen from the French Umbrella laboratory. As the infected vessel steams towards the mainland, McGivern and female Japanese agent, Fong Ling, must stop it at all costs.

It isn't long into the adventure when the paths of the two agents cross and from that point on you will find yourself controlling each at key points of the game. Whereas Bruce moves cautiously and is hampered by slower weaponry, Fong Ling is pacey. She can also perform an evasive Matrix-style wall-run and packs a zombie-shredding pulse cannon. But, sadly, there's none of the on-the-fly character rotation of Resident Evil Zero on Gamecube - the switch is entirely dictated by the story. By completing the game once, you can opt to play as Fong for the duration, but only in Bruce's sections. There are no alternate sections and scenarios witnessed in past titles which, given the amount of closed doors you never get to go through, is a missed opportunity to expand the replay value beyond just a few hours.

Other clangers also threaten to mar the experience, like the way in which you can't actually look around in first-person view. But for its few shortcomings, there are clever touches that claw the whole gun survivor series back from its seedy, low-budget roots. Like the enemy 'sweet spots' that enable them to be destroyed with one well-aimed shot. And the graphics. Brimming with texture, awash with blood and full 3D, this is a fresh look for the series that restores much of the menace long since diluted by half-hearted cash-ins.

Sure, it's still a limited take on the Resi theme that sacrifices thought and suspense in favour of all-out action, but the different look and feel at least makes you think you're playing something new. And we haven't been able to say that about a Resi game for a while.

Graphics 80%
Intricately textured surrounds, fantastic zombies.

Sound 80%
Silent Hill-esque, which is testament to the quality.

Gameplay 60%
Wander around, shoot things. Not hugely engaging.

Lifespan 50%
Four hours max, with precious little replay value.

Overall 70%
Engrossing action shooter that draws from the familiar Resi styles and fuses them together to stylish effect.