New Resident Evil 5 Speculation

Famitsu's latest issue presented a 9-page article about the upcoming Resident Evil 5 and included with it new screens and concept art for the highly anticipated title. Personally I can't wait for this title which is surely to be my most anticipated game of 2009. Since the release of the games first trailer, there has been all kinds of speculation (and controversy) surrounding the game but there is no denying that this game is going in very interesting direction. First of all, let me cover what we have already known for months:

1.) Dark, damp environments are a thing of the past and have been replaced with the bright sun and searing heat of africa.
2.) Like RE4, these dont appear to be regular zombies but it has been confirmed that these are not the Ganado of RE4.
3.) The game will star Chris Redfield and use the same, improved shooting and control mechanics as its most recent predecessor.
4.) There is a shot of a girl in a water tank at the end of the trailer and there has been speculation that this girl may be Sherry Birkin from RE2 or even Alexia Ashford from Code Veronica.

So first, let me post all the new concept art and then I shall cover some new stuff to boggle your mind until we get some concrete answers:




So whats new? I can make some speculation of my own but Famitsu has also confirmed a few new details:

1.) First of all, the new female character desgn looks an awful lot like Claire Redfield from RE2 and RECV. I think this primarily because the pose that she is in is very similar to old Claire Concept Art.
2.) Famitsu revealed that there will a good amount of large boss fights appearing in the game including several from previous games. They went ahead and confirmed that Nosferatsu, the blind monster from Code Veronica will appear in the game. I can only guess at some other bosses but perhaps some of the Gigantos from RE4 or the alligator (or in this case, probably crocodile) from RE2. The possibilities seem to make the game even more interesting.
3.) The fact that Nosferatsu is confirmed to return suggests that the game may return to the story of the T-Virus or atleast be somehow related to Umbrella. I say this because Nosferatsu was a man who was infected with the T-Veronica virus but we will have to wait and see I suppose.

Thats all I got for now, Ill keep everyone posted we get closer and closer to the games launch. Let me say thanks to Famitsu for bringing us this great new details and art and thanks to Kotaku for posting the art. Anyone else have some speculation as to who may or may not be returning for RE5 or anything else related to the game? Leave a comment if you do.

-Nick