Capcom releases a new trailer for Resident Evil 7 that reveals the game's shotgun as well as confirms that the classic item boxes are returning for the new game.

Earlier today, Capcom released an eerie teaser trailer for Resident Evil VII, featuring a mysterious phone call from an unknown character theorized to be Resident Evil 5's Sheva Alomar. The trailer was labeled as "Volume 1," and Capcom has already released the second volume of what will likely be a series of short teaser videos for the upcoming Resident Evil VII.

The new trailer for Resident Evil VII shows off the game's shotgun for the first time. Previous gameplay footage and trailers showed protagonist Ethan utilizing a handgun, and while we knew that shotguns would be in the game, this is the first time we've seen it in actual gameplay footage. Unfortunately, we don't get to see the shotgun used against the seemingly invincible Baker family, but Ethan's acquisition of the weapon reveals that a classic gameplay mechanic is returning for the new game.

As it turns out, Resident Evil VII is bringing back item boxes. Resident Evil 4 ditched the item boxes, which were a key feature in older games in the series. For those unfamiliar with the franchise, players use item boxes in Resident Evil to store ammunition, green herbs, and key items when their own inventory is too full. Managing one's inventory was a challenge in the past, and it looks like that inventory management is returning for the new game.

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Back when Resident Evil VII was first revealed during Sony's E3 2016 press conference, many fans were wondering how it would connect to previous games in the series. This new trailer confirms that one way it will accomplish that is with item boxes and the return of inventory management, along with other returning items like shotguns and green herbs, but it remains to be seen where the game's story fits in the franchise's overarching story.

If theories of Ada Wong and Sheva Alomar calling Ethan are true, then it will be clearer how Resident Evil VII connects to other games in the series. There's also the matter of the Umbrella helicopter photograph that can be found in the game's Beginning Hour demo, but it remains to be seen if there's any point to that, or if it's just an Easter Egg for series veterans to enjoy.

In the remaining months leading up to Resident Evil VII's January release, fans can expect some of these lingering mysteries about the game to be cleared up. Fans should also be able to expect Capcom to release more of these short teaser trailers to continue building excitement for Resident Evil VII.

Resident Evil VII will be available on January 24th, 2017 for PC, PS4, PlayStation VR, and Xbox One.