Platinum Games, an independent Japanese development studio formed under the leadership of Resident Evil creator Shinji Mikami, has released a demo for their upcoming third person shooter Vanquish.

The game is set in the near future where (as is customary in the near future) the United States and Russia are vying for control of planet Earth’s rapidly diminishing natural resources. The US have constructed a space station which harnesses energy from the sun and the sneaky Russians, instead of building their own, simply capture the US station.

Knowing that the Americans probably wouldn’t stand for this, the Russians blast San Francisco to smithereens using a harnessed ray of solar energy. Whilst the Russians are reloading, and taking aim at New York, the Americans launch a covert attack on the station with the hope of recapture before the Russians force an American surrender.

Gamers will take on the role of Sam, a member of this task force whom is equipped with a totally awesome futuristic metal battlesuit.

The demo, which serves as a prequel to the events of the full Vanquish game, will be released today (31 August 2010) for the US Xbox Live Marketplace, and the US PlayStation Store, so South African’s with US XBL accounts can grab the demo now. Expect a download of roughly 470MB.

Check out the Vanquish debut trailer below: