Summary
Following the immense success of theResident Evil 4 Remake, the stage appears set for aResident Evil 5 Remaketo be right around the corner. The originalResident Evil 5was a turning point for the survival-horror franchise, introducing a series of unique features and action-focused setpieces. However, its role in the overall shift of theResident Evilfranchise has led the title to acquire a somewhat infamous reputation.Resident Evil 2 RemakeandResident Evil 4 Remakehave set a high bar for developer Capcom’s modern re-imaginings, doubling down on the horror that made them so popular in their heyday.
Resident Evil 5’s expected remake has yet to be officially announced, but the title is a natural choice for Capcom’s next endeavor. The original title is infamous for shifting theResident Evilfranchise towards an action-shooter focus, a focus that progressed to the extreme inResident Evil 6. In the years since, theResident Evilfranchise has doubled down on its survival horror roots, with the recent remakes and the Ethan Winters saga celebrated as a return to form for the series.Resident Evil 5 Remakehas a tough task ahead, as it must balance the series' past and present while modernizing the original’s unique gameplay elements.
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Resident Evil 5 Remake Must Contend with the Original Title’s Reputation
TheResident Evil 5 Remakemay have trouble overcoming the original’s reputation as it marked a dramatic shift in nearly every aspect of gameplay. Rather than a slow and cautious journey through a horror-infused laboratory or dark and mysterious village,Resident Evil 5took returning protagonistChris Redfield and BSAA Operative Sheva Alomarthrough a guns-blazing, cinematically-charged adventure through Kijuju, a fictional West African region. While the series' trademark viruses and genetically engineered bioweapons were once again featured, the title valued quantity over quality. Instead of strategically facing their foes, Chris and Sheva were often tasked with defeating waves of enemies in mob ambush setpieces.
Resident Evil 5was not without its strengths, as the title’s co-op gameplay and late-game narrative offered a compellingResident Evilexperience. Fan-favorite characters like Jill Valentine and Albert Wesker are featured heavily in the game’s plot, which also elaborated on Project W and a prior encounter in which Chris and Jill faced Wesker during a raid on the Spencer Estate.Resident Evil 5: Gold Editionfeatured an additional scenario,Lost in Nightmares, that allowed players to experience this raid first-hand, discovering the fate of Umbrella Co-Founder and President Oswell E. Spencer and the detailed events leading to Jill’s disappearance.
The Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 4 Remakes Have Set A Nearly Impossible Standard
Reputation aside, theResident Evil 5 Remakehas a high bar to live up to, as boththeResident Evil 2andResident Evil 4remakes re-defined their respective titlesfor a modern generation. Both received critical and commercial acclaim for their distinct brand of balancing gameplay and horror, with theResident Evil 4 Remakebeing heralded by some as one of the greatest survival horror titles of all time. This success may set a standard thatResident Evil 5 Remakefinds impossible to meet. With the original’s focus on action-based horror and cooperative combat, the remake will need to redefine its strengths to carve out its own identity.
While theResident Evil 5 Remakehas yet to be announced,Capcom has announced an appearance at Tokyo Game Show 2023. Some fans believe that the presentation will see the reveal of bothResident Evil 9and the series' next big remake. However, old rumors suggest that aResident Evil Code: Veronicaremake may be the developer’s next big project. With less than a month until theResident EvilShowcase, fans don’t have long to wait until the series' future is possibly revealed.
AResident Evil 5remake is rumored to be in development.
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