The Mind-Blowing Resident Evil 5 Remake: Unveiling an Unprecedented RE-imagining
A Resident Evil 5 remake is highly anticipated, and it's likely to diverge from the tone of the Resident Evil 2 remake With its action-packed setting and cooperative gameplay, players can expect a thrilling and immersive experience
Whether or not it's the next remake in Capcom's series of franchise remakes, it is highly likely that a Resident Evil 5 remake will happen. The previous remakes of the Resident Evil games have been incredibly successful for Capcom, both critically and commercially. With other titles still available for the studio to reimagine, such as Resident Evil 2, 3, and the recent Resident Evil 4 remake, it seems inevitable that Resident Evil 5 will follow suit. However, fans should anticipate a tonal consistency more in line with Resident Evil 3 rather than Resident Evil 2.
While the Resident Evil 2 remake had a strong horror-leaning tone, some critics and fans had mixed reactions to the Resident Evil 3 remake due to its increased focus on action. Similarly, when Resident Evil 5 was released, fans criticized it for its departure from the survival horror genre and its movement towards being an action game. With the potential for a Resident Evil 5 remake, there is an opportunity to alter some of the action-oriented elements from the original game in favor of a greater emphasis on horror. However, players should not expect a pure survival horror experience like that of Resident Evil 2.
Resident Evil 5's Setting Lends Itself to Action
The importance of lighting in setting the tone of a game cannot be overstated. In horror games specifically, well-executed lighting can greatly impact the sense of tension that players are meant to experience as they progress. A perfect example of this is the remake of Resident Evil 2. While the original game was already a renowned survival horror classic, the remake intensifies the tension through skillful use of darkness and shadow. This results in numerous instances where players are suddenly attacked by zombies that were completely concealed just moments prior.
Given its specific setting, it is nearly impossible for Resident Evil 5 to capture the same type of horror present in the remake of Resident Evil 2. The sun-soaked streets and villages of Africa offer no opportunities for shadows to hide potential threats. Even the underground temple sections are well-illuminated with torches and other sources of light, ensuring that any dangers are plainly visible and easily anticipated. While there are ways that Capcom could enhance the horror in a remake of Resident Evil 5, it would be unlikely for it to reach the same level of foreboding as Resident Evil 2 without a complete change of setting.
The Co-Op Nature of Resident Evil 5 Means Players Are Never Alone
In Resident Evil 2, the characters Claire and Leon only spend limited time together, while Sherry and Ada are companions briefly. On the other hand, Resident Evil 5 features Chris and Sheva who are partnered throughout the entire game, creating a fully cooperative experience. This ensures that players always have an AI companion even when playing solo. This "buddy-cop" approach differs from the tense and isolated atmosphere of Resident Evil 2's Raccoon City.
Similarly, Resident Evil 3 faces challenges in delivering the horror aspect of its genre due to sections where Carlos and Jill fight alongside each other. Although not true dual protagonists like in Resident Evil 5, the later parts of Resident Evil 3 show Jill and Carlos working together to defeat Nemesis and escape Raccoon City. It will be interesting to see how Capcom approaches a remake of Resident Evil 5 and adjusts it to match the consistent tone established in the recent series remakes. Once again, the design of the game leans more towards action than horror.
Resident Evil 5 is available on PC, PS3, PS4, Switch, Xbox 360, and Xbox One.
