Highlights
- A remake of Resident Evil 5 would preserve important moments and creative decisions from the original game, such as its introduction of true co-op gameplay and increased action elements.
- Retaining the early-game village encounter in a potential remake, enhanced with new mechanics, could make it a standout moment in the game, similar to the success of a similar mission in the Resident Evil 4 remake.
- Despite mixed opinions, the iconic boulder punch scene should be kept in the remake as it adds to Chris's characterization and represents a memorable moment for many players, potentially serving as a homage or an earnest and entertaining scene.
Since the success of the Resident Evil 2 remake back in 2019, Capcom has been making its way back through the Resident Evil franchise, producing high-end remakes of both Resident Evil 3 and Resident Evil 4. Given this trend, it only makes sense that Capcom would tackle a remake of Resident Evil 5 next.
Although fans regularly poke fun at Resident Evil 5, it's still an entry with several important moments that should be preserved in a remake. Resident Evil 5 follows series mainstay Chris Redfield alongside newcomer Sheva as they traverse West Africa in search of bio-organic weapons that are being sold on the black market. This entry stands out from its predecessors in a few ways; it was the first true co-op game in the series, as players could have their friends join the action as Sheva, and while Resident Evil 4 may have begun the series' pivot from survival-horror to action-survival-horror, Resident Evil 5 took the action up a notch, which some players lamented. These creative decisions have led to a number of memorable and important moments.
A Resident Evil 5 Remake Needs to Keep the Village Chase Level
A Resident Evil 5 remake can learn some lessons from Resident Evil 4's remake, and one important step to follow would be to retain the early-game village encounter. Shortly after Chris and Sheva make it to West Africa, they encounter a horde of Majini in a village. To stay safe, players need to fortify a building, hold off the onslaught, and eventually retreat from the game's tank enemy, the Executioner Majini.
Resident Evil 4's remake showed how successful a mission like this can be when done right. If a Resident Evil 5 remake were to recreate this moment, enhancing it not only visually but mechanically with features like the new Resident Evil 4 parry, it could end up being one of the highlights of the game.
Capcom Should Keep the Boulder Punch In a Resident Evil 5 Remake
While it's likely that many Resident Evil 5 fans look back fondly on the aforementioned village siege level, the same can't exactly be said for the game's infamous boulder scene. Trapped inside an active volcano late in the game, Chris spots a boulder blocking his path. When pushing it doesn't work, he decides to slam it with a couple of right hooks. Perhaps more ridiculous than this attempt is the fact that it actually works, and the boulder moves aside, forming a makeshift bridge across the lava.
Some fans may want this moment removed in a Resident Evil 5 remake, as it has been much maligned for being silly, inappropriate, and nonsensical. However, it is simply too iconic to just get rid of; for a lot of gamers who played Resident Evil 5 back when it launched in 2009, when they think of this game, they think of the boulder punch. The scene, while certainly a bit over the top, fits with Chris's characterization in the modern Resident Evil games, where he is something of a legend, swooping in to save the day near the end of the story.
Chris is overpowered in Resident Evil Village's Mercenaries mode, so it could be fitting for him to pull off such a superhuman feat of strength. It's possible that Capcom will pay homage to this scene in a remake, perhaps having Chris attempt to punch a boulder and getting his hand hurt, or something along those lines. However, one might concede that there is enough irony in modern games, and that an earnest moment like this would be a breath of fresh air and an entertaining scene to watch unfold.
A remake of Resident Evil 5 would be interesting on several different levels. As a game released near the end of the 2000s, it was heavily influenced by the landscape of gaming at the time, along with Capcom's shifting vision for the series. It was the first Resident Evil co-op game, and it had a unique setting and premise. With all these things going for it, it will be important that Capcom keeps its identity intact by retaining some of its most iconic and memorable moments.