Highlights

  • Wesker's iconic design from Resident Evil 5, with his black trench coat and superpowers, may need to be toned down for the more grounded and realistic tone of future Resident Evil remakes.
  • However, Wesker's portrayal in Resident Evil 4 has shown that a more serious take on the character is possible, keeping his sinister voice and essence intact.
  • The success of Resident Evil 4's balance between classic elements and modernization suggests that Wesker's character can remain the same while fitting into the updated gameplay and storytelling of a potential Resident Evil 5 remake.

Albert Wesker is easily one of the most iconic characters in not only the Resident Evil franchise but all gaming. The character's most recent appearance in the Resident Evil 4 remake perfectly set up a return in future installments, such as a hypothetical remake of either Code: Veronica remake or Resident Evil 5. His portrayal in RE4 remained mostly consistent with past iterations of the character, particularly that from the RE1 remake. However, the Wesker that fans know and love from RE5 has a very specific nuance that could pose a challenge for future Resident Evil games moving forward.

Overall, the recent Resident Evil remakes have opted for a more grounded tone, emphasizing dramatic storytelling and genuine horror elements. Even so, they have still done a tremendous job of maintaining the classic elements that made RE so iconic. Nearly every monster, character, weapon, and environment is still represented in some way, albeit in an updated fashion. The Resident Evil remake formula has worked very well so far, but games after RE4 pose a unique challenge. As RE5 takes everything up a notch, it may be a challenge to strike the right balance.

Resident Evil Characters Walking into Sunset
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How Resident Evil 5 Remake Could Change Wesker

Why Wesker Would Need To Change

Albert Wesker is one of the most recognizable villains in video games. The primary image that most fans see when they think of the character is his design and demeanor from Resident Evil 5, one of the best-selling in the series. The long black trench coat and superpowers are certainly iconic but also could be a bit much for the RE remake tone. Depending on the direction of Resident Evil 5, Wesker may need to be toned down.

If RE5 aims to focus on reinventing the game with a new sense of realism and dramatic cutscenes, then Wesker would need some updating. The version of Wesker in RE4 has already shown that a more serious take on the character is possible. If Capcom decides to double down on this approach, the days of the trench coat and British-inspired accent may be over. Though the portrayal by actor D.C. Douglas was memorable, a different take would likely be better suited for the new era.

How Wesker Can Remain The Same

Resident Evil 4 has shown that Wesker can still be a comic book-level villain in the modern day. The shades remain the same, his voice is still as sinister as ever, and his wardrobe is that of a classy movie antagonist. Perhaps slightly more modern and realistic, his character design and voice still embody the essence of the character, not to mention that RE4 Mercenaries proved that Wesker's powers can still be presented in a way that feels believable and fun.

Specifically, RE4 successfully maintained the classic's crazy elements while simultaneously making the game more realistic, horror-focused, and grounded in a way. That said, many contemporary Capcom releases have shown that classic over-the-top game elements can be modernized and polished for today's audience, such as:

  • Devil May Cry 5
  • Street Fighter 6
  • Resident Evil 4
  • Monster Hunter World

Resident Evil 5 could follow in RE4's footsteps in doing the same, keeping all the mayhem fans love in the process. A remade version of Wesker's boss fight would be great to see, with new mechanics to experiment with. The portrayal of Wesker comes into question when thinking of remakes as he is such a fan-favorite character, but if recent Capcom games are any indication, it will likely be done faithfully.