Highlights
- The Resident Evil 5 Remake has the potential to greatly improve the depiction and impact of Sheva, the game's first black female lead, by giving her the same treatment as Carlos in the RE3 Remake.
- Many fans are hoping for a Resident Evil 5 Remake announcement in the near future, as the original game faced controversy regarding its plot and portrayal of Sheva, which can be rectified in a remake.
- In addition to enhancing Sheva's role in the narrative, the remake should also update her bonus unlockables, such as her Tribal Attire, to provide a more modern and respectful representation.
The Resident Evil franchise has been terrifying fans since the 1990s, and its modern remakes have introduced a new generation of fans to some of gaming's most influential horror titles. In addition to updating Resident Evil classics for a new era with pristine graphics and modern action-shooter controls, the RE Remakes have opened the door to more complex and emotional portrayals of their characters. Following the release of Resident Evil 4 Remake earlier this year, fans are expecting Resident Evil 5 Remake to be the next modern remake to be announced. If so, Resident Evil 5 Remake has the opportunity to give another core character the "Carlos Treatment", dramatically improving their depiction and impact on the Resident Evil mythos.
Resident Evil 5 Remake has yet to be officially announced, but many fans are expecting a reveal in the next year. The original game is infamous for transforming Resident Evil almost fully into an action-shooter franchise, as it featured co-op third-person gameplay, campy action scenes, and very few scares. One of its two playable characters, Sheva, was brand new to the series mythos and marked a significant milestone for inclusion as the franchise's first black female lead. However, her depiction and the game's plot in general were controversial, leading to a complete rework of Resident Evil 5 prior to release. The finished project endeared many fans to Sheva but still failed to portray a complex character that could stand on her own.
Why RE5 Remake Should Give Sheva the Carlos Treatment
Resident Evil 3 Remake vastly improved on the characterization of Carlos Oliveira, allowing fans to spend an extended period of time in his shoes. In the original title, Carlos existed as a glorified NPC, aiding Jill on her journey. However, the RE3 Remake made the two true partners, improving the chatter between them, giving Carlos true stakes, and fleshing out his character through both discussion and action with Jill. Everything about the new Carlos was an improvement, and many fans felt a much deeper connection to the character the second time around.
Resident Evil 5 Remake's Sheva is due the same treatment, as her inclusion in the original title was part of Resident Evil 5 being mired in racial controversy. When the original Resident Evil 5's trailer debuted, fans did not take well to its setting and plot, leading to assumptions that the game was reworked thereafter. Still, many fans fell in love with the character, wishing to see her given the respect she deserves.
How Resident Evil 5 Remake Can Improve Upon Sheva's Depiction
While fans consider Resident Evil 5 among the series' weakest titles, many fans would like to see Sheva given another chance in a Resident Evil 5 Remake. As that now looks very likely given the success of past remakes, Capcom can improve upon the character by giving her a greater impact on Resident Evil 5's plot. Like Carlos before her, Sheva can be featured as a more equal part of her title's duo. While her stakes were already quite high in the original title, her impact and characterization can be vastly improved upon in the remake.
In addition to her actual role in the narrative, Sheva's bonus unlockables require an update. The Tribal Attire, consisting of a leopard print bikini top, skirt made of cloth pieces, white paint, and "tribal accessories", highlights everything wrong with the original title and its approach to representation. In the Resident Evil 5 Remake, Capcom can hopefully provide a more complex, impactful, and modern depiction of Sheva, and avoid the pitfalls of the original's plot and optional costumes.