After 17 Years, the Most Controversial Resident Evil Game Has Some Fans Begging For A Remake

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Capcom has been very successful with the Resident Evil series lately, and the newest game, Resident Evil Requiem, is receiving excellent reviews. This positive reception follows a trend of popular games, including well-received remakes of classic Resident Evil titles like Resident Evil 2 Remake and Resident Evil 4 Remake. However, it remains to be seen if this success will lead to even more new Resident Evil games in the future.

As a huge fan, I was blown away by the Resident Evil 2 Remake! Capcom really nailed it, bringing the classic gameplay into a modern over-the-shoulder style. It was such a success, it led to remakes of Resident Evil 3 and 4, which I also loved. The recent DLC for Resident Evil Requiem shows they’re still invested in the series, but I’m really hoping they announce another remake soon – I’m ready for more!

Resident Evil 5 Released In March 2009 To Many Mixed Reviews

Released almost 17 years ago on March 5, 2009, for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC, Resident Evil 5 sparked considerable debate. A major point of contention was its depiction of Africa and its people, which many criticized as relying on harmful stereotypes and labeled as racist. While not necessarily intentional, the negative reaction to the game’s cultural portrayal ultimately led Capcom to work with Western public relations teams to improve authentic representation in future titles.

The game Resident Evil 5 faced criticism for relying on harmful, colonial-era stereotypes with its main character, Chris Redfield, and for portraying African groups as enemies. While Capcom tried to address these issues by including a mixed-race character, Sheva Alomar, in the story, many players still found the depictions offensive. Early footage shown in 2008 and discussed in interviews with MTV’s N’Gai Croal revealed Capcom’s problematic approach to representing Black people, which sparked widespread complaints about the game.

Despite some criticisms after its release and ongoing discussion, Resident Evil 5 remains a unique entry in the Resident Evil series. While Resident Evil 4 also featured different cultures, RE 5’s portrayal felt more careless. Beyond the story, many fans were disappointed that the game shifted towards more action-focused gameplay, moving away from the series’ traditional survival horror roots.

Co-op Multiplayer & Heavy Action Defined Resident Evil 5’s Bombastic Gameplay

Even before Resident Evil 6 fully embraced action, Resident Evil 5 built upon the third-person gameplay that later Resident Evil remakes became known for. Essentially, Resident Evil 5 expanded the action-focused systems introduced in Resident Evil 4, giving players more over-the-top ways to fight enemies. This change has always been divisive among fans – some enjoy the fast-paced action, while others miss the slower, more strategic combat of the older games.

The biggest innovation in Resident Evil 5 was the addition of cooperative gameplay, allowing two players to fight the zombie outbreaks side-by-side. Players control both Sheva Alomar and Chris Redfield, skilled operatives who rely on weapons and training to defeat monsters and powerful enemies like Albert Wesker. Many fans consider the teamwork and coordinated action sequences in RE 5 to be the game’s strongest feature, making those moments particularly fun.

Players can work together by healing each other, using gestures to communicate, and performing other actions that make teamwork enjoyable. Many fans fondly remember the lighthearted and often silly experience of playing through Resident Evil 5 with a friend – especially the accidental friendly fire and unexpected environmental mishaps that led to hilarious moments. This chaotic and unpredictable multiplayer experience hasn’t been replicated in recent Resident Evil games, and many players are hoping it will return in a future installment.

The Success Of Other Resident Evil Remakes & Resident Evil Requiem Might Bring This Divisive Game Back

While the online multiplayer was a big part of Resident Evil 5, some of the game’s controversial elements could make a remake more difficult. Although a Resident Evil 5 Remake seems like the next logical step for Capcom, it would likely require significant changes to appeal to modern players. The negative reaction to RE 5 would probably be even more intense now if it were simply re-released without addressing its problematic content.

With the strong performance of Resident Evil Requiem and the Resident Evil 4 Remake, Capcom might consider revisiting Resident Evil 5. They could update and improve the game to meet today’s expectations. Interestingly, this wouldn’t be a major overhaul, as RE 5 already features the same over-the-shoulder camera angle used in the newer remakes. While updating the multiplayer features could be challenging, it could also give a new RE 5 a unique advantage over recent releases.

It’s possible Capcom won’t remake Resident Evil 5, even if fans would like it. Instead, the company seems to be prioritizing Resident Evil 10 as the next installment in the popular survival horror franchise.

What are your thoughts on the upcoming remake of Resident Evil 5? Share your opinion in the comments or discuss it with other fans on the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-03-15 22:14