Key Highlights
- Dashiell Wood and Oscar Taylor-Kent investigate the potential for a Resident Evil 5 remake.
- The original Resident Evil 5 was released in 2009, now considered close to two decades old.
- Despite the success of Resident Evil 4’s remake, questions arise about whether a fifth game needs revisiting.
- Taylor-Kent believes Resident Evil 5 lacks much to offer beyond co-op, while Wood advocates for its remaking.
The Resurgence of Survival Horror: A Debate on Remakes
Gaming has seen a resurgence in survival horror with the success of titles like Resident Evil 4’s remake. However, the question remains whether another entry in the series, specifically Resident Evil 5, deserves a similar treatment. To explore this, Dashiell Wood and Oscar Taylor-Kent embarked on an investigation, forcing each other to play co-op through the original game.
A Critical Look at Resident Evil 5’s Multiplayer
Originally released in 2009, Resident Evil 5 has aged poorly according to Taylor-Kent. The game’s cooperative mode, while a feature, lacks the depth and tension that made its predecessor so engaging. “Seven minutes is all I can spare to play with you,” quips Taylor-Kent humorously, capturing the limited time available for co-op.
The game’s co-op experience is described as a step backward from Resident Evil 4’s balance of action and horror. “It tips the careful action-horror balance completely over to become about as scary as a Scooby-Doo episode,” Taylor-Kent notes, highlighting how the game fails to maintain its intended atmosphere.
Remaking vs. Moving On
In contrast, Wood argues that Resident Evil 5 deserves a remake due to the logical succession it represents within the series. He points out several improvements like the removal of the annoying Ashley character and enhanced tension through tighter inventory management and increased action. However, these enhancements come with significant issues.
Wood acknowledges the game’s shortcomings, such as tedious cover-based shooting slowing down later sections and confusing boss fights that lack clear objectives.
He cites a specific example where Taylor-Kent was repeatedly one-hit killed by a laser beam due to misusing mirrors. This led them to wait out lengthy loading screens in frustration.
The portrayal of the game’s setting, set in a fictional African nation, is also criticized for uncomfortable racial stereotypes that make certain sections difficult to sit through. Despite these issues, Wood believes Capcom should revisit Resident Evil 5 given its potential and the success of recent remakes.
Expert Perspectives
The debate reflects broader questions about the future of survival horror in gaming. While Resident Evil Requiem and other titles have brought new life to the genre, the viability of revisiting older entries like Resident Evil 5 is questionable. Both Wood and Taylor-Kent’s experiences highlight the challenge of balancing nostalgia with modern gameplay expectations.
Ultimately, whether a Resident Evil 5 remake should happen depends on how well Capcom can address its flaws while honoring the legacy of the series.
The discussion continues as gamers await the company’s next move in the ever-evolving world of survival horror gaming.
What do you think? Should Resident Evil 5 be remade? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
For more zombie fun, check out our best Resident Evil games ranking!
