The undyingResident Evilseries has been enjoying something of a renaissance these past few years, due in large part to successful remakes of classic entries, with 2009’sResident Evil 5possibly being next in line. Capcom has been keepingnews about upcomingResident Evilgames under wrapssince the launch of 2023’sResident Evil 4remake, so there’s no official confirmation that a remake ofResident Evil 5is on the way, but it certainly seems like a likely prospect.
It’s not only likely due to Capcom’s successful slew of remakes—the company would effectively be leaving money on the table were it not to push ahead withResident Evil 5—but also becauseRE5is perhaps the entry most in need of a refresh. It retains the semi-tank controls of its predecessor, but whileRE4leverages its now-dated control scheme to elevate fear and tension,RE5’s combination of restrictive movement and large, fast-paced enemy encounters can wind up feeling awkward and cumbersome rather than frightening. Additionally, the game suffers from the beige-and-gray curse that plagued the middle years of the seventh console generation, making it something of an eyesore for the average modern player. Issues like these, alongside some other oddities and hiccups, could be ironed out in a modern remake.
Resident Evil 5’s Remake Shouldn’t Pass Up the Chance to Improve the Ndesu Fight
The Ndesu Boss Battle Is One of Resident Evil 5’s Low Points
Seemingly taking inspiration fromResident Evil rail-shooters likeThe Umbrella ChroniclesandThe Darkside Chronicles, the Ndesu boss fight near the end of Chapter 2 is emblematic of many ofRE5’s biggest problems. It’s a visually rich spectacle, replete with explosions and a terrifying behemoth to take down, but mechanically, it’s rather bland. Chris and Sheva are relegated to positions on the rear of a stationary vehicle, and taking down the Ndesu is an exercise in managing gatling gun heat levels and picking off the occasional Majini that crops up, which is often more annoying than engaging.
Like much ofResident Evil 5, the Ndesu encounter is better in co-op, as one player can manage secondary enemies while the other takes down the boss, but it still leaves a lot to be desired.
A Resident Evil 5 Remake Could Realize the Full Potential of the Ndesu Fight
The Chapter 2 encounter with the Ndesu is ultimately underwhelming, but that doesn’t need to be the case in a theoreticalRE5remake.Modernization ofResident Evil 5could translate to the Ndesu fight by making it less on-rails and allowing for more player agency, similar to the El Gigante encounters inRE4, wherein players are free to roam about the battle arena. Untethering the player from one location means opening the door to different strategies, maneuvers, and exploits, ultimately making for a more multifaceted setpiece.
Perhaps the remake could retain certain elements of the original fight, like the car-mounted gatling guns, but with a twist. For instance, players could take advantage of the gun’s damage and stopping power, but sticking to the mounted guns for too long could make them vulnerable. If playing asChris in the remake feels half as good as playing as Leon inRE4’s remake, then this added level of mobility and flexibility would go a long way toward making this fight more enjoyable.
It will certainly be interesting to see if and how Capcom proceeds with theResident Evil 5remake. Though often remembered fondly, it’s also viewed as a step in the series' downfall before the soft-reboot that wasResident Evil 7, and as such, there’s quite a bit of room for improvement.Resident Evil 5’s remake may retain the original’s action-focused gameplay, but it should also leave behind the worst aspects of its era.
Resident Evil 5
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The Umbrella Corporation and its crop of lethal viruses have been destroyed and contained. But a new, more dangerous threat has emerged. Years after surviving the events in Raccoon City, Chris Redfield has been fighting the scourge of bio-organic weapons all over the world. Now a member of the Bioterrorism Security Assessment Alliance (BSAA), Chris is sent to Africa to investigate a biological agent that is transforming the populace into aggressive and disturbing creatures. Joined by another local BSAA agent, Sheva Alomar, the two must work together to solve the truth behind the disturbing turn of events.
