Summary
TheResident Evilfranchise 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 toupdatingResident Evilclassicsfor a new era with pristine graphics and modern action-shooter controls, theRE Remakeshave opened the door to more complex and emotional portrayals of their characters. Following the release ofResident Evil 4 Remakeearlier this year, fans are expectingResident Evil 5 Remaketo be the next modern remake to be announced. If so,Resident Evil 5 Remakehas the opportunity to give another core character the “Carlos Treatment”, dramatically improving their depiction and impact on theResident Evilmythos.
Resident Evil 5 Remakehas yet to be officially announced, but many fans are expecting a reveal in the next year. The original game is infamous for transformingResident Evilalmost 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 ofResident Evil 5prior to release. The finished project endeared many fans to Sheva but still failed to portray a complex character that could stand on her own.
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Why RE5 Remake Should Give Sheva the Carlos Treatment
Resident Evil 3 Remakevastly 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, theRE3 Remakemade 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 ofResident Evil 5being mired in racial controversy. When the originalResident 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 considerResident Evil 5among the series' weakest titles,many fans would like to see Sheva given another chancein aResident 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 onResident 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 unlockablesrequire 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 theResident 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.
MORE:Why a Resident Evil 5 Remake May Be More Like RE3’s Remake Than RE2’s
