TheResident Evilseries has become synonymous with survival horror, providing fans with nearly 27 years of tense and terrifying video game titles. However, it is also known for another characteristic that stands in stark contrast to its more prominent horror elements - equippable skins. ClassicResident Eviltitles rewarded players with unique skins if they met certain completion requirements, and, as the series progressed, these outfits grew to become a fan-favorite feature. As classicResident Eviltitles have been remade and released, series developer Capcom has offered players modernized versions of some skins as pre-order bonuses. Capcom’sResident Evil 5 Remakecould make the best use of pre-order skins yet, as the original marked the heyday of the series' unique approach to cosmetics.
The originalResident Evil 5was released in 2009. Its predecessor,Resident Evil 4, ushered in a new era for both the series and the survival-horror genre as well, mixing B-movie action with truly terrifying gameplay.Resident Evil 5saw the series double down on the action and, despite receiving critical and commercial acclaim, would mark the series' downturn in more ways than one. The title was mired in racial controversy from the moment its first trailer debuted, leading to the addition of a second playable character, West African BSAA agent Sheva. Further, its action-movie set pieces left longtime horror fans unsatisfied.
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Resident Evil 5’s Alternate Costumes Were Memorable, For Better or Worse
Resident Evil 5is one of the most divisive entries in the series. Despite its departure from true survival horror and ridiculous action-set pieces, the game delivers an overserious narrative that detracts from its own concepts. However, the game also offers some of the most memorable alternate costumes that theResident Evilfranchise has ever created, injecting a much-needed sense of levity into subsequent playthroughs. Some of the title’s most memorable costumes include Warrior Chris, which sees the character don leather and spikes akin toMad Max,and Fairytale Sheva, which transforms the BSAA agent into a zombie-slaying Little Red Riding Hood.
Unfortunately, alternate costumes also highlighted one ofResident Evil 5’s glaring issues. Each character has a “final” outfit, the ultimate reward for completing the game while collecting every BSAA badge. Sheva’s reward is the Tribal costume, which drapes the character in a leopard print bikini top, a cloth skirt, a necklace of teeth, neck bangles, and full-body tribal tattoos. At the time of release, the outfit was considered by many to be in poor taste, as it both oversexualized the series' first black female protagonist and depicted her as a primitive stereotype. Should the title be remade, Capcom would need to address some of its alternate outfits, alongside other problematic elements.
Resident Evil 5 Remake Could Offer The Series' Best Pre-Order Skins
This year’sResident Evil 4 Remakefeatured unique costumes, continuing the series tradition with its pre-orders and deluxe edition. AsResident Evil 5was essentially the start of this trend, its remake should follow suit with the original’s most memorable skins. Modernized versions of both Warrior Chris and Fairytale Sheva would be the perfect pre-order bonus for longtime fans. However, Capcom could go the extra mile by using what it’s learned over the years to offer brand-new and culturally appropriate alternatives to its more infamous skins as well.
TheResident Evil 5 Remakecan learn a lot from prior titlesin both the mainline and remake series. Perhaps the most important lesson is how to reinvent a title for modern audiences. There are plenty of issues that aResident Evil 5 Remakewill need to address, as both its narrative and setting are already quite divisive. However, it can make a statement early by delivering pre-order skins that highlight the best of the original’s offerings, while addressing its worst head-on. TheResident Evil 5 Remakehas a tough job ahead of it, and fans hope that Capcom will succeed in creating a fresh and modern reimagining of one of the series' most divisive titles.
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