Summary
Capcom has steered its seminal survival horror series,Resident Evil, through thick and thin over the course of nearly thirty years. After a rougher patch that lasted from around 2012 to 2017,Resident Evil 7marked a turning point for the IP. WithRE7and releases since, the studio has placedREonce again at the forefront of the genre. One thing that pretty much every title, up to and includingRE7’s sequel,Resident Evil Village, has contained is a healthy sprinkling of campy charm among its more serious and gruesome aspects. The series has numerous instances of these, with a few other notable ones occurring in last year’s well-receivedResident Evil 4 Remake.
Though as yet unannounced, it is a common assumption that Capcom will giveResident Evil 5a similar remake treatment as it has forRE2to4. According to noted leaks,Resident Evil ZeroandCode: Veronicaremakesare actually set to come next. This subverts some expectations thatRE5 Remakeand a ninth main entry were to be the next projects for the franchise. However, it’s still likelyRE5will see a remake, and there’s a very specific line of dialogue in the vein of the above delivered by charismatic villain Heisenberg inVillagethat pokes fun at a scene fromRE5, and perhaps signals that the studio is set on retaining it in a remake.
Capcom recently confirmed thatResident Evil 9is in the works. Koshi Nakanishi, director ofRevelationsandRE7, will be helming the ninth installment. Nakanishi was also a designer onResident Evil 5.
Heisenberg’s RE5 Reference in Village Suggests it Won’t be Left on the Cutting Room Floor for the Remake
Resident Evil 5’s Boulder Punching Scene is the Franchise’s Most Well-known Jump the Shark Moment
Going back to the firstResident Evil, Barry Burton’s “Jill sandwich” comment set the tone for many of the offhanded remarks and amusing situations that would be included asREprogressed. Another example is Leon Kennedy’s quippy exchange with Salazar inResident Evil 4.
But it’s the unforgettable and heavily memed moment inResident Evil 5when Chris Redfield removes an obstructing boulder with his bare fists while confrontingAlbert Wesker(in the heart of an active volcano, no less) that takes the prize. Even withRE5’s more over-the-top action-leaning direction, it’s probably the most absurd turn of events in the series and was forever etched intoRE’s legacy afterward.
Capcom Acknowledging Resident Evil 5’s ‘Boulder Incident’ in Village Implies It’s Committed to the Gag for the Remake
Resident Evil Villagehas its own share of cheesy moments, and Capcom seemed to embrace the silliness of the scene in question fromRE5by calling back to it inVillage. Heisenberg delivers a hilarious line during his boss fight, referring to Chris as “that boulder-punching a–hole.” Putting aside the question of how Heisenberg would even be aware of that particular action from Chris' past, it was an unexpectedly funny inclusion and allusion, giving fans a laugh at the series' own expense and showing that Capcom hasn’t forgotten about one ofRE’s most ridiculous pieces of content.
Resident Evil 5is a divisive entry in the series for a few reasons and isn’t often as fondly remembered compared toRE4and others. However, for better or worse,Resident Evil 5’s legacyis linked to the boulder scene, and it itself is almost universally liked for its sheer audacity and comedy factor. Fans may recall the removal of the giant Salazar statue chase from the originalRE4for the remake, which was one of that title’s campier inclusions. Its absence from the remake was notable in that it meant Capcom wasn’t afraid of making significant changes in the modern remakes.
With any other possibleupdates and improvements to aResident Evil 5 Remakethat Capcom might be considering, the infamous scene could easily be altered to something less outlandish or removed altogether, a laRE4. Still, the mention of it inVillagecould signify that the studio has accepted and may intend on keeping it in some form for anRE5remake, with its classic goofy charm on full display.
Resident Evil Village
WHERE TO PLAY
Ethan Winters finds himself in an entirely new nightmare in Capcom’s latest installment of the acclaimed Resident Evil franchise. Whether you’re defending against Lycans in the grim dwellings of the village or exploring the lavish Castle Dimitrescu, the meticulously designed environments immerse you in this eerie world, powered by Capcom’s proprietary RE Engine. Run from, hide or face off against a diverse cast of terrifying village inhabitants in dream-like - no, nightmarish - situations and fight your instincts to push through classic horror-based sequences. Also, be sure to check out “The Mercenaries” that unlocks once you’ve finished the campaign, a fast-paced and arcade-like game mode which challenges players to blast away enemies against the clock.
