Summary
TheResident Evilseries has cemented itself as one of the greatest horror franchises of all time. However, there was a brief period in history when theResident Evilgame series diverted from the path and attempted to ingrain itself in the realm of action-adventure shooters.Resident Evil 5andResident Evil 6were released at this time, boasting thrilling action set-pieces, a rapid pace, and, most favorably, a solid co-op feature. Though the series has since returned to its roots, developer Capcom’s remake series has now caught up toResident Evil 5, leading fans, and the gaming world at large, to question howRE5andRE6will implement their co-op gameplay. With no current co-op system in place, the effort required to provide this feature in theRE5andRE6remakes could prove a short-lived endeavor.
In 2024, theResident Evilseries is back in the spotlight. The mainline series is ushering in a new first-person era, while the remakes reintroduce fans to what made the classics so acclaimed. TheResident Evil 5remake therefore provides quite a challenging scenario, as it must maintain the remake series' momentum while capturing the essence of the franchise’s action-adventure era. Co-op provides a compelling opportunity, as it has yet to reappear in modernResident Eviltitles, and could provide a solid platform from which theRE5andRE6remakes could be made all the more terrifying. However, this will be a lot of work for a feature that may only be used in these two remakes.
A Resident Evil Remake Co-Op Feature Is All Work, Little Reward
TheResident Evilremake serieshas rebuilt some of horror gaming’s best experiences from the ground up, taking full advantage of the RE Engine. However, no title has yet to feature a co-op mechanic, let alone a fully implemented co-op campaign. With aResident Evil 5remake seemingly right around the corner, developer Capcom faces the monumental challenge of creating a co-op feature from scratch and building two full titles around it. The problem is that the follow-up to these titles is already set in stone, and history saw the series leave co-op far behind.
Creating a co-op mechanic is essential to capturingthe core qualities ofResident Evil 5andResident Evil 6, but offers a rather short-lived reward. Additionally, it runs the risk of detracting from Capcom’s efforts to course-correct the tone and narrative elements of both titles to better align with the remake series' tone and newfound strengths. Capcom may use this brand-new co-op system as inspiration to introduce an original mode or challenge for theRE5andRE6remakes, to stretch the feature’s usefulness. Still, given how wellResident Evil7 andResident Evil Villagewere received,Resident Evil 9would be unlikely to have this co-op feature, meaning that Capcom would have to rebuild a co-op system for only two remakes.
Though Unlikely, RE5 and RE6 Co-op Could Mean Big Things for The Series’ Future
While the usefulness of a new co-op mechanic is likely to remain limited in theResident Evilremake series, the efforts to create it could give rise to a bold vision for the series’ future. The monumental effort required to create a modern co-op mechanic inthe RE Enginewould likely prove a waste if only done for two remakes. As such, if theRE5andRE6remakes do feature co-op and are well received, it stands to reason that the feature could be implemented in future titles as well. Whether that would apply to future titles’ campaigns or revamped cooperative modes is a different debate altogether.
TheResident Evil 5remake is assumed to be one of the series' next major releases, with onlyResident Evil 9possibly arriving earlier. With Capcom seemingly in the process of designing or implementing co-op for the remake, it stands to reason that a co-op element could be featured inRE9as well, if for no other reason than to capitalize on the efforts to create one. It remains to be seen if theRE5andRE6remakes will even feature co-op, with neither title having been officially confirmed as “in-development.” However, the feature is essential to recapturing each title’s respective strengths, and, should revamped co-op be featured, the reward for Capcom’s efforts will prove short-lived if the feature does not see application in futureResident Eviltitles.
Resident Evil
Resident Evil is a long-running survival horror franchise developed by Capcom. Spread across numerous mainline and spin-off entries, the series is known for it’s third and first-person action horror, zombie-related monsters and references, and challenging puzzles.
