The Terrifying Truth: What is the Disease in Resident Evil 5?
The primary disease in Resident Evil 5 is caused by a new strain of the Las Plagas parasite, specifically a more potent and controllable variant known as the Type-2 Plaga. Unlike the Las Plagas seen in Resident Evil 4, this version offers greater control and enhanced capabilities to its hosts, making them even more dangerous and difficult to combat. It’s this parasite that transforms the villagers of Kijuju into the aggressive, bloodthirsty Majini, serving as the main antagonistic force throughout the game.
The Genesis of the Type-2 Plaga
The story of the Type-2 Plaga begins with Tricell, a powerful pharmaceutical company with deep roots in Umbrella. They rediscover and refine the Las Plagas samples from Los Illuminados (Resident Evil 4) under the leadership of Excella Gionne. Her ambition, fueled by Wesker’s machinations, is to create a bio-organic weapon (BOW) even more powerful and controllable than anything seen before.
The key difference between the original Las Plagas and the Type-2 Plaga is Tricell’s manipulation of the parasite’s development. They’ve engineered it to be more responsive to specific commands, particularly those of Excella and, more importantly, Albert Wesker. This control allows them to manipulate the infected more effectively, making them formidable weapons.
How the Type-2 Plaga Works
The Type-2 Plaga infects its host through direct contact with a carrier. This can be through implantation of the parasite itself, as seen with the Ndipaya tribe, or through the saliva and bodily fluids of infected individuals. Once inside the host, the parasite rapidly integrates into the nervous system, taking control of the host’s motor functions and suppressing their free will.
Stages of Infection
The infection process progresses through several stages:
- Initial Infection: The host experiences disorientation, fever, and increasing aggression. The parasite begins to alter their physical appearance, causing veins to darken and eyes to turn bloodshot.
- Full Transformation: The host becomes a Majini, exhibiting increased strength, speed, and aggression. They lose their inhibitions and are driven by a primal instinct to attack and kill. Different types of Majini emerge depending on the individual and the environment.
- Advanced Mutations: In certain cases, the Type-2 Plaga can induce even more drastic mutations. These can result in creatures like the Lickers β (enhanced Lickers created by the parasite) and the dreaded Uroboros.
The Power of Control
The most significant advantage of the Type-2 Plaga is the ability to control its hosts on a mass scale. Excella, using special devices, can influence the Majini through a specific frequency. Wesker is the ultimate control point and can exert influence over all infected individuals. This control is crucial to his plan for global domination.
The Uroboros Virus: A Tangential Threat
While not directly related to the Las Plagas, the Uroboros virus is a significant threat in Resident Evil 5. It’s derived from the Progenitor virus and requires a specific genetic compatibility to prevent the host from being consumed and destroyed. The Uroboros virus creates a monstrous bio-organic weapon composed of biomass. The virus is a key element in Wesker’s ultimate plan to create a superior race of humans and reshape the world in his image.
Why is the Type-2 Plaga More Dangerous?
The Type-2 Plaga represents a significant evolution in bio-weaponry because it combines the brute strength and aggressive behavior of the original Plaga with the added benefit of centralized control. This makes the Majini far more coordinated and effective in combat than the Ganados from Resident Evil 4. The threat extends beyond the immediate danger of being attacked; it presents a scenario where entire populations can be weaponized and controlled, posing a global threat.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What are the Majini?
Majini are the infected individuals controlled by the Type-2 Plaga in Resident Evil 5. They are aggressive, bloodthirsty, and possess enhanced strength and speed compared to normal humans.
2. How does the Uroboros virus factor into Resident Evil 5?
The Uroboros virus is a separate bio-weapon developed by Wesker that is also a key component in his plan for world domination. It turns the infected into a large mass of tentacles and is only compatible with certain genetic makeups.
3. Who is behind the development of the Type-2 Plaga?
Tricell, led by Excella Gionne, is responsible for the development and refinement of the Type-2 Plaga, with Albert Wesker pulling the strings behind the scenes.
4. Is the Type-2 Plaga related to the Las Plagas from Resident Evil 4?
Yes, the Type-2 Plaga is a refined and more controllable version of the Las Plagas parasite from Resident Evil 4.
5. How does infection with the Type-2 Plaga occur?
Infection can occur through direct contact with infected bodily fluids, such as saliva, or through the implantation of the Plaga itself.
6. Can the effects of the Type-2 Plaga be reversed?
There is no known permanent cure for the Type-2 Plaga infection. However, temporary suppression of the parasite’s control is possible.
7. What are some different types of Majini encountered in Resident Evil 5?
Different types of Majini include the common villagers, Executioner Majini, Cephalo Majini (those with head mutations), and others adapted to specific environments.
8. What is the significance of the Ndipaya tribe in relation to the Type-2 Plaga?
The Ndipaya tribe was used as test subjects for the Type-2 Plaga and were directly implanted with the parasites, showcasing the initial stages of Tricell’s experimentation.
9. How is Albert Wesker connected to the Type-2 Plaga?
Albert Wesker is the mastermind behind the development and use of the Type-2 Plaga, aiming to use it to create a superior race of humans under his control.
10. What role does Excella Gionne play in the events of Resident Evil 5?
Excella Gionne is the CEO of Tricell and the primary figure responsible for the development and distribution of the Type-2 Plaga and Uroboros under Wesker’s direction.
11. What makes the Majini different from the Ganados in Resident Evil 4?
The Majini are more agile, stronger, and, most importantly, more coordinated due to the centralized control exerted by Excella and Wesker, unlike the less organized Ganados.
12. How does Tricell control the Majini infected with the Type-2 Plaga?
Tricell uses specific frequencies and devices to exert control over the Majini, allowing them to coordinate attacks and follow commands.
13. What happens to a host that is incompatible with the Uroboros virus?
A host incompatible with the Uroboros virus will be consumed and destroyed by the virus, resulting in a massive, unstable biomass.
14. What is the ultimate goal of Wesker with the Uroboros virus and the Type-2 Plaga?
Wesker’s ultimate goal is to unleash the Uroboros virus on a global scale and create a new world order populated by a superior race of humans that are genetically compatible with the virus, using the Type-2 Plaga as a stepping stone.
15. Why is Resident Evil 5 set in Africa?
Africa provides the ideal setting for the game due to its rich history of viral outbreaks and its connection to the Progenitor virus, the source of both the T-virus and the Uroboros virus. It also served as a suitable location for Tricell’s clandestine research and experimentation with the Type-2 Plaga.