Resident Evil 5 Walkthrough Normal Difficulty Chapter 5 Part 1 Underground Garden
9The Underground Garden is a hidden and eerie facility located beneath the Umbrella research station in Resident Evil 5. This area is discovered later in the game, during Chapter 5-2, as Chris Redfield and Sheva Alomar descend deeper into the mysteries of Tricell's bio-weapon research.
Description and Atmosphere
The Underground Garden is a massive subterranean laboratory and containment area where Tricell and its researchers conducted experiments on plants, animals, and humans using strains of the Progenitor Virus—a substance that predates all of Umbrella’s virus variants.
The environment is humid, overgrown, and dimly lit, with patches of lush vegetation intertwined with lab equipment.
Bioluminescent plants and glass chambers holding strange flora hint at unnatural mutations.
The whole facility has an eerie “eco-horror” vibe, blending natural growth with sinister scientific manipulation.
Purpose and Lore
This facility is important because:
It was used to study the original Progenitor Virus, which was first discovered in a natural flower deep in Africa called "Stairway to the Sun".
Tricell tried to replicate the effects of the virus by growing these rare flowers artificially in the lab-like garden environment.
It symbolizes the fusion of natural evolution and man-made corruption, showing how far corporations like Tricell were willing to go for power.
Encounters and Enemies
While exploring the garden, players encounter Licker β (Licker Beta) creatures—grotesque mutants with exposed brains and long tongues that leap out from the shadows.
These encounters create moments of tense survival horror, especially in narrow corridors and dark research chambers.
Gameplay Mechanics
Players must navigate tight halls, avoid ambushes, and solve minor puzzles to progress.
The garden is a transition point between the upper Tricell research areas and the deeper ruins leading toward Wesker’s stronghold.
Resources are limited, making every encounter deadly and requiring smart cooperation in co-op mode.
In Summary
The Underground Garden in Resident Evil 5 is a chilling blend of nature and science gone wrong. It highlights:
Tricell's role in expanding Umbrella’s legacy of bioterrorism.
The origins of the Progenitor Virus.
A shift in tone from action to atmospheric horror, reminiscent of earlier Resident Evil titles.
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