Sounds like you, like me, were there from the beginning of the series, and I completely agree. 6 just did nothing for me, but 7 was definitely a step in the right direction. I was hopeful that the Ustanak (I think that's what it was called) would bring back the tension and dread of Nemesis, but it really didn't.
I think it depends on how you look at it. I agree though, the Revelations games (underrated) definitely feel like a lot like RE4. RE5 definitely placed a greater emphasis on action than 4, but I was actually referring less about the tone and more about how the game feels and plays. Similar UI, same over the shoulder perspective, and lots of QTE presses during cutscenes.