Exclusive: Matthew Mercer Reveals Exciting Plans for Resident Evil One-Shot on Critical Role!

Summary

Mercer is willing to host a special session of Resident Evil on Critical Role and wants to delve into a compact and distinct location, similar to the original game's claustrophobic mansion and underground lab.

Mercer could explore a new horror subgenre and delve into character dynamics and intense battles within the close quarters of a Resident Evil one-shot. With his extensive knowledge and experience as both a player and voice actor in the franchise, coupled with Critical Role's proven ability to deliver captivating stories within well-loved universes, adding Resident Evil to their impressive lineup would be a flawless choice.

Resident Evil: Death Island star, Matt Mercer, shares his desire to explore a particular part of the world if he were to run a Resident Evil one-shot on Critical Role. Having been a fan of the videogames, Mercer has already contributed to the franchise by lending his voice to the character of Leon S. Kennedy in the animated movie Resident Evil: Damnation and several subsequent games. In addition, Mercer recently voiced Ganondorf in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and hosted a Legend of Zelda one-shot for Critical Role to commemorate its release.

During an exclusive interview with Screen Rant for Resident Evil: Death Island, Mercer expresses his interest in the possibility of a Resident Evil one-shot on Critical Role. Although it's not currently in the works, he eagerly shares his ideas for the storyline if given the opportunity. Read Mercer's complete statement below.

Matthew Mercer: It would definitely be a fun conversation to have if the opportunity arose. When it comes to the setting, oh boy, some of the stories can become really grand in scope and scale. However, I find myself drawn to a smaller, more unique location. I can't help but think back to the first time I played the original Resident Evil in high school. The terror of being trapped in a cramped mansion and slowly exploring the horrifying depths of a subterranean laboratory still sticks with me. That's where I would like to take it - back to that feeling. I don't necessarily want to retell any existing stories, but I want to bring a narrative to something smaller, something that embodies classic horror.

Note: This piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, and a lot of the hypothetical work discussed here would be impossible without the collaboration of writers and actors from both unions.

How Matt Mercer Could Bring Resident Evil To Life In A TTRPG One-Shot

Mercer's portfolio of one-shot adventures based on video games is diverse, featuring titles like The Legend of Zelda, Doom, and Elden Ring. However, incorporating Resident Evil into this mix would be an excellent addition, drawing on Mercer's profound familiarity with the game as both a player and voice actor. Within the horror genre, Critical Role has recently ventured into new territory with the game and series, Candela Obscura. Introducing a Resident Evil one-shot would provide Mercer with an opportunity to explore a distinct horror subgenre.

Returning to the essence of the original game, where players are trapped in a single location and must navigate survival and escape amidst a virus outbreak, would be a fitting way to honor this beloved franchise. This scenario would also enable Mercer to delve into character dynamics and engage in close-quarters battles, which tabletop role-playing games naturally lend themselves to. Furthermore, a one-shot adventure would offer an enjoyable means of further immersing players into the Resident Evil world, exploring the repercussions of trauma, and examining the impact of man-made outbreaks on the characters.

If the players were embodying original characters specifically made for the one-shot, Mercer could potentially include a entertaining appearance from Leon S. Kennedy, granted he is given permission to do so. While the possibility of a Resident Evil one-shot is currently hypothetical, Mercer, being both a lifelong fan and an actor deeply involved in this franchise, would be able to offer a fresh perspective and bring it to life. Critical Role has already demonstrated its capability to introduce captivating and innovative narratives within these cherished worlds, and adding Resident Evil to their already impressive collection of one-shots would be a perfect fit.