Resident Evil 9: The Ultimate Evolution of Fears Unleashed in Resident Evil Village
Resident Evil 9 faces the daunting task of following up the success of Resident Evil Village As the Winters saga concludes, fans eagerly await a new chapter that promises to inject fresh innovation and build upon the legacy of beloved characters
Resident Evil Village has emerged as one of the most iconic installments in Capcom's revered survival horror series. Its success can be attributed to its unique blend of new concepts and characters while staying true to the series' dark essence. Even now, two years after its release, Resident Evil Village continues to remain relevant, demonstrating that the franchise has a promising future beyond just successful remakes. However, as the narrative of Village wraps up, Capcom faces a significant challenge in crafting the next scenario for Resident Evil 9.
With Village seemingly concluding the Ethan Winters storyline that began with Resident Evil 7: Biohazard, the future of the series is uncertain. Since its inception in 1996, there have been over 20 Resident Evil games, each with its own distinct tone and atmosphere, providing numerous possibilities for the direction of the next installment. With the inclusion of high-profile modern remakes of classic titles and a growing focus on multiplayer alongside the core survival horror experience, Capcom must carefully deliberate on the path they will take with the ninth entry.
Resident Evil 7 and Village Completely Changed the Series' Tone
The 2017 reboot of Biohazard effectively revitalized the entire franchise, which had received mixed responses after the release of Resident Evil 6 in 2012. Known for its lack of focus and action-heavy gameplay, Resident Evil 6's poor reputation was a wake-up call for Capcom, leading them to reassess their approach.
Therefore, it comes as no surprise that Resident Evil 7, with its complete departure from the previous action-oriented direction, achieved tremendous success and redefined the Resident Evil series as a whole. However, with the recent changes in style seen in Village, it appears that Capcom may be shifting focus back to familiar characters, potentially leaving behind the newly established world.
Resident Evil 9 is Likely to Focus on Legacy Characters
: Ethan Winters' daughter Rose was expected to carry on his legacy in the next game, following the conclusion of Village and its DLC, Shadows of Rose. However, despite showcasing Rose's unique Mold-based powers and the potential for a fresh direction in gameplay, Capcom's official statement prior to the DLC's release confirmed that the Winters family saga would come to an ultimate end. This suggests that the beloved returning characters may take precedence over the exploration of the new world Village introduced.
Speculation abounds regarding the possibility of Chris Redfield taking on the lead role in the upcoming installment of Resident Evil. However, the highly anticipated Resident Evil 9 might surpass expectations by reintroducing beloved characters from the series' past within the newly established and eerie world introduced in Biohazard. With Village's climactic conclusion leaving little room for its cast to explore, Capcom now has the perfect opportunity to revive fan favorites such as Jill Valentine and Claire Redfield, who have been absent for years.
Looking ahead to the next game in the Resident Evil series, it appears that a fresh and menacing threat is likely to emerge after the defeat of Miranda's twisted operation in Village. While the return of beloved characters will certainly delight longtime fans, there is also a worrisome resemblance to the franchise's past. The last time the series reintroduced beloved characters after a more action-oriented title, it arguably reached its lowest point with Resident Evil 6.
However, in the current gaming landscape, which has seen Capcom's successful remakes of its early survival horror classics, there is reason to be hopeful for the future. With an understanding of the series' previous lack of direction, Resident Evil 9 has the potential to blend the new world established in Village with the nostalgic charm of titles like the Resident Evil 4 remake, provided it can establish a strong and focused vision moving forward.
Resident Evil Village is available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
