Resurrecting Iconic Resident Evil Enemies: A Must-Have for Future Entries

Resident Evil's enduring success as the top survival horror franchise is largely attributed to its exceptional lineup of terrifying creatures. While the iconic zombies have become synonymous with the series, each installment introduces a captivating array of grotesque bioweapons, crafted by the nefarious Umbrella Corporation. Many of these fearsome adversaries have become fan favorites and have appeared in multiple titles. With the franchise's recent success and Capcom's strategic release approach, it is highly probable that the upcoming title in the series will be Resident Evil 9. This presents an exciting opportunity for the next main sequel to reintroduce long-absent monsters that will surely captivate fans who have been eagerly awaiting their return.

In the original Resident Evil, players were primarily confronted by infected Umbrella researchers who had transformed into "zombies" due to the T-Virus. Aside from battling these undead creatures within the eerie confines of the Spencer Mansion, players also had to brave encounters with zombified dogs, known as Cerberus, and deadly sharks named Neptune. Although the undead and grotesque Cerberus, portrayed as bloodied Doberman Pinschers, have reappeared in various Resident Evil titles, there are numerous other spine-chilling monsters from the original game that have only made sporadic appearances or have yet to be seen again. In Resident Evil 9, these overlooked creatures could receive a remarkable makeover, revitalizing their presence and delivering spine-tingling encounters for players.

The Hunter Should Make a Return in the Next Resident Evil

The fact that the Hunter enemy type has only recently appeared in a mainline series game, specifically Resident Evil 3 (including the 2020 remake), is surprising. However, this iconic monster does make an appearance in Resident Evil Revelations as well. The Hunter is a terrifying adversary in both Resident Evil and Resident Evil 3, as it is a grotesque combination of human and amphibian DNA. It consistently appears at the most inconvenient moments, completely shattering players' temporary feelings of safety.

Playing in Nightmare or Inferno mode in the Resident Evil 3 remake vividly demonstrates the true lethality of the Hunter, as most encounters result in instant death. Considering that Resident Evil 9 will likely continue the trend of using a first-person perspective, the idea of facing a Hunter becomes even more terrifying.

Chimera Haven't Been Seen Since the First Resident Evil

Although the Hunter enemy type has received ample attention since the first installment of Resident Evil, there remains one foe that has strangely been absent from the series since its early days, despite providing one of the most terrifying and gripping encounters in the later stages of the game. This formidable adversary is none other than the Chimera—a chilling amalgamation of human and fly genetics that is as disturbing and unsettling as David Cronenberg's iconic character Seth Brundle/Brundlefly from his renowned and deeply unsettling remake of The Fly.

The Chimera's absence from the main series since the first game presents a promising opportunity for its reintroduction in the next installment of Resident Evil. These creatures possess the ability to navigate ceilings and deliver surprise attacks, making them an ideal addition to the anticipated first-person gameplay of the upcoming game, offering heightened tension and horror.

In addition to their distinctive hissing and clicking noises, Chimera exhibit a darker appearance, allowing them to easily blend into shadows and approach the player undetected. It is challenging to think of another classic enemy from the series that evokes such genuine terror in players. Many fans speculate that Chris Redfield, a longstanding hero in the series, may return as the protagonist in Resident Evil 9. Consequently, what better way to bid farewell to this former STARS member than to pit him against some of his earliest adversaries.

Resident Evil 9 is rumored to be in development.