Resident Evil's success as a video game franchise is undeniable. Exploring themes of corporate greed and corruption, the franchise has created terrifying horror villains, thanks to unethical medical testing that gives a fresh twist to zombies and monsters. With an impressive 27-year history, fans eagerly anticipate what the ninth installment of Resident Evil has in store, following the captivating narratives of Resident Evil 7 and Resident Evil Village.
Speaking of Village, one of the game's villains became an internet sensation. The previews and demos leading up to the release introduced players to Lady Dimitrescu, an unusually tall woman with a chilling thirst for blood. This unique portrayal of a Resident Evil antagonist captured the attention of countless fans, who eagerly wondered how Lady Dimitrescu would fit into the game's storyline. Unfortunately, those expecting her to be the main villain will be surprised by her unexpectedly quick demise in the story.
Resident Evil 9 Should Learn From Lady Dimitrescu
Despite the presence of numerous formidable foes in Village, the premature demise of Lady Dimitrescu temporarily diminished the game's excitement. Promotional materials and teasers alluded to a more significant role for Lady Dimitrescu, making her early exit from the game somewhat disappointing. There is considerable speculation about the potential content of Resident Evil 9, but it should strive to avoid a situation reminiscent of Lady Dimitrescu.
Shining a prominent spotlight on supporting characters prior to a game's release can unintentionally mislead enthusiastic fans. While this decision was likely made to prevent major story spoilers and maintain the element of surprise, alternative methods, such as featuring the tension-filled opening sequence with Ethan and Mia as the playable teaser, could have effectively conveyed the game's overall atmosphere. Lady Dimitrescu's involvement in the story constitutes only a small part of a larger narrative puzzle, and it might have been better to exclude all major villains from Village's marketing campaigns altogether. Alternatively, with the abundance of exceptional villains in Village, each could have received more individual focus instead of heavily relying on Dimitrescu for marketing purposes.
In order to better promote the next Resident Evil game, it is advised to refrain from using a minor character as a major marketing tool. Instead, Capcom should generate anticipation among fans by offering glimpses of the main antagonist, allowing players to be pleasantly surprised by the presence of compelling side characters. While Resident Evil 9 may adopt a different approach from Village, it would be more beneficial for the game to avoid hyping up a minor character only to swiftly dispose of them at the onset.
Despite the premature demise of Lady Dimitrescu, Resident Evil Village remained an outstanding horror game. Given her status as one of the story's standout villains, it would be regrettable to repeat the same mistake in Resident Evil 9. The conclusion of Village has created the possibility for the next game to continue the narratives of both Village and Resident Evil 7, thereby introducing numerous new villains into the storyline. Until an official announcement regarding Resident Evil 9 is made, speculation is the only option, but there is hope for the surprise introduction of equally unique characters, much like Lady Dimitrescu.
Resident Evil 9 is rumored to be in development.