Untouched Horror Concepts Resident Evil Has Yet to Explore

Article Key Points

The Resident Evil franchise has the opportunity to explore new horror concepts beyond zombies and body horror, such as cosmic horror and home invasion.

A cosmic horror-inspired Resident Evil game may explore otherworldly terrors unleashed by sinister corporations, while a home invasion concept could reimagine the iconic mansion as a secure sanctuary to protect. Furthermore, the franchise has the potential to intensify body horror by emphasizing the protagonist's deterioration and metamorphosis, evoking a profound sense of existential fear. Moreover, the inclusion of ghosts and malicious spirits could offer a genuinely spine-tingling encounter for enthusiasts.

The Resident Evil franchise is widely recognized as the definitive face of horror games, despite not being the first or only one in the genre. Over the span of almost 30 years, Capcom's survival-horror series has captivated fans with numerous mainline entries, spin-offs, and a remarkable resurgence after the underwhelming Resident Evil 6. Since the release of Resident Evil 7, the franchise has demonstrated a willingness to explore new territories and provide fans with unexpected thrills. However, there are still unexplored realms within the horror genre that the series can delve into. While zombies and body horror have always been synonymous with Resident Evil, there have been instances where the games have ventured into other subgenres of horror. For instance, Resident Evil Village embraces a "carnival of horror" approach, with each of the Four Lords' regions embodying a distinct horror trope. With a revitalized direction, successful remakes of classic games, and a wide-open future, there lies a great opportunity for the Resident Evil franchise to continue expanding into fresh and uncharted horror concepts.

Cosmic Horror Resident Evil

The Resident Evil series has explored dark and disturbing themes throughout its extensive history. However, all of the horror has remained grounded on Earth. The concept of introducing a cosmic horror element to Resident Evil is intriguing, as it has proven successful in other franchises such as Dead Space. Instead of battling against bio-weapons created through reckless scientific experiments, the main characters could confront eldritch abominations that have been unearthed by unscrupulous corporations meddling in forbidden territories.

Recommended Films for Inspiration:

Annihilation

The Void

The Color Out of Space

In The Mouth of Madness

Home Invasion/Realistic Horror Resident Evil

Instead of following the conventional formula, the Resident Evil series has the potential to explore a new and intriguing idea - the concept of home invasion. Rather than being trapped in a complex mansion, the protagonist would now have the task of defending their safe space. Another possibility would be for Resident Evil to draw inspiration from games like Condemned: Criminal Origins and have the main character confront real-life terrors, such as a serial killer. Resident Evil 7 already partially delves into this idea by incorporating elements reminiscent of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre into the Baker estate's design, thus proving that this concept holds merit within the context of the series.

Movies worth considering as sources of inspiration include:

You're Next

The Strangers

Manhunter

Don't Breathe

Cronenberg-ian Body Horror Resident Evil

To draw inspiration for this concept, notable films can include:

The Fly

The Thing

ReAnimator

Possessor

Ghastly/Spectral Horror Resident Evil

Notable Film Inspirations:

The Changeling

Poltergeist

The Conjuring

The Others

Resident Evil

Capcom developed the long-running survival horror franchise known as Resident Evil. With a mix of third and first-person action horror, the series features challenging puzzles and is infamous for its zombie-related monsters and references.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z fan, I am excited about the potential for the Resident Evil franchise to explore new horror concepts. I believe that the series has the potential to be even more terrifying and immersive by incorporating elements of cosmic horror, home invasion, grotesque body horror, and spectral encounters.

I am particularly interested in the idea of a cosmic horror-inspired Resident Evil game. I think that this could be a great way to introduce a new level of fear and dread to the series. I would love to see the game explore the idea of otherworldly terrors unleashed by sinister corporations. I think that this could be a great way to create a sense of helplessness and despair in the player.

I am also interested in the idea of a home invasion-inspired Resident Evil game. I think that this could be a great way to create a more personal and intimate horror experience. I would love to see the game explore the idea of the protagonist being trapped in their own home, surrounded by danger. I think that this could be a great way to create a sense of tension and claustrophobia.