If rumors about Resident Evil 9‘s story, setting, and characters turn out to be true, then the upcoming sequel could use these as inspiration to combine one of the series’ most iconic monsters with its more recent mold biohazard. With anticipation already building ahead of the next game in the long-running Resident Evil series, it is unsurprising that leaks and rumors have started circulating about the likes of its returning characters, potential story, and where the game will be set. Should these rumors be credible with characters like Jill and Leon making a comeback, Resident Evil 9 could also see the return of a classic series monster.
Having first debuted in 1998’s Resident Evil 2 and more recently appeared in the remake of Resident Evil 3 in 2020, the Licker is among Resident Evil‘s most iconic enemies alongside the likes of Nemesis and Regenerators. However, despite this, the Licker has yet to feature in any of the recent Resident Evil games following the Megamycete storyline that began with Resident Evil 7: Biohazard. Given that rumors hint that Resident Evil 9 will both continue and potentially conclude this ongoing narrative, the upcoming game will be the last chance to create a terrifying mold alternative to the series’ classic Licker.
1:11
Related
Legacy Characters Potentially Returning in Resident Evil 9 Opens the Door to One Obvious Opportunity
Some iconic characters could provide the perfect opportunity for a popular feature from two of Resident Evil’s more unpopular games to return.
Resident Evil 9 Rumors Could Help Inspire the Licker’s Return
Though all rumors about Resident Evil 9 should be taken with a pinch of salt, some potential leaks about the upcoming game have a decent probability of being true, such as Chris Redfield’s or Rosemary Winters’ possible roles as protagonists after their appearances in Resident Evil Village and its DLC. Among these details, rumors about other classic characters returning, an island setting off the coast of Singapore, and more exploration into the story of Eveline and Resident Evil 7‘s Mold could prove most interesting. More specifically, these rumors, in combination with one another, could inspire and help pave the way for the Licker to return.
A Molded Licker Hybrid Would be Perfect for Resident Evil 9
While Resident Evil 7 established monsters like the Molded when adding its Mold alongside other viruses throughout the series, Resident Evil Village expanded the Mold’s range of creatures through the Cadou parasites and the Megamycete. But with the likes of Resident Evil Village‘s Lycans and Moroaica or even Resident Evil 4‘s Ganados acting as possible parallels to the series’ classic zombie, the iconic Licker has yet to return in this most recent narrative, either as itself or as a Molded variant. However, with the potential the Licker has for Resident Evil 7‘s newfound first-person gameplay with stealth and combat, Resident Evil 9 ought to capitalize on this.
With players reacquainted with Lickers thanks to recent Resident Evil remakes, Resident Evil 9 could carry over the Lickers’ existing behaviors, like listening and attack patterns, with adaptations to the game’s rumored first-person open-world design. Then, drawing inspiration from past monster designs like the organic visuals of Resident Evil 7‘s Molded and the inhuman science and technology of Resident Evil Village‘s Soldats, the Lickers’ iconic features such as an exposed brain, tongue, and blindness could have Molded and augmented variations. Should Resident Evil 9 potentially be the Mold’s last game, it may be the only chance for players to experience a Molded Licker.
A Molded Licker in Resident Evil 9 Could Pull Inspiration From Elsewhere
Past Resident Evil games have always sought inspiration for monsters from across entertainment and culture, such as Resident Evil 3: Nemesis‘ Director Kazuhiro Aoyama claiming to have been influenced by Day of the Dead when creating its titular Nemesis villain. Should the Licker return as a Molded variant alongside other classic protagonists rumored for Resident Evil 9, Capcom could take inspiration for its new design from Japanese mythology surrounding yokai, specifically with the Akaname or “filth-licker.” Given Resident Evil 9‘s rumored island setting with derelict rural locations, a Molded Licker based on the likes of the Akaname would be perfect for the game’s backdrop and Megamycete lore.
Experience survival horror like never before in the eighth major installment in the storied Resident Evil franchise – Resident Evil Village.
Set a few years after the horrifying events in the critically acclaimed Resident Evil 7 biohazard, the all-new storyline begins with Ethan Winters and his wife Mia living peacefully in a new location, free from their past nightmares. Just as they are building their new life together, tragedy befalls them once again.
First-Person Action – Players will assume the role of Ethan Winters and experience every up-close battle and terrifying pursuit through a first-person perspective.
Familiar Faces and New Foes – Chris Redfield has typically been a hero in the Resident Evil series, but his appearance in Resident Evil Village seemingly shrouds him in sinister motives. A host of new adversaries inhabiting the village will relentlessly hunt Ethan and hinder his every move as he attempts to make sense of the new nightmare he finds himself in.
- Released
- May 7, 2021
- Engine
- RE Engine
- ESRB
- m
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty