Summary
- Resident Evil 9 will reportedly be a “big reinvention” for the series on par with Resident Evil 4 and 7: Biohazard.
- While this seems to indicate another change in camera perspective, it’s likely a reference to an old leak.
- Last year, it was reported that Resident Evil 9 will be open world, a first for the series.
Resident Evil 9 might completely throw out the rulebook, if not set it on fire (all while Leon Kennedy broodingly flicks his hair back). That’s according to leaker Dusk Golem, who claims that the long-awaited sequel will mark a major shift for the series on par with Resident Evil 4 and 7: Biohazard.
Resident Evil 4 adopted an over-the-shoulder camera rather than the fixed perspective that the series (and more broadly, survival horror) was known for. Resident Evil 7 would later move away from that approach entirely in favour of a more intimate first-person perspective to fully embrace the return to horror. Both were radical changes that cemented distinct eras for the series.
[Resident Evil 9] is taking so long is because it’s like a big reinvention of the series, to the same level as RE4 & RE7. It’s not going to play just like RE7/RE8 or the Remakes, it’s trying new things & very ambitious — Dusk Golem.
The remakes have since brought back over-the-shoulder action as to differentiate themselves from the main games (although Village added the option in an update), but according to Dusk Golem, Resident Evil 9 will not play “just like RE7/RE8 or the Remakes”. What that means is unclear. His examples seem to indicate a shift in perspective again, given that’s what Resi4 and Resi7 are known for, but since that would only leave a return to fixed cameras, an isometric perspective, or something bizarrely experimental, it’s more likely that he’s talking about an old leak that has nothing to do with the camera.
Resident Evil 9 Might Be Announced This Year
This time last year, Dusk Golem claimed that Resident Evil 9 would be open world, building on the groundwork laid by Dragon’s Dogma 2. Leakers also claimed that the game will be set on an island, which would be the perfect way to keep the player contained to a larger setting. We’ve seen this approach adopted in all sorts of games, from Grand Theft Auto to Far Cry.
But this is just speculation based on vague and often contradictory leaks. Until Capcom announces the game (outside basic confirmation that it exists), all we can do is grasp at straws and try to piece together these different rumours. Hopefully, we’ll get some concrete answers soon enough, and maybe we won’t have to wait too long.
Dusk Golem also claimed in his tweet that Resident Evil 9 “will almost definitely be revealed this year”. Given that it’s been four years since Village, that lines up perfectly.
