Resident Evil’s franchise has always been so bombastic that any of the latest leaks or rumors churned out for upcoming games could be viable, and in many ways that’s been a boon. In the case of Resident Evil 9, there’s no telling what direction the series may take, especially if it doesn’t actually follow its throughline of Chris Redfield heading to the BSAA headquarters in Europe. There’s still a chance that it might, and yet recent rumors suggest that this or any adventure embarked on in Resident Evil 9 won’t be Chris’ to lead.
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Chris Redfield Has Grown Accustomed to the Back Seat in Resident Evil
Chris Redfield has been a pillar of Resident Evil since its inception and that hasn’t changed. Having Chris return for Resident Evil 7 and Resident Evil Village is concrete proof that the series has relied somewhat on his legacy as a mascot protagonist in the survival-horror franchise when Capcom could’ve easily selected characters such as Leon S. Kennedy, Jill Valentine, or Claire Redfield to return by now.
There’s now a decent likelihood that other beloved mascots will make their return in Resident Evil 9, at least if recent rumors are to be believed, and though these same rumors claim Chris will return, too, it would apparently be in yet another supporting role. Chris’ Not a Hero Resident Evil 7 DLC was a treat for anyone who enjoyed the action-oriented pace of the base game’s third act, but Chris’ role in Resident Evil Village was arguably marred by the story’s decision to deceive Ethan Winters (and consequently the player).
Chris not simply sharing with Ethan that his wife had been abducted and replaced by Mother Miranda was a narrative ploy to keep players in the dark, and thus it made Chris a far more unsympathetic character whose intentions were misguided when it came to how he treated Ethan. Either way, it was his second supporting role in a row and Resident Evil 9 would make that a third if the rumors are true.
He has certainly had more than his fair share of time basking in Resident Evil’s radiant survival-horror sun, but Village’s ending seemed to suggest that Chris would lead an assault on the European BSAA headquarters. If that isn’t happening, or if Chris isn’t taking the lead this time around, it jeopardizes how significant his role needs to be going forward.
Resident Evil 9 Needs to Declare Chris Redfield’s Relevancy in the Franchise
It’d be difficult to argue against someone like Leon Kennedy or Jill Valentine having lead protagonist roles when they and many other legacy mascots have been absent for so long in Resident Evil’s mainline continuity. Remakes of Resident Evil 2, Resident Evil 3, and Resident Evil 4 have thrust Leon and Jill into the forefront of the franchise again, to be fair, and yet it’s unknown what is going on with them in Resident Evil’s original, authentic timeline, at least since they were last seen in Resident Evil 6 and Resident Evil 5, respectively.
Chris Redfield being a lead playable protagonist may not be as in-demand as he’s so prolific anyhow, but giving him a third consecutive supporting role would be a shame since it seems as if the mainline titles have been hyping him up and potentially getting him prepared for a lead playable role once more.
A possible Resident Evil 5 remake would feature Chris in this capacity, but his importance in mainline games shouldn’t be understated. Otherwise, Capcom may need to decide on a fitting way to shelve the character definitively.
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