Fans are eagerly waiting for the next chapter in the Resident Evil Franchise. While Capcom has kept Resident Evil 9, also called Apocalypse, under wraps with little to no official information. There is much speculation and a helluva lot of leaks in the community. Today, we will look at everything we know about the next chapter in Capcom’s Horror Legacy, the highly anticipated Resident Evil 9: Requiem. Read further for RE9 protagonists, story, setting, and gameplay innovations.
When Will Resident Evil 9 Come Out?
So far, Capcom has not confirmed a release date for Resident Evil 9. Speculation and rumors suggest the game is still under development and will be released in late 2025 or early 2026. The last RE Game from Capcom was the Resident Evil 4 Remake in 2023 and the mainline entry Resident Evil Village in 2021. It’s been over four years since the release of a mainline title that is not a remake, remaster, or previously released game.
Resident Evil 9 Characters, Setting & Story
As leaks suggest, players will finally be able to step back into the shoes of Jean Claude of zombie games i.e. Leon Kennedy. Along with the cameo of Jill Valentine in some capacity. Resident Evil 9 will also feature returning characters like Chris Redfield and Barry Burton (What if Albert Wesker is also in it?). The latest rumors for the game stated, that Valentine’s role was much smaller than originally speculated. But it is unofficially confirmed Leon will 100 Percent be the main character in the game.
Map
This time around players will travel to a South Asian island with brand-new and even more creepy environments. The island setting is rumored to be set in lush jungles and home to different industrial and grounded structures. This includes a rundown factory, hospital, caves, old temples, a laboratory, small cabins, water sections, and more.
Resident Evil 9 is set to be a reinvention of the series and will play very differently from any previous games. This includes the possibility of a completely open world for the game. Players may be able to traverse the entire map at their leisure and take on main quests along with side challenges and hidden secrets. Or the Game can also boost some sort of semi-open world with more freedom in choice.
Gameplay
The gameplay will most likely be very different in feel from any other Resident Evil title. With Capcom experimenting with perspective styles, FPP, TPP, or even a Hybrid. We can expect the game to be in first person as the next entry is aiming for a groundbreaking VR Experience with much immersion.
RE Games are no stranger to gameplay changes throughout their existence. with the initials games having fixed angles. Capcom revolutionized the genre with RE4 and its Third Person over the shoulder aim style and then to the reinvention and change of pace with Biohazard’s First Person Aim.
Story
The game will move away from the Winter’s Family Saga, which has now been concluded in the Shadow of Rose DLC for RE Village. RE 9 will follow the tale of Leon Kennedy on a remote island similar to his quest in the fourth resident evil game. The island will be shrouded in another Umbrella Mishap or might even shift completely away from the organization with a brand new faction. Just like Mr X & Nemesis, Leon will face off against a relentless pursuit from someone called Mr Simon. The island will also feature some sort of curse causing the mutations and other mishaps.
Reinvention of the Series
The next entry in the series is going to be the most innovative series in the entire franchise. This has been done by Capcom before also with the new gameplay style of RE4 and Resident Evil Biohazard. Capcom has previously switched up the formula of their games with new innovations and mechanics and Resident Evil 9 Gameplay is set to be the most ambitious in the franchise’s history.
The developers are experimenting with new gameplay perspectives, including first-person, third-person, and even entirely fresh perspectives. They’re also revamping exploration in the next installment with an open-world approach. Capcom is aiming for a 90/100 Metacritic score, hoping to cement the legacy of its horror titles in gaming history.
Features We Can Expect from Resident Evil 9
- First-person perspective or a combined hybrid Third-person system for a more dynamic experience.
- Will Feature Full VR Support and Immersion.
- Set on a mysterious remote island with an open-world or semi-open-world approach to exploration.
- Leon Kennedy returns as the main protagonist, with Jill Valentine playing a smaller role.
- Touted as the biggest reinvention of the Resident Evil Franchise to date
- Targeting an early 2026 release window.
- Launching exclusively on current-gen platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
- Features a brand-new story arc, moving away from the Winters family saga.
- Significant leap in Visual Fidelity and Gameplay Mechanics for the series.
Is Resident Evil 9 the last game?
Many fans think this might be the final stretch for the series with IX being the last game in the series. Looking at the success of previous releases and remakes, this is only the start of a new era for Resident Evil Games. So NO! Resident Evil 9 will not be the last game in the series.
Summary
While fans speculate and other rumors & leaks come to light, the reveal for Resident Evil 9 will come after Summer 2025. Capcom is keeping tight wraps in the next entry and will most likely set a release for Resident Evil 9 in Early 2026. With its remote island setting, new innovation, and the series’s most beloved Hero, Leon at the Helm. RE9 is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated games of 2025 and 2026. Resident Evil 9 will be available for the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
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