The Resident Evil Franchise is not new to rumors flying around every time a new game is in the pipeline. The same is the case with the next entry in the series. Resident Evil 9 has found itself in the middle of a rumor mill working overtime, with a new round of leaks going around the internet regarding the game’s setting being switched to an open-world design. Let’s take a deeper look into the rumors and analyze how an open world for Resident Evil 9 can be a turning point for the series again.
Resident Evil 9 Open-World?
This year lacked a new Resident Evil launch, with Capcom releasing a new RE title or a remake of its long list of blockbuster titles. There is no official news of Resident Evil 9 apart from the fact that the game is under wraps and in development at Capcom. Just a few days ago, rumors circulated about the setting of the game and the returning protagonists, Leon Kennedy and the series heartthrob Jill Valentine.
The latest rumors have sparked fans’ interest in the idea of the next game being an Open-world title. The recent leaks state that the game will be using the RE Engine expanded for Open-world capabilities. This leak is interesting in itself, as the series has a long history of experimenting with different mechanics and features to cater to a far wider audience and explore the horror genre further.
What an Open World means for Resident Evil
If we look back, the Resident Evil Series has innovated over time to change up different mechanics and sometimes groundbreaking changes like the introduction of a first-person camera angle in Resident Evil 7 and earlier, the switch from fixed camera angles to a third-person perspective. The linear mission structure of the original Resident Evil titles expanded over time, with Resident Evil 4 being a groundbreaking evolution of the series with open-ended environments and the switch to a TPP till RE7.
Resident Evil games have always explored semi-open-ended environments, such as the village section in RE4 and the Bakers mansion in RE6, and the latest Resident Evil Village has an open, explorable castle and village sections. Including a proper open-world feature could make Resident Evil 9 feel similar to the latest Silent Hill 2 Remake or The Evil Within 2. However, it’s uncertain how an open world would work in a Resident Evil game. Unlike Silent Hill and The Evil Within, which rely on environmental unease and eerie atmospheres to create chills, Resident Evil tends to scare players through sudden, intense jump scares.
What Resident Evil 9 Needs to Succeed as an Open-World Game:
A Good Map: For any Open-world game to succeed, the most important factor is the diversity and quality of its map. With RE9 being a horror game, the open-world map will have to match the quality of previous maps in the series, like the village section of RE4, or take inspiration from other titles. The map will have to feel alive and create a fear of exploration, as that feature will make RE 9 stick out as a horror Open-World title.
Attrition: Many horror titles overlook the Attrition factor, with supplies dwindling and the world decaying over time. Making the atmosphere feel as if it’s dying from a small death and the player scavenging and maintaining their resources for survival will make the open world of RE9 feel more scary and challenging.
NPC interactions: An Open-world setting opens up a whole plethora of options for the franchise for example the inclusion of NPC encounters throughout the map which can add to the immersion and add layers of storytelling to the game. Side quests can be easily added into the mix with smaller tasks rewarding the player with crucial resources and supplies.
Read all about the setting and story of Resident Evil 9 here.
Summary
We would suggest taking all Resident Evil 9 leaks and rumors with a grain of salt, as Capcom has yet to confirm any details officially. Resident Evil 9, being an Open World Game, creates a lot of new possibilities for the future of the franchise, and Capcom isn’t the one to shy away from experimenting and innovating their games. It is still yet to be seen what the next Resident Evil will look like, with the possibility of the game being revealed in December at the Game Awards. Stay Tuned to our blog site for more updates on Resident Evil 9, along with the hottest titles in gaming.
Let us know what you think about this new leak in the comments below, and feel free to share any suggestions or ideas you have!
