Resident Evil 9 Should Strive for a Difficult Balance Village Managed to Strike

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Resident Evil 9 Should Strive for a Difficult Balance Village Managed to Strike

As a long-time fan of the Resident Evil franchise, I can confidently say that the balancing act between compelling protagonists and captivating villains is what truly sets this series apart. After the gripping storytelling in Resident Evil 7 and its follow-up, Village, it’s clear that Capcom has found a winning formula.

For nearly three decades, the Resident Evil series has spun tales centered around mind-bending viruses and malevolent megacorporations. The ability to do this effectively is largely due to the diverse cast of characters populating the franchise’s universe. Over time, Resident Evil has garnered a reputation for its compelling protagonists and antagonists, which places immense pressure on its ninth mainline game.

Following a dip in narrative quality, the Resident Evil series experienced a refreshing revival with games like Resident Evil 7 and Village. While the former delivered on the scares, the latter brought the Resident Evil franchise to a satisfying conclusion, as new character Ethan Winters helped expose the origins of Umbrella. As of now, it remains unclear who will drive the plot of Resident Evil 9. Nevertheless, the upcoming Resident Evil game may gain from looking towards Village for guidance, particularly in terms of maintaining an intriguing balance between its protagonist and antagonists.

Resident Evil 9 Needs to Nail the Same Balance Village Did So Well

Making Both Protagonists and Villains Equally Compelling

Instead of Village featuring Ethan Winters from Resident Evil 7, it introduces him and his wife Mia in a new setting – a mysterious Eastern European nation – following an arrangement akin to a witness protection program. However, things don’t go smoothly for the couple, leading Ethan to confront a distinct set of antagonists known as the Four Houses who control the town.

Towards the climax of the game’s narrative, a major surprise unfolds – Ethan was already deceased following the Baker house incident, kept in a sort of existence by being contaminated with the Mold. This stunning disclosure, contrasted with the distinctive and skillfully crafted antagonists found in Village, contributes to the game boasting one of the strongest storylines in the series so far.

Ethan Taking On Mother Miranda and the Four Houses

  • Mother Miranda: After discovering and becoming infected by the Mold, a cult was built around her power, making her the story’s main antagonist.
  • Alcina Dimitrescu: A tall, aristocratic woman with a mutation that gives her a craving for blood.
  • Karl Heisenberg: A brilliant engineer with electric organs that give him magnetic powers.
  • Salvatore Moreau: A withdrawn hunchback who has fish-like mutations
  • Donna Beneviento: A shy woman with the power to control dolls and megamycete-infected plants, as well as induce hallucinations.

In the course of its long history, the Resident Evil series has introduced numerous primary and supporting villains. However, the latest installment, Village, particularly made an effort to ensure each antagonist was as captivating and crucial to the plot as the protagonist, Ethan. As we eagerly await news about Resident Evil 9, what fans are most excited about are its characters, both heroes and villains. Despite Ethan’s complex narrative arc that could have easily overshadowed the story’s villains, each antagonist in Village was so richly developed that they became equally intriguing aspects of the storyline.

Following Albert Wesker’s rule over the “Resident Evil” series, there seems to be a requirement for more formidable adversaries moving forward. While the antagonists in “Village” were well-crafted characters, they all met their demise, which puts the developers in a tough position as they strive to replicate this success again.

Resident Evil 9 Has Big Shoes to Fill

In a refreshing change for the Resident Evil series, games like Resident Evil 7 and Village provided a significant overhaul, revitalizing the franchise. A key factor in this success was the strengthening of the villains’ stories, which became just as compelling as those of the main characters. While Albert Wesker has always been an imposing antagonist, the diverse cast of villains presented in Resident Evil Village offered players engaging new characters to care about.

Mother Miranda’s work and research inspired the genesis of Umbrella.

Currently, it’s unclear whether the main character in Resident Evil 9 will be a new character or a familiar one. Regardless, the protagonist should be accompanied by an equally captivating antagonist that contributes significantly to the story without outshining the hero. Remarkably, Village manages to achieve this balance superbly.

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2024-10-24 23:04