If Rumors Are True, Resident Evil 9 Needs to Tread Carefully in One Area

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Summary

  • Rumors have suggested that Resident Evil 9 will be an open-world experience, but Capcom has not confirmed this.
  • RE9’s possible open-world direction raises concerns about whether it will include fast travel and how that might impact some of the series’ existing elements.
  • Options for implementing fast travel in RE9 include requiring spending in-game resources to access it or being linked to difficulty settings.

2024 was rather uneventful for Resident Evil, as far as official updates from developer Capcom are concerned. Last year, fans of the franchise were left wanting more when it came to news about upcoming plans for the series. Although it had been expected that the ninth numbered entry would follow the 2023 release of RE4 Remake, rumors and leaks have since circulated about other potential projects in the Resident Evil universe. Alongside RE9, remakes of RE5, RE0, and Code Veronica are all rumored to be in development according to some sources, although Capcom has yet to confirm any of these reports.

Despite ongoing speculation about the upcoming primary title, a significant buzz has been generated by a major whisper that Resident Evil 9 could be an open-world game. As fans anxiously await the new installment’s potential features, if this speculation holds true, Capcom would need to handle one crucial aspect of open-world design with care: quick transportation or fast travel.

Other rumors point to Leon Kennedy and Jill Valentine returning as protagonists in RE9.

Resident Evil 9’s Open-World Rumors Raise the Question of Fast travel

Resident Evil 9 Potentially Being Open-World Creates Both Challenges and Opportunities for Fast Travel

If it’s true that Resident Evil 9 is moving towards an open-world setting, this change raises some thoughtful points. This idea has sparked debate among fans since the developer hasn’t officially confirmed or denied it yet. A feature like fast travel, common in open-world games, could be a part of RE, but because this would be its first foray into such territory, it presents unique challenges to maintain balance.

A significant part of the suspense and dread in RE comes from its confined, claustrophobic settings. An expansive or even semi-open world might diminish this, especially if players can move swiftly and effortlessly across it. To preserve Resident Evil‘s atmosphere and the continuous sense of unease as players explore various areas, such changes should be carefully managed.

Including fast travel in Resident Evil 9 could potentially alter key aspects of the game, such as backtracking and puzzle-solving, which are fundamental parts of the Resident Evil experience. Obtaining essential items and solving puzzles that propel the plot forward or open shortcuts might lose some significance if rapid transportation were an option. However, Capcom can draw on lessons from past games to implement fast travel in RE9 without compromising other gameplay elements by creatively adapting these features to accommodate this new mechanic.

How Resident Evil 9 Could Integrate Fast Travel

In essence, Resident Evil 4 and Village boast some of the largest interconnected areas within the series, but they don’t strictly fit the definition of open-world games due to their size. If the map of RE9 is substantial, it may not require a fast travel system. The fact that Capcom has been using its RE Engine for other properties, particularly those leaning towards open-world, could hint at the validity of previous rumors and shape the future direction of the Resident Evil series.

Capcom might balance things by making fast travel available only after spending certain limited resources or valuable items. This ties in with Resident Evil’s traditional resource management system and provides players with a significant choice between preserving resources and enjoying convenience. Additionally, if there are dual protagonists in the game, it could echo its past and develop into an extended system reminiscent of the original RE2, where one character can open new paths or unlock travel points that the other can later utilize.

An alternative approach could be to make fast travel available later in the game instead of at the beginning, preserving the traditional, more confined experience throughout most of the story. Fast travel might also be linked to difficulty levels, where higher difficulties disable it or provide incentives for not using it, even if accessible across all levels. If Resident Evil 9 wants to uphold the series’ classic atmosphere and maintain fear while featuring an open-world with fast travel, Capcom has several clever ways to manage this integration, provided they implement these ideas thoughtfully.

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2025-02-28 01:34