Resident Evil 9: How an Open-World Twist Could Borrow from Silent Hill 2’s Secrets!

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Summary

  • Capcom is likely working on Resident Evil 9, potentially with an open-world format.
  • RE9, if open-world, would need to carefully balance enemy encounters with the level of available supplies.
  • Silent Hill 2 Remake included resources hidden in plain sight via breakable car windows, a design choice RE9 could also implement.

Apart from a cryptic hint in a recent video marking the 10-million-copy sale of the fourth main remake, Capcom has been largely silent about the “Resident Evil” series. It’s speculated that they are currently developing “Resident Evil 9”, possibly alongside additional remakes, based on unverified reports. However, the company has not disclosed much else regarding future “Resident Evil” projects, with only a confirmation that Koshi Nakanishi will direct “RE7” again for the ninth numbered installment.

Despite facing challenges in the past, the series maintains its popularity, fueled by the acclaim and sales of its remakes and recent releases. In 2024, another intellectual property emerged that was frequently seen as the yin to Resident Evil’s survival horror yang. The Silent Hill 2 Remake was a triumph in numerous ways, offering a fresh angle and enlarged take on the cherished classic while staying faithful to the original’s essence and emotional resonance. The Silent Hill 2 Remake got many things correct, and one seemingly small addition could be exactly what Resident Evil 9 might benefit from if reports about it becoming open-world are true.

Both franchises are also set to receive new film adaptations.

If Resident Evil 9 Goes Open-World, It Can Take Inspiration from Silent Hill 2 Remake’s Approach to Supplies

Silent Hill 2 Remake Hid Extra Resources in Plain Sight

Bloober Team skillfully recreated the haunting mist-shrouded streets and abandoned buildings of Silent Hill 2 Remake’s town, maintaining the atmosphere and layout cherished by many fans. As James Sunderland desperately looks for his wife Mary, he encounters increasingly bizarre and twisted manifestations that he must confront. In keeping with genre tradition, players need to thoughtfully manage their inventory, inspect every hidden corner, and make sure they have enough health and ammunition to survive each section.

In areas of the town where James has freedom to roam, he can shatter numerous abandoned cars’ windows to gain extra supplies; something players might not immediately pick up or realize, as the game doesn’t explicitly point it out. This design choice in the Silent Hill 2 Remake is subtle but effective, offering a valuable aid should players run low on items. It serves as an unspoken resource reserve. If Resident Evil 9 were to incorporate a similar feature, it could prove beneficial as well.

An Open-World Resident Evil Could Make Great Use of Silent Hill 2 Remake’s ‘Hidden’ Items

A well-known source suggests that a significant speculation about Resident Evil 9 is that it will be “more daring,” similar to how RE4 and later RE7 transformed the franchise. Previously, there were already whispers that Capcom might be ready to transition the series into an open-world setting, which would indeed be a bold departure from tradition if true.

If “Resident Evil” ventures into open-world gaming, it will face some significant adjustments to its traditional gameplay. Maintaining tension in a larger environment that offers more freedom for exploration and combat engagement at varying paces necessitates a finesse touch. Balancing enemy encounters and resources in “RE9” is crucial to prevent the game from being either too simple or excessively challenging. Scattering resources throughout the world, hidden yet accessible like in the “Silent Hill 2 Remake,” could offer an effective solution for this challenge.

In an imagined open-world Resident Evil game, instead of just vehicles, objects that serve the same function, such as crates and barrels reminiscent of RE4, could be used effectively. These elements might not initially be obvious, but observant players will eventually find them. The design for RE9 could draw inspiration from the Silent Hill 2 Remake by incorporating such hidden interactive objects, making the game more immersive and mechanically sound.

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2025-05-24 14:34