Resident Evil 9 Should Embrace What Made RE7 a Winning Horse

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Resident Evil 9 Should Embrace What Made RE7 a Winning Horse

Highlights

  • Capcom innovated a lot in Resident Evil 7 and found success as a result.
  • Resident Evil 9 should similarly bill itself on the premise of innovation and creative new designs.
  • Rumored features like an open world could be great avenues for RE9 to experiment with its gameplay.

As a seasoned survival horror enthusiast who has been through the ups and downs of the Resident Evil series, I can’t help but feel a sense of anticipation for Resident Evil 9. Having lived through the dark ages of RE5 and RE6, I can testify that Capcom’s bold move with Resident Evil 7 was nothing short of a breath of fresh air. The first-person perspective, the atmospheric storytelling, and the departure from the action-heavy gameplay were a much-needed change of pace.

The long-awaited Resident Evil 9 is approaching, but reaching this stage involved some significant effort from Capcom. Before 2017, the Resident Evil series was struggling. The releases of Resident Evil 5 and Resident Evil 6 had missed the mark following the success of RE4, moving the series far from its survival horror foundation and evolving into a game that emphasized combat and humor. These unfavorable reactions led to a nearly five-year hiatus for the series. This period forced Capcom to reconsider their approach, leading them to adopt a more innovative strategy with their subsequent title.

The release of Resident Evil 7 breathed new life into the series. It marked a significant shift from not just the last two games, but the entire franchise. Praise poured in from both critics and gamers, paving the way for the 2021 release of Resident Evil Village, a direct follow-up to RE7. This game also received high marks. Initially confirmed by IGN, Resident Evil 9 is in development, and Capcom would do well to continue the strategy that made RE7 successful: embracing creativity.

Reinventing Resident Evil

The unique appeal of Resident Evil 7 lay in its significant departure from past titles. Unlike the action-focused games like RE5 and RE6, RE7 returned to a story-driven atmosphere. More significantly, it was the first game in the series to adopt a first-person perspective. This change resonated with fans who felt the series had strayed too far from its roots, as well as newcomers seeking an engaging horror gaming experience.

In a sense, the game titled “Resident Evil Village” built on the foundation laid by its predecessor “RE7“. While it introduced fresh locations, new adversaries, and emphasized more on combats, it essentially followed a similar playstyle as the earlier game. However, it concluded the narrative of the Winter Family that started in “RE7“. With this tale now concluded, the next instalment in the “Resident Evil” series won’t have to adhere strictly to the storyline or aesthetics of the two previous games. This doesn’t necessarily imply that Capcom will drastically change its approach for the next game, but given the success of their leap with “RE7“, not doing so could be a missed opportunity.

Resident Evil’s Open-World Rumors

There are numerous paths Capcom might take in revitalizing the series. It’s been whispered that Resident Evil 9 could be an open-world game, a departure from the series norm. While earlier games provided some degree of exploration within their maps, they’ve never ventured into fully open landscapes; instead, these areas were typically connected hub zones with intermittent passageways.

Exploring an open world could significantly enhance “Resident Evil 9” if executed skillfully. Unlike previous Resident Evil games, the playtime for which hasn’t been particularly extended; each of the last two games could be completed in approximately 10 hours. However, an open world setting would potentially extend gameplay dramatically since players wouldn’t just be traversing a larger map but also engaging with various side activities along the way.

Resident Evil’s Movement Could Use a Refresh

Regarding the upcoming Resident Evil game, it’s crucial to reconsider its movement mechanics, as one consistent aspect among the series protagonists is their sluggish pace. Even when characters are sprinting, it feels more like a leisurely jog. While this design choice helps create tension by making players fearful of any pursuing creatures, the slow and cumbersome movement system can make the games challenging to navigate, particularly during replay sessions. Dying Light’s movement system offers an excellent example of how to strike a balance between speed and scare factor – by increasing movement speed, introducing a dodge action, or even incorporating vehicles into the game could all help address this issue.

In a refreshing twist, Resident Evil 9 could potentially reconsider its elements such as viewpoint, weaponry, and adversary types. It would be intriguing to see bosses that don’t solely rely on eyeball weak spots for defeat. Whichever direction Capcom chooses, it’s crucial to prioritize reinventing the series extensively – given that Resident Evil 9 seems poised to feature a character we recognize as the protagonist.

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2024-08-13 23:33