Resident Evil 9 is not going to be a direct sequel to Resident Evil Village

But what does this mean for the content and setting of Resident Evil 9? Leaks suggest a western setting, presumably an abandoned town. This would mark a departure from the European village setting of its predecessors, offering new environments such as caves, a river, a small town, and a camping site.

The narrative implications are equally intriguing. The end of the Winters family saga, particularly Ethan Winters, has had many speculating about where the narrative will take the series, especially after the Shadows of Rose DLC.

If Resident Evil 9 isn't a direct sequel, it's possible that it won't bring back Chris and Rose in a larger capacity - or at the very least, not yet.

While this is disappointing, making Resident Evil 9 out to be a soft reboot, much like RE7, allows Capcom to retain narrative coherence while also injecting fresh elements into the gameplay and story. RE7 reinvigorated the franchise by returning to its survival horror roots after a period of action-centric titles, introducing fans to a seemingly ordinary guy in Ethan Winters. With over 146 million units sold following the success of Village and RE4, Capcom has found a formula that resonates with fans.

The promise of a concluding arc while simultaneously ushering in a new era for the franchise has fans excited for what's coming. Capcom's strategic planning, evident in the simultaneous development of RE8 and RE9, indicates a deliberate effort to create a cohesive narrative experience even if they're not directly connected. This, coupled with the investment in development time and budget, sets Resident Evil 9 up to be a pivotal entry in the series.

Unfortunately, the rumored 2025 release date of Resident Evil 9 all but guarantees that it won't be the first game to use the next-gen RE Engine, unlike its predecessor.

Speaking of Resident Evil, someone tell Capcom that Shinji Mikami and Hideki Kamiya are available. With Resident Evil 5 and 6 primed for remakes ahead of Resident Evil 9, it could use some help. Finally, if you recently upgraded to the latest iPhone, you might want to check out Resident Evil Village.