Rumors are swirling that Resident Evil 9, the highly anticipated next installment in the iconic survival horror franchise, will break tradition and venture into open-world territory. A well-known Capcom leaker, Dusk Golem, has fueled this speculation by suggesting the shift is due to technological advancements within Capcom’s proprietary RE Engine.
The RE Engine Evolution: Paving the Way for Open Worlds
Capcom’s in-house RE Engine has powered some of their most successful recent titles, including Devil May Cry 5, Resident Evil Village, and the Resident Evil 2 Remake. Dusk Golem asserts that Capcom often greenlights projects in close succession to maximize the engine’s capabilities. Now, with RE Engine’s open-world functionality proven by Dragon’s Dogma 2, Capcom appears poised to explore this design approach with further projects like Monster Hunter Wilds and Resident Evil 9.
Dragon’s Dogma 2 stands as a testament to the RE Engine’s ability to render expansive, seamless AAA open worlds. The implication is that both Monster Hunter Wilds and Resident Evil 9 will aim to build upon that foundation. The precise scope and ambition of Resident Evil 9’s open-world implementation remains to be seen, particularly given that past entries, like Resident Evil Village, hinted at similar aspirations but ultimately delivered more linear, interconnected experiences.
Preserving the Resident Evil Essence
Regardless of potential structural shifts, Dusk Golem insists that Resident Evil 9 will strive to uphold the franchise’s signature DNA. Fans can expect the chilling atmosphere, tense exploration, and iconic bioweapon-fueled threats that have defined the series, even within a potentially more open format.
Capcom’s Resident Evil Pipeline
Beyond the mainline sequel, Capcom is reportedly juggling at least four other Resident Evil projects in various stages of development. Speculation points to a Resident Evil 5 remake as one possibility, while the others could encompass a range of spin-off concepts. Fans shouldn’t expect any of these rumored titles to arrive before 2025, considering Capcom’s typical pattern of announcing games approximately a year before launch.
The Future of Resident Evil: A Bold New Era
Whether Resident Evil 9 delivers a sprawling, fully-fledged open world or a more refined variation on Village’s interconnected structure, the shift signals a bold new direction for the beloved franchise. The RE Engine’s open-world prowess, combined with Capcom’s apparent desire to innovate, promises an exciting evolution of the survival horror experience that has captivated players for decades.
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