According to insider rumors, the next major entry in Capcom’s beloved Resident Evil franchise may undergo a dramatic change in gameplay structure. Sources indicate Resident Evil 9 is exploring the possibility of an open world design, which would mark a bold step forward for the 25 year old survival horror series. With the unprecedented success of Resident Evil Village still fresh, it seems the developers are eager to continue pushing boundaries with their next installment.
The leaks come from reliable insider Dusk Golem, who has provided accurate details on past Resident Evil projects. They claim Resident Evil 9 aims to build upon the RE Engine’s open world capabilities, as recently demonstrated in Dragon’s Dogma 2. While that game struggled with some issues at launch, it helped Capcom refine the engine’s potential for expansive nonlinear levels. Golem reassured fans that any open world shift for Resident Evil 9 would still “retain the series’ DNA,” keeping its trademark suspense intact.
What an Open World could Mean for the Series
An open world Resident Evil 9 would represent the franchise’s biggest structural change yet. Fans are accustomed to tight, interconnected locations with limited backtracking. Removing the linear level restrictions could allow for deeper exploration of haunting environments. Additionally, non-scripted encounters with bioweapons may up the fear factor. However, some worry lost hallways and item management could clash with the series’ roots in tense resource management. Only time will tell how Capcom can evolve the formula while honoring longtime fans.
Though still early in development, the leaks excite fans with promises of the series breaking new ground. As the most successful horror games ever made, Resident Evil continues growing its audience with each innovative installment. If executed properly, an open world Resident Evil 9 may be the franchise’s biggest risk yet – but also has blockbuster potential to reach even greater heights. For now, fans can only speculate until Capcom provides official details on their next survival blockbuster.