Over the years, the Resident Evil series has maintained a steady pace of releasing mainline sequels and remakes, each offering a unique gameplay experience. While some fans may have had reservations about the first-person perspective in games like Resident Evil 7 and Resident Evil Village, the series has always managed to keep things fresh. Recent rumors suggest that this diversity will reach new heights soon.
According to leaks, Capcom's upcoming Dragon's Dogma 2 has expanded the capabilities of the RE Engine for open-world games, with Resident Evil 9 poised to take advantage of this technology. If these speculations hold true, the next installment in the series could adopt an open-world approach. Surprisingly, the groundwork for this shift was laid by Resident Evil Village in 2021.
How Resident Evil Village Set the Stage for a Potentially Open-World Resident Evil 9
Resident Evil Village: A Step Towards Open-World Exploration
While previous Resident Evil titles flirted with non-linear level design, none embraced it quite like Resident Evil Village. Unlike games such as Resident Evil 2 Remake and Resident Evil 3 Remake, which featured central hubs with interconnected pathways, Resident Evil Village took it a step further by linking its main hub to multiple expansive areas.
The heart of Resident Evil Village is its namesake village, teeming with intriguing locations like graveyards, alleys, and hamlets ripe for exploration. Radiating from this central hub are four distinct paths leading to Lady Dimitrescu's castle, House Beneviento, Moreau's Reservoir, and Heisenberg's Factory.
While players initially follow a linear progression through these areas, towards the game's conclusion, they gain the freedom to backtrack, effectively transforming Resident Evil Village into a pseudo open-world experience. During this phase, players can revisit previous spots, hunt for collectibles, complete optional quests, and amass resources before confronting the final challenges. While not a full-fledged open-world title, Resident Evil Village represents the series' closest brush with the concept.
Lessons for Resident Evil 9 from Resident Evil Village's World Design
Should Resident Evil 9 venture into open-world territory, it can draw valuable insights from Resident Evil Village's level design. The seamless integration of various locations in the latter game, like Castle Dimitrescu and House Beneviento, created a cohesive world that felt interconnected and realistic—a design philosophy that Resident Evil 9 could benefit from, even if not fully open-world.
Another crucial takeaway from Resident Evil Village is the emphasis on exploration. While exploration is a staple of the series, Resident Evil Village's open structure incentivized players to thoroughly explore every nook and cranny by consistently rewarding their efforts with valuable items. If Resident Evil 9 follows suit and embraces an open-world format, maintaining this balance between exploration and rewards will be key to engaging players.