It's a certainty that Resident Evil 9 is in the works. While it may not adopt a numbered title, similar to Resident Evil Biohazard and Resident Evil Village, a new mainline installment is undoubtedly on the horizon. With the ongoing development of Resident Evil 4's remake, including Ada DLC, a full The Mercenaries mode, and an extensive VR conversion throughout 2023, the series has had the opportunity to strategize its next steps. The potential for Resident Evil 9 to explore various directions positions it to be a significant success when it eventually materializes.
Resident Evil Biohazard and Village concluded a two-part narrative centered on Ethan and Mia Winters, with the Shadows of Rose DLC seemingly wrapping up the family's storyline conclusively. The speculation surrounding the series' next move has sparked discussions about the potential return of Chris Redfield and even Albert Wesker as the primary characters in the next Resident Evil installment. The prospect of Chris resuming the role of the protagonist in Resident Evil 9 has garnered widespread anticipation and could also present an opportunity to revisit an overlooked concept from Resident Evil Village.
The Untapped Potential of “Werewolf Chris” in Resident Evil Village
A prominent piece of key art for Resident Evil Village gained attention in the game's marketing, even featuring as box art in some instances, but it carried a different significance than initially perceived. It depicted Chris Redfield's visage merged with the shadowy image of a wolf, aligning with the game's trailers that portrayed Chris as an antagonist. While players quickly realized this was a misdirection within the game, with Chris ultimately emerging as Ethan's unwavering ally, the art also instilled certain expectations.
Exploring the Role of Werewolves in Resident Evil Village
In contrast to most Resident Evil titles, Resident Evil Village presented its monsters in a more supernatural light, featuring Mold-infested mutants showcasing greater diversity than previous viruses and parasites. The primary antagonists were themed after classic movie monsters, yet the absence of a werewolf from the lineup was conspicuous. Werewolves in Resident Evil Village were confined to common foes and occasional mini-bosses, often appearing as bestial villagers akin to Resident Evil 4's Ganado. The implications of werewolves holding special significance or the potential transformation of Chris Redfield were seemingly incidental, but not devoid of merit.
Leveraging the “Werewolf Chris” Concept in Resident Evil 9
While Resident Evil Village didn't explore the notion of Chris Redfield as a werewolf, either literally or metaphorically, Resident Evil 9 could seize this opportunity. Prior to the release of RE Village, speculations arose about the potential infection of Chris or even the temporary transformation of Ethan Winters due to the existence of a Mold cure. It would be ironically fitting if both concepts manifested in Chris Redfield's storyline in Resident Evil 9, with his professional endeavors culminating in him succumbing to the biohazards he typically combats.
Integrating the Werewolf Form into Resident Evil 9's Gameplay
A conventional werewolf transformation would likely exude heroism compared to the grotesque mutations characteristic of many Resident Evil adversaries, but it could manifest in diverse ways. Given the saturation of animal and fantasy-inspired creatures resulting from the Mold in recent installments, Resident Evil 9 could embrace any genre theme for an infected super mode. This might steer RE9 towards a more action-oriented approach, potentially restricted to specific gameplay segments to maintain suspense. It could also adopt a limited power-up akin to Krauser and Wesker's melee-centric Mayhem Modes in the RE4 remake's The Mercenaries. Ultimately, witnessing Chris Redfield as a werewolf would inject an element of enjoyment and propel Resident Evil 9 towards the franchise's customary campiness.