The resurgence of the survival-horror genre has been remarkable over the past decade. While it has always had a loyal fan base, it took time for it to gain broader mainstream appeal. The year 2023 witnessed an exceptional period for survival-horror games, with acclaimed releases such as the Dead Space remake, Alan Wake 2, and the highly anticipated remake of Resident Evil 4.
As one of the pioneering series in survival-horror, Resident Evil has had a somewhat inconsistent journey in staying true to the genre it helped establish. However, with its return to its roots starting with RE7 in 2017, it has reclaimed its position as a leading influence in the genre. With another installment likely in the works, if it is the next mainline release, RE9 should continue to embrace the strong resurgence of survival-horror elements from both RE7 and its sequel, Village, to maintain its momentum.
The Importance of Upholding the Survival-Horror Tone in Resident Evil 9
Resident Evil's Evolution from Survival-Horror to Action
The original Resident Evil titles epitomized survival-horror, establishing the fundamental aspects of this genre. By creating games that focused less on empowering players and more on solving puzzles and confronting unsettling enemies with limited resources, Resident Evil redefined the interactive gaming experience, firmly establishing survival-horror as a distinct category.
Following the groundbreaking success of Resident Evil 4 in 2005, the series began to shift towards a more action-oriented approach, albeit still retaining survival-horror elements. This departure became more pronounced with subsequent releases, particularly in the action-heavy plots and gameplay of RE5 and RE6, leading to criticism for deviating from the series' core principles.
Continuing the Legacy of RE7 and RE: Village in Resident Evil 9
After the mixed reception of RE5 and RE6, the franchise went through a period of introspection as Capcom sought to regain its essence and the trust of its fan base. The result was Resident Evil 7, a return to a slower-paced, confined design that successfully revitalized the series and garnered praise from both existing fans and newcomers.
Building on the success of RE7, RE: Village further embraced its predecessor's approach, featuring diverse villains in a supernatural folklore setting while maintaining a tense atmosphere reminiscent of Resident Evil's early days. With this successful return to survival-horror, it is imperative for Capcom to continue this trajectory by infusing RE9 with the same atmosphere and philosophy to meet and surpass the genre standards expected in the next installment.