A Hidden Gem From 2022 Could Be a Good Source of Inspiration For Resident Evil 9

Resident Evil is currently back to being a major front-runner for horror games. Following a bit of a rocky road in the early to mid 2000s, developer Capcom made a course correction for Resident Evil with 2017’s RE7. From then onward, the series has steadily re-established itself as an industry leader. Many fans are probably familiar with the original Resident Evil creator and director, Shinji Mikami. Mikami was a driving force for RE until 2010, when he left Capcom and formed Tango Gameworks. The next title under his vision with the new studio was the psychological horror/thriller, The Evil Within, in 2014. Naturally, it was compared to RE in many ways, both good and bad.

After The Evil Within 2 in 2017, Mikami’s next title with Tango, 2022’s Ghostwire: Tokyo, was released without as much fanfare. But, like its most recent game, Hi-Fi Rush, GW:T became something of a sleeper hit following its release. Ghostwire was regarded as having some creative ideas and clever spins on the horror genre and gameplay that generally hit more often than missed. In this regard, Resident Evil has a number of connections to GW:T and reasons to take a few cues from it to spice things up in the next RE entry.

Resident Evil 9 Should Look to Ghostwire: Tokyo for Inspiration

Ghostwire: Tokyo’s Use of Japanese Supernatural Folklore

Ghostwire: Tokyo‘s design draws from Japan’s history of supernatural stories and entities. These spirit “Visitors” — ghosts, demons, and more otherworldly terrors — haunt the eerily empty streets of its world and attack the living on sight. Some of these figures are likely recognizable to Western audiences, with others being slightly more obscure, but all channeling a coherently recognizably scary vibe. Paranormal partner protagonists, Akito and KK, must work together in this surreal situation, making use of Dr. Strange-like hand sigils and gestures that invoke a range of elemental/supernatural powers to banish the terrors. Ghostwire’s embrace of Japanese folklore, superstition, and somber fairy tales made it stand out against similar games, giving it a fresher feel and unique tone.

How Resident Evil 9 Could Pull from Ghostwire: Tokyo’s Elements

With Capcom now in a favorable position following RE Village and the RE4 remake, the next Resident Evil is hotly anticipated, and many fans are currently speculating about where it will go next and how it will continue its streak. The recent RE games, especially Village, lie on the dark fable/supernatural scale of horror aesthetics, much closer to Ghostwire than RE’s typical sci-fi body horror fare. Given that the relationship between them is, at least in some ways, noticeably similar, it might make sense for Capcom to look to one of its previous visionaries for inspiration for the next title in the series he played a big part in building.

One consideration is if Resident Evil 9 is in first person again, it could have more melee options, and perhaps expand to a limited but similar sign combat system to Ghostwire: Tokyo, which would add a bit of flair to combat mechanics and change the standard formula. RE could also dip deeper into the well of Japanese-influenced horror and lore the way Ghostwire did, incorporating enemies and story beats that are more directly in tune with its flavor. It would be a good way for Capcom to honor both its history and Mikami, while pushing RE into new territory again.

Resident Evil 4 Remake

Released

March 24, 2023

Genre(s)

Survival Horror

ESRB

M for Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language

How Long To Beat

16 Hours

Metascore

93

PS Plus Availability

N/A