Resident Evil 9 : Fan Theory and Expectations
Resident Evil is a legendary franchise that needs no introduction. Starting in March of 1996, it laid the foundation for the survival horror genre, shaping the way we experience thrills and chills in gaming today. Now, fans eagerly await the announcement and showcase of the 9th installment in the main storyline, which could drop any day now. As the days pass without any news from its creators, Capcom, fans have taken matters into their own hands, speculating about what they hope to see in the next installment. These theories have shaped and shifted expectations, influencing what many fans now anticipate from the upcoming release. The question remains: Have fans crafted the perfect follow-up to Resident Evil Village, or have they set their expectations so high that the next game might never be able to live up to the hype?
Resident Evil, one of the few franchises that rarely takes long breaks between releases, has been incredibly generous with content since the 2017 release of Resident Evil 7: Biohazard. While many other series have seen only 2 to 3 releases, and some are still stuck in development with nothing more than a trailer... looking at you, Elder Scrolls... Capcom has kept its fanbase well-fed. In addition to 7 mainline games, they’ve released a movie tie-in and a non-canon Netflix series starring the late, great Lance Reddick.
It has been nearly 4 years since Resident Evil Village was released, continuing the story of Chris Redfield and wrapping up the Winters family saga. However, it left fans with even more questions than answers. From undead soldiers working for the BSAA to Rose now working directly with the legendary Chris "Boulder Punchin" Redfield, there's plenty to chew on. Not to mention Ethan's mysterious appearance at the end, despite his self-sacrifice to eliminate the MOLD at its source. With so many loose ends, it’s no wonder fans are eagerly anticipating what is rumored to be called Resident Evil: Apocalypse.
In 2022, rumors about Resident Evil 9 quickly gained traction, with fans speculating that Chris Redfield would face Wendigo or Skinwalker-inspired enemies in a North American setting, following the supernatural themes of Village. The speculation grew when leaks suggested that the game could feature not just Chris, but also Claire, Jill, and Leon in a shared storyline. This excited fans who hoped for a return to an interconnected narrative with these iconic characters, especially after the divisive Resident Evil 6. While these rumors fueled high expectations, they also raised questions about whether Capcom would focus on a single character or bring the franchise's core heroes together in one story. Fans were eager to see what direction Resident Evil 9 would take.
The rumors intensified as the plot seemed to align with the rumored title, Resident Evil Apocalypse. Fans speculated that the game would feature a catastrophic global outbreak, possibly tying into the supernatural themes hinted at earlier. With Chris leading the charge against Wendigo or Skinwalker-inspired enemies, and the return of characters like Claire, Jill, and Leon, the idea of a large-scale, interconnected narrative took shape. The name Apocalypse seemed to hint at a world-ending crisis, adding even more excitement to fan expectations, as they envisioned a game where multiple heroes unite to confront a new, terrifying threat.
Since then, the rumors have divided fans, with some embracing the possibilities, while others remain skeptical. The RE Engine, made famous by Resident Evil 7 (Biohazard), has since been expanded to other franchises, including the open-world Dragon's Dogma 2 (2024). This announcement sparked dreams of Resident Evil 9 adopting an open-world format, allowing players to experience the apocalypse from the perspective of multiple heroes. With the title "Apocalypse" seeming increasingly likely, the idea of an open-world Resident Evil game felt not just possible, but probable. Fans were torn, with some excited by the prospect of a larger, more immersive world, while others feared it might stray too far from the series' survival horror roots.
As we enter 2025, it’s all but confirmed that Resident Evil 9 will feature Leon Scott Kennedy and Jill Valentine as playable characters to some extent. However, the rumor mill continues to churn, and fans remain fixated on the possibilities. Chris Redfield, still the poster child of fan art, remains central to many speculations, despite the confirmed roles of Leon and Jill. Adding fuel to the fire, an IMDB page has surfaced, suggesting a rather impressive cast if true. This only heightens anticipation, with fans now wondering which other characters may appear and how the story will unfold. The hype is growing, but so are the questions, as expectations continue to rise for what could be a massive, star-studded entry in the series.
Some character appearances in Resident Evil 9 seem almost certain. Claire Redfield is expected to return alongside Chris, and Ada Wong will likely be paired with Leon, as fans would expect no Resident Evil game featuring these two without their iconic counterparts. Sheva Alomar’s inclusion also seems likely, especially given the BSAA cliffhanger from Village. Her return would not only make sense within the story but could also serve as a refreshing nod to long-time fans.
However, the biggest fan wish seems to be the return of Barry Burton. While his involvement is possible, it remains unlikely, and yet, fans continue to rally for his inclusion in the story. It would be a significant throwback for those who grew up with the earlier games, but whether Capcom will answer this demand remains to be seen. However IMDB seems to still think so.
Then it gets weird. Piers Nivans, another BSAA agent linked to Chris Redfield, much like Sheva, enters the conversation. Unlike Shiva, Piers met his untimely end during the events of Resident Evil 6, making his death a significant part of his character arc. Yet somehow, fans believe he will make a return in Resident Evil 9. While his death seemed final, the idea of his comeback persists in fan theories, sparking debates about how this might happen. Whether through a twist or a flashback, Piers' potential return is seen as a long shot, but it hasn't stopped fans from rallying behind the idea.
Alex Wesker and Mia Winters have also been mentioned in the ongoing rumors, despite one being canonically dead, and the other becoming a non-combatant after her debut in Biohazard (RE7) within the main Resident Evil storyline. Their potential return seems highly unlikely, especially with no mention of Albert Wesker, Rose, or Ethan Winters, whose stories seem to have concluded. While these rumors are intriguing, they seem more improbable than plausible.
However, the last name worth noting is Takeru Tominaga, the main protagonist of a Resident Evil tie-in manga called Heavenly Island, published in Weekly Shonen. Claire Redfield does make an appearance in this manga, but its connection to the main series is tenuous at best. The closest this manga has come to being canon was in the HD remaster of Resident Evil 0, where a costume for Rebecca Chambers featured art from the manga. While Tominaga's inclusion would be a wild card, it would be a strange yet unique addition to the rumors swirling around Resident Evil 9.
There is also a mysterious figure, Mr. Simon, mentioned on the page, who is tied to a rumor posted by Andy from Biohazard Declassified, as far as I can confirm. These rumors, which were leaked from a playtest last April, suggest that Mr. Simon will be the main antagonist of Resident Evil 9. According to these leaks, the game will feature a unique blend of combat styles: the Ganados from Resident Evil 4 mixed with the Mold from the Winters Saga. Leon is rumored to become infected with this Mold, creating a terrifying new twist for his character. Meanwhile, Jill will be pursued by a terrifying creature known as the GoatMan, adding another layer of horror to the game. While these rumors sound intriguing, they remain unconfirmed and seem to straddle the line between possibility and fantasy.
To be fair, a lot of these rumors seem pretty outlandish when broken down, but then again, Resident Evil Village introduced werewolves and vampires and ended up becoming one of the top-rated games, frequently appearing in "best of" lists. Capcom has a strong track record when it comes to monster design and combat, rarely disappointing fans in these areas. While some of the rumors for Resident Evil 9 might sound far-fetched, the studio’s consistent ability to blend fresh, creative ideas with solid gameplay mechanics gives fans reason to hope that even the wildest concepts could work. After all, Capcom has repeatedly proven that they know how to make these ideas come to life in exciting ways.
To date, these are the main rumors swirling around Resident Evil 9, and if they were all correct, it would undoubtedly be the most ambitious and expansive title in the series. Fans are excited about the potential to blend characters and stories from Resident Evil 2 and 3, connect them to Resident Evil 4 and 8 storylines, while also incorporating threats and characters from Resident Evil 5 and Revelations 1/2. This type of interconnected narrative seems to be exactly what fans want.
However, the last game to attempt such an ambitious crossover was Resident Evil 6, and despite the hype, I’m yet to find anyone besides myself who actually enjoys playing it. While the idea of multiple characters and storylines coming together is exciting, RE6's execution left many fans disappointed. Still, the sheer scope of what Resident Evil 9 could offer has fans cautiously optimistic, hoping Capcom can deliver a more cohesive and thrilling experience.
In reality, Capcom has done a fantastic job with smaller projects, turning them into experiences well worth the price tag. Even Resident Evil 3, which initially received mixed reviews, has found redemption in the fanbase over time, to the point that it fueled the Jill rumors back in 2022. Resident Evil 9 will likely feature an island setting, with three vast locations tied to a three-act structure. With Leon and Jill as the main focus, there will likely be cameos from characters like Barry and Claire, but they will probably play smaller roles. Chris, on the other hand, will certainly be involved, given his deep ties to the ongoing story.
Fans are also expecting a segment featuring a stalker-like enemy (possibly the Goat Man or another creature), with enemies that actually fight back rather than just shuffle toward you. This concept feels right because it's what fans have curated through years of feedback. Capcom has proven to be a company that listens to its audience, testing small ideas and expanding on them based on fan reception. This approach is why, since 2017, four of the last five major Resident Evil releases have been embraced as nearly perfect by fans. Even the one that wasn't initially well-received—Resident Evil R3make—is now defended by a dedicated subset of fans. This shows that Capcom has managed to evolve and adapt in ways that resonate with its audience, making the future of Resident Evil feel promising.
So, what can we expect from Resident Evil 9? It’s likely that the game will be officially announced before the summer, with a release date set for Q1 2026—if we even have to wait that long. The game will probably follow the successful formulas of Resident Evil Village and the Resident Evil 4 remake, continuing the blend of survival horror with action and exploration that has resonated with fans. Resident Evil 9 will also likely pave the way for more remakes, with fans speculating that Code Veronica and Zero could be next in line.
“The Residents of this Village sure are Evil”
As for the rest of the rumors, they should be taken with a grain of salt. While the fan theories and leaks are exciting, they shouldn’t overshadow the anticipation for Resident Evil 9, which will undoubtedly be a polished and refined experience. Capcom has a reputation for perfecting what they already know works, rather than reinventing the wheel. So, despite the swirling rumors, we can trust that Resident Evil 9 will be something special, and I, for one, can't wait to see what Capcom has in store next.
