Summary

• Resident Evil 9 is in development at Capcom, potentially moving on from Ethan Winters' story from the last two games.
• Biohazard was a soft reboot in 2017, returning RE to its horror roots, and was praised for evolving gameplay and story elements.
• Chris Redfield would ideally transition to a mentor role in RE9, focusing on teenage Rose Winters and her unique abilities as teh main character.

While recently doing promotion for a new mobile version of Resident Evil 7: Biohazard, lead developer Koshi Nakanishi hinted that RE9 is likely in development has many online pondering where the story may go next. The events of 2021’s Resident Evil: Village seem to have put a definite end to Ethan Winters' story. The game’s DLC, Shadows of Rose, picks up 16 years after the events of Village, focusing on a teenage Rose Winters, the daughter of the deceased Ethan.

When Biohazard was released in 2017, it was a reboot of sorts for the series, seeing it reimagined from a first-person perspective. The game also returned to the franchise’s horror roots, shying away from the more action-heavy elements that had come to define the series, starting with Resident Evil 4 in 2005. The end result was celebrated as a positive evolution for Resident Evil, honoring its past while also innovating its gameplay and story elements. Returning to the franchise was Chris Redfield, a staple character since the series’ debut in 1996, but maybe it’s time to move on from Redfield.

Rose Winters Would Make An Excellent Protagonist For RE9

Her Telekentic Abilities Make For Interesting Story Elements & Gameplay

The story of the Winters Family played out through the events of Biohazard and Village, and made for an immensely compelling plot. Village in particular saw a narrative focused around the rescue of an infant Rose from the Four Lords, ending with Rose being taken under the protection of Redfield and the BSAA. The Shadows of Rose DLC drives that story forward, set ahead in time, and focusing on a teenage Rose who is maligned and ostracized for her strange abilities she acquired through exposure to the toxic Mold. Her abilities have opened up fertile ground for both stories and mechanics.

Rumors indicate that Resident Evil 9 may take place in Southeast Asia, a first for the franchise.

There's a compelling argument to be made that RE9 should kill off Redfield, and while that would certainly be a significant moment for the franchise's lore, there have been many successful RE titles without him. Rather than kill him, Redfield could take on a ing role, operating more as a mentor to the young Rose Winters. This would be especially applicable if the next game takes place after the events of Shadows of Rose. If it were to do so, Redfield would be well within his mid-60s, and past his prime physically. He would still be a valuable asset to any team.

Chris Redfield Would Still Be Beneficial In A Mentor Role

Redfield Is About Age 64 In Shadows Of Rose

Redfield has fought hard against bioterrorism since first encountering the Umbrella’s T-Virus in the first game. Few would have the insight he does into how to combat such a threat, and the villains that wield it. Shadows of Rose shows he has taken on a protector and mentor role in her life. With her abilities and access to the Realm of Consciousness, Rose represents an exciting new way in which to view and interact with the world of Resident Evil. She is an excellent protagonist to carry the story forward, and Redfield could shine in a more backseat role.

The Resident Evil franchise has never been short of surprising, with its ability to introduce new characters and ideas with each installment. The talented developers at Capcom are exceedingly capable of telling more great stories with Redfield at the head of the narrative. If Shadows of Rose proves to be the finale of Rose Winters’ story, so be it, but the ideas introduced by her character will hopefully stick around. The Realm of Consciousness is an endlessly fascinating concept, and it would be great to see such an idea influence Resident Evil 9, whether Rose Winters is there or not.