Resident Evil 9 has been fertile ground for speculation, since Capcom has yet to reveal anything about the next chapter in the long-running horror franchise. Right now, all that is really known about Resident Evil 9 is that RE7 director Koshi Nakanishi is set to return. This may be a small piece of the larger puzzle, but it could signal a potential continuation of the story that RE7 kicked into motion.
RE7 introduced Ethan Winters, a brand-new protagonist, as he searched for his missing wife in the swamps of Louisiana. This search eventually led him to the Bakers, a family infected and mutated by a horrifying mold that antagonist Eveline used to control them. However, one member of the family was able to resist her powers. Zoe Baker served as a major help for Ethan in RE7, and returning in RE9 could help bring this era of the franchise full circle.
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Resident Evil 9 Could Be Setting Up a Zoe Baker Return
Zoe After the Events of RE7
Since Ethan was only able to get one cure for the infection, he ultimately gave it to his wife Mia, leaving Zoe behind in Louisiana. However, Ethan made good on his promise to send help to Zoe, setting the stage for the RE7 DLC, End of Zoe. In this story, Zoe's uncle Joe is on a mission to find her, as Eveline has calcified her. Chris Redfield and Blue Umbrella eventually save both Joe and Zoe, giving them a far happier ending than the rest of the Baker family.
There have been several leaks and rumors regarding RE9. Some of the most major are claims of Leon and Jill returning and a potential island setting where a moon-worshipping cult lives. While compelling, these claims should be met with skepticism.
Where is Zoe Baker Now?
- Zoe became a reporter in New Orleans.
- Since the End of Zoe, she has been investigating The Connections and is aware of Ethan and his family's move to Eastern Europe.
With Zoe clearly interested in the illegal dealings that The Connections is tied up in, RE7 and Village could be setting the stage for RE9 to finally lift the veil on this mysterious organization. Ethan's wife, Mia, was working for The Connections before the events of RE7, and the franchise could be teasing an eventual climax that showcases Zoe tracking down Mia to get intel on the organization's crimes.
There's no telling what the story of RE9 has in store for fans, but The Connections remains a loose thread that is deserving of a tie-up. It's clear that The Connections could be a serious threat due to their interest in crafting bioweapons, and RE9 is hopefully ready to open the doors to a deeper dive into the group's history.
It's unclear if Mia Winters still has ties to The Connections.
The Connections remains a loose thread that is deserving of a tie-up.
2025 Hopefully Brings Forth an Official RE9 Announcement
It's unlikely that a new Resident Evil game will launch this year, but 2026 seems primed to be a strong launch target. Next year is also the 30th anniversary of the entire franchise, so if there was ever the perfect time to release RE9, it would be 2026. Of course, there's no way to know for sure until Capcom makes something official, but a fresh update on the progress of RE9 would be welcomed by a lot of eager fans.
As the wait continues, speculation and rumors are bound to remain prevalent. Any future leaks should be taken with a heavy dose of salt, too. Once RE9 is officially revealed, it will be interesting to see if there are any clues to point to Zoe Baker or The Connections making a return to the franchise.
Resident Evil 9
- Developer(s)
- Capcom
- Publisher(s)
- Capcom
- Franchise
- Resident Evil
Resident Evil 9 is a rumoured upcoming entry in the long-running series from Capcom. Reports suggest it could be a reinvention of the series.
