Virtually nothing has been revealed about the highly anticipated Resident Evil 9, but that hasn't stopped fans of the franchise from speculating about it. On top of online brainstorming sessions and general wishful thinking, there have been a few alleged leaks and rumors that hint at Resident Evil 9's possible story and gameplay elements, painting a blurry picture of the future of the franchise.
Resident Evil has been on a tear lately. Resident Evil 3's remake got a lukewarm reception, but essentially every other RE game since Resident Evil 7 has been met with glowing reviews and commercial success. This spate of hit titles has been composed of both new entries and ambitious remakes, with the latter forming the majority of the series' modern output. The result of this back-and-forth is a rather interesting franchise culture and legacy, as audiences are regularly reminded of the likes of Leon Kennedy and Jill Valentine, despite them not being directly involved in the currently developing plot of the series. This might not be the case for much longer, though, as rumors have suggested that RE9 will be bringing back these older characters, which should have implications beyond just them.
Resident Evil 9 Could Have A Terrifying New Version of a Classic Monster if Rumors Are True
Potential rumors about Resident Evil 9 might help pave the way for the return or a variation of one of the series' most classic and iconic monsters.
If Leon Kennedy Returns in Resident Evil 9, Ada Wong Needs to Join Him
It's Been a While Since Resident Evil Touched On Ada
Ada Wong last appeared in the protagonist-packed Resident Evil 6, where she had a bit of a walking-into-the-sunset moment, washing her hands of the current conflict and embarking on another job, shrouded in mystery. It's not clear whether Capcom was ever planning to do something with this enigmatic mission or if it was simply included to underscore Ada's cool professionalism, but either way, it suggests that she is still active following the events of Resident Evil 6.
Depending on when Resident Evil 9 takes place, Ada and the other legacy characters could all be approaching or well into their fifties.
With Ada presumably still an agent for the Chinese government, there's plenty of potential for her to return in a future RE game. Moreover, her connection with Leon would serve as the perfect excuse to bring her back into the fray.
Resident Evil 9 Could Offer Closure for Leon and Ada's Relationship
While Ethan and Mia Winters are Resident Evil's predominant couple, the franchise is mostly devoid of romantic subplots—Ethan and Mia's relationship is more about family and duty than butterflies in the stomach. The exception to this would be Leon and Ada, who have had an explicitly romantic, albeit fleeting and tumultuous, relationship throughout the franchise. From their very first encounter in RE2, Leon and Ada have had some sort of romantic connection, even sharing a kiss near the end of the story. Their dynamic also has strong flirtatious undertones in Resident Evil 4 and Resident Evil 6.
Assuming Resident Evil 9 takes place after Shadows of Rose, these star-crossed lovers would be middle-aged—long past the age of schoolyard crushes and touch-and-go flirting. They also may not have too many more high-stakes missions left in them: a lifetime of zombie fighting probably takes its toll on the body, after all. In light of this, Resident Evil 9 bringing back Ada could allow for some closure regarding her relationship with Leon, as well as her career as a spy. They don't have to spend the end credits walking down the aisle, but putting a bow on their decades-long dynamic could result in better character development for both parties. And with a new generation of gamers falling in love with Ada thanks to the remakes, there certainly wouldn't be a lack of demand for her appearance come RE9.
Resident Evil 4
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 92 /100 Critics Rec: 98%
- Released
- March 24, 2023
- ESRB
- M for Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- Capcom
- Publisher(s)
- Capcom
- Engine
- RE Engine
- Franchise
- Resident Evil
WHERE TO PLAY
Survival is just the beginning.
Six years have passed since the biological disaster in Raccoon City.
Agent Leon S. Kennedy, one of the survivors of the incident, has been sent to rescue the president's kidnapped daughter. He tracks her to a secluded European village, where there is something terribly wrong with the locals.
And the curtain rises on this story of daring rescue and grueling horror where life and death, terror and catharsis intersect.
Featuring modernized gameplay, a reimagined storyline, and vividly detailed graphics, Resident Evil 4 marks the rebirth of an industry juggernaut.
Relive the nightmare that revolutionized survival horror.
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
- How Long To Beat
- 16 Hours
- PS Plus Availability
- N/A
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
