One of the reasons why the next Resident Evil game is so interesting, spawning no shortage of rumors and speculation ahead of its official reveal, is because of what it represents for the future of the franchise. The Ethan Winters duology has come to a close, so whatever Capcom decides to do with the next RE entry could determine the path of the next several releases.
Among the more pressing questions waiting to be answered is the matter of Resident Evil 9's protagonist(s). The upcoming game could feature returning legacy characters like Leon Kennedy or Jill Valentine, who have enjoyed renewed popularity with fans thanks to the Resident Evil remakes, or it could star a new character altogether. But there's also a demand for characters that have been less represented in recent entries, like Chris Redfield, who takes a backseat in both RE7 and RE: Village, despite being playable in both. Regardless of what Resident Evil 9 winds up looking like, Capcom shouldn't wait too long to bring back Chris, and when it does, there's a perfect partner waiting for him.
Resident Evil Setting Tier List
Resident Evil has taken characters to a variety of diverse settings over the years, but alas, they are not all created equal.
It's Time for a Chris and Claire Redfield Resident Evil Game
Claire and Chris Have Never Gotten Their Own Game
Despite being related, Chris and Claire Redfield share remarkably little in-game time together. The only game that can truly be considered a "Redfield story" is Resident Evil: Code Veronica, but even then, Claire and Chris aren't exactly equal partners. The story follows Claire for the most part, and then switches to Chris' perspective when he arrives at Rockfort Island to rescue her. It's an interesting dynamic—a bit of an inversion of RE2's plot, and the first time they actually get to interact for extended periods of time in-game—but it still feels like a missed opportunity.
Claire is MIA in Resident Evil 6, the most protagonist-packed entry in the series, which could have been a good opportunity to have the siblings team up.
Claire and Chris have never gotten to partner up in the same way as Chris and Jill, or Claire and Leon. This is rather disappointing, as the pair have never gotten much time dedicated to fleshing out their relationship as siblings. A game that focuses on both of them, together, could allow for a more relatable and intimate story about family, rather than simply having this intimate connection gestured at.
What a Chris and Claire Team-Up Game Could Look Like
A game that focuses specifically on the relationship between Chris and Claire, where they must rely on each other but not to the point of it being one's mission to save the other, could be quite powerful. Capcom would have two broad-strokes options for this sort of game:
- Feature Claire and Chris working toward the same goal, but with different campaigns, ala RE1 or RE2
- Feature Claire and Chris as a duo, ala Resident Evil 5 or Resident Evil Revelations 2
The first option could lead to a more controlled and potentially impactful narrative, as it would be better-tailored around each sibling's adventure, but it could also mean less time spent on their relationship. While the second option would perhaps be a bit less narratively exciting, as the pair would be together for all or most of the game, it could lead to more interactions between the two, which would be valuable for obvious reasons. Option 2 could also serve as a good chance for Capcom to reprise Resident Evil's long-dormant co-op gameplay.
As previously mentioned, the future of Resident Evil is a bit uncertain, and an adventure helmed by Chris and Claire is unlikely to be high on Capcom's list of priorities. Another game starring Jill or even Rebecca might have more immediate potential, for instance. But a Redfield sibling story shouldn't be discounted either, even if it's a few games away.
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
