Resident Evil 9 Will Be The End Of The Road For Ethan's Trilogy
Resident Evil Village isn't even out yet, but according to the latest leaks, Capcom is well on the way to delivering another chapter with Resident Evil 9. More than just the idea that we'll get another numbered entry in the main series, reports claim the next game will round off a trilogy that started with Ethan Winters in Resident Evil 7. Alongside Ada Wong, Leon Kennedy, and the Redfields, Ethan is a major player in the franchise.
More than just being the likes of Billy Coen or Sheva Alomar shoehorned in alongside some familiar faces, Ethan Winters emerged as the de facto hero of RE7 and struck that right balance between square-jawed protagonist and troubled puppet of the wider Resi world. While players always knew his story would continue in Village, there's hope that he'll live to fight another day and escape the crumbling Castle Dimitrescu. Then again, he could be recruited to Lady Dimitrescu's vampiric brood.
Will Resident Evil 9 round off the trilogy?
According to reputable leaker @AestheticGamer, decisions that were made in Resident Evil 7 will become a lot clearer after the credits roll on Village. Although they don't explain what that means, we're guessing it could have something to do with the formation of Blue Umbrella to clear up the mess left behind by the classic "Red" Umbrella Corporation. It's also unclear how/why Chris Redfield fits into the story and why he looks like a rogue villain in the various Village teases.
If all of the above wasn't enough, AestheticGamer also thinks Resident Evil 9 will be the last entry that goes with a numbered format. While it might make more sense to round off with Resident Evil X, they're sure Capcom will forge ahead with "self-contained" stories instead of planning ahead. What's most interesting is, the claim that RE7, Village, and RE9 were all developed in a short space of time - presumably as a way to keep continuity.
What does this mean for Ethan's trilogy in Resident Evil 9?
The main assumption here is that Ethan will emerge victorious from the realms of Castle Dimitrescu and once again suit up as the lead of RE9. We say, don't be so sure. If Capcom has taught us anything over the years, it's to expect the unexpected. We still don't know what causes Ethan to leave his seemingly happy life with his wife for this snowy tundra of vampires and werewolves. Resident Evil has never been afraid to kill (we use that term loosely) its leads, so Ethan isn't out of the woods yet.
Added to this, some big Resi staples like Ada, Albert Wesker, Jill Valentine, and Claire Redfield have been MIA for a while. If Resident Evil 9 really is the end of the road for this era, it would make sense to throw a few of them back into the mix - assuming they don't pop up in Village. The idea of rounding off the latest trilogy AND numbered RE titles is a clever way to shift copies. Village is everywhere right now and looks like it will be another return to form with some serious Resident Evil 4 vibes. Considering both RE7 and Village are so different in their look and feel, we can't wait to see how Ethan's trilogy comes to an end in Resident Evil 9.
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