In July 2024, Capcom gave fans something to look forward to: Resident Evil 9 is on its way, led by Koshi Nakanishi, the mastermind behind Resident Evil 7. While the game’s specific direction remains a mystery, Nakanishi’s knack for crafting intense, confined gameplay hints at a return to those nerve-wracking atmospheres we love.
There’s been chatter about Resident Evil 9 possibly embracing an open-world format, contradicting Nakanishi’s past projects. However, gamers should handle such rumors cautiously. Regardless of its final form, there’s one standout moment from Resident Evil Village the new installment could take a page from.
In Resident Evil Village, after maneuvering through the extensive introduction, players delve into Castle Dimitrescu in search of Ethan Winters’ fragmented baby. This grand castle exploration is both a visual treat and a tense gameplay scenario, with Lady Dimitrescu’s daunting presence looming. But after this expansive segment, the game shifts gears, presenting a short burst of horror that’s unforgettable.
Perched on a snowy cliff, House Beneviento is an eerie setting where another piece of Ethan’s baby can be found. As players tread through the silent, foreboding hallways, they eventually descend into a basement where unexpected frights await.
In the basement, players encounter a chilling doll named Angie guarding the vial they desperately seek. Just as players reach for it, the room plunges into darkness. When the lights return, both the vial and the players’ equipment vanish, leaving a solitary life-sized doll in the room. From there, it’s like stepping into a high-stakes escape room, filled with sinister sounds and mysterious happenings. The environment oozes horror as players scurry to solve riddles associated with the creepy doll, only to face further dread when a monstrous figure of a baby emerges, transforming the experience into a heart-pounding game of hide and seek.
This tense sequence culminates in a thrilling showdown with Donna Beneviento and Angie, her mischief-making doll. Although it only spans about 45 minutes, this segment is one of the most iconic parts of Resident Evil Village, marrying scares with challenging enigmas in a neat package.
Whether Resident Evil 9 embraces the high-paced action of its predecessors or treads more traditional survival horror paths, it would do well to incorporate a sequence reminiscent of House Beneviento. For a horror-themed title, such a segment could amplify the fear factors, whereas, in an intensity-driven game, it would serve as a refreshing nod to the series’ eerie origins.