Resident Evil 9 Leak Suggests a Major Series Reinvention on Par with RE4 and RE7

A new leak claims that Resident Evil 9 will be a "big reinvention" of the franchise, comparable to the transformative impact of Resident Evil 4 and Resident Evil 7. While Capcom has yet to officially announce RE9, the series' immense popularity makes its release a question of “when” rather than “if.”

Conflicting Rumors Surround Resident Evil 9

Speculation about Resident Evil 9’s direction has been swirling, with contradictory reports on key details. Some leaks suggest that Leon and Jill will be the main protagonists, while others dispute this. Similarly, there are claims that RE9 will feature a fully open-world structure, while some expect a more traditional gameplay style akin to Resident Evil 7 and Village.

While nothing is confirmed until Capcom makes an official announcement, a notable insider, Aesthetic Gamer (Dusk Golem), has shared new details about the project. According to the leak, Resident Evil 9 will not follow the styles of RE7/Village or the recent remakes but will instead take a bold, ambitious new approach.

Resident Evil 9 to Reinvent the Franchise

The Resident Evil series has never shied away from major reinventions. While the early games followed a fixed-camera survival horror formula, Resident Evil 4 revolutionized the genre with its over-the-shoulder camera and action-driven combat. Later, Resident Evil 7 dramatically shifted the experience once again, emphasizing horror and introducing a first-person perspective.

Now, Resident Evil 9 is expected to introduce another major shake-up, potentially through the rumored open-world structure or an entirely new gameplay concept.

A Reveal May Finally Be Coming This Year

Fortunately for eager fans, RE9’s long-awaited reveal could be just around the corner. According to the leak, Capcom is expected to unveil the game sometime this year, putting an end to speculation and offering a clear look at its next evolution.

With Capcom currently on a hot streak, delivering successful releases across multiple franchises, Resident Evil 9 will be a crucial test of whether the company can maintain its momentum. Whether it leans into the rumored open-world direction or surprises with an unexpected twist, RE9 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting entries in the series yet.