Summary
TheResident Evilfranchise has been enjoying a massive resurgence in popularity thanks to the success of its first-person entries and its slate of remakes, but the series should grow in one important area.Resident Evilhas started to get darkerfrom a tonal and thematic standpoint, but how it handles its narrative still leaves room for improvement.
Resident Evilhas always been a franchise about its characters. Unlike a survival horror series likeSilent Hill,Resident Evil’s protagonists (with one notable exception) end their games physically and emotionally intact, leaving them free to star in future releases. The series thus revolves around a few central characters, including Chris Redfield, Claire Redfield, Jill Valentine, and Leon Kennedy. These heroes are known for their fortitude, resolve, and positive attitude, and these traits allow them to tackle their challenges head-on and face terrifying threats. WhilemodernResident Evilgameshave fleshed out some of these protagonists and side characters, the series should keep delving into their backgrounds and psyches.
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Resident Evil Needs to Focus More On Character Development
Resident Evil’s famous protagonists may be iconic, but they can often come across as one-note or shallow without much deeper characterization.Resident Evil 7andResident Evil Villagetake steps to make Ethan Winters a more complex character, making the story about his relationship with his wife and child, but the character lacks the charisma of the other series' leads. It doesn’t look like Ethan is going to be coming back to the franchise anytime soon, at any rate.
Thus, it would be ideal for the series to take steps to deepen these popular characters.ComparingREtoSilent Hill, that franchise makes it a point to dive into its characters' psychologies, making the narrative of each game tie directly into their personal relationships and backstories. In this way, Konami has been able to use the town of Silent Hill, the plot, and the gameplay mechanics to explore the fears, desires, and traumas of each main character.Resident Evil’s heroes, aside from Ethan Winters, are often emotionally detached from the stories they star in, typically working as members of law enforcement or special forces teams. This approach is intentional, as it makes them feel more like action heroes, but it is starting to get a bit stale.
Resident Evilfeatures several playable characters, but the most significant are arguably Leon, Chris, Ada, Claire, and Jill. Unfortunately, these characters are some of the least interesting in many ways, and their stoic, action-hero personas get in the way of meaningful character development. In future installments, it would be nice to see another side of them, perhaps diving deeper into their backgrounds, regrets, and personal relationships. There is plenty of potential with these characters specifically, as their adventures in the franchise have put them through a great deal of stress and trauma, which could be explored in upcoming narratives. Even the rumoredResident Evil 5andResident Evil 6remakes could offer some more character development, retroactively adding certain insightful scenes or lines of dialogue that weren’t in the originals.
This focus on character development wouldn’t necessarily have to mean dark, disturbing stories a laSilent Hill. Something as simple as adding expandedromance plots toResident Evilgames could work wonders, as it would allow players to see a more intimate and vulnerable side of characters that are usually cool and detached. Alternate options include flashback sequences or the involvement of more personal stakes for the heroes, connecting them to the greater narrative on a deeper level. Whatever route Capcom chooses to take with itsResident Evilcharacters, it will be important for them to experience some significant development.
Resident Evil Village
WHERE TO PLAY
Ethan Winters finds himself in an entirely new nightmare in Capcom’s latest installment of the acclaimed Resident Evil franchise. Whether you’re defending against Lycans in the grim dwellings of the village or exploring the lavish Castle Dimitrescu, the meticulously designed environments immerse you in this eerie world, powered by Capcom’s proprietary RE Engine. Run from, hide or face off against a diverse cast of terrifying village inhabitants in dream-like - no, nightmarish - situations and fight your instincts to push through classic horror-based sequences. Also, be sure to check out “The Mercenaries” that unlocks once you’ve finished the campaign, a fast-paced and arcade-like game mode which challenges players to blast away enemies against the clock.
