When it comes to re-releasing old games, Capcom has done an excellent job with their remakes of Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 4, the latter of which earned a Game of the Year nomination. However, given where Resident Evil 8 left off, it’s clear the new entries are what fans are most excited about.

That means Resident Evil 9, or whatever working title Capcom gives the next game in this installment. But what will the game feel like, and when is the Resident Evil 9 release date?

Capcom remains tight-lipped on RE9’s details, but our expert guest author, Aladár Kollár, has done a ton of digging and assessed numerous leaks to give you all the latest and most legitimate intel on the blockbuster game. Now, let’s begin.

Resident Evil 9 Release Date: When Can We Expect It?

While there is no official release window for Resident Evil 9, the official reveal will likely happen this year or next.

Gaming insider Lunatic Agnus speculates that Capcom could reveal Resident Evil 9 at The Game Awards 2024, scheduled for December 12, or during the PlayStation State of Play. Since both events attract a large audience, Capcom wouldn’t want to pass up the opportunity.

However, take this Resident Evil 9 news with some skepticism, especially since the insider himself does not fully commit to the claim, likely because of the forthcoming release of Monster Hunter: Wilds, scheduled for February. “I’m confident the next Resident Evil installment will be announced in December, but given the focus on Monster Hunter: Wilds, it’s possible RE9 gets put on the back burner”, Lunatic Ignus said.

Another insider, Dusk Golem, says “not only is Resident Evil 9 just an ambitious game, there hasn't been a non-remake Resident Evil game that's gotten the level of critical success to get a 90+ critical score. Hear Capcom is gunning really hard to make this great.”

Furthermore, there isn’t much precedent to suggest Resident Evil 9 will be revealed in December. Besides the Resident Evil 3 remake, which was announced in December, recent titles like Resident Evil 7, Resident Evil Village, Resident Evil 4 remake, and Resident Evil 2 remake were all revealed in June.

If Capcom plans to release the game in the first half of next year, then making a reveal at The Game Awards seems plausible. Yet, they could always postpone the reveal until the Summer Game Fest in June 2025 if the next Resident Evil game is delayed any further.

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Resident Evil 9 Release Platforms

Presently, no platforms are confirmed for Resident Evil 9. However, it’s more than safe to assume that RE9 will at least be released on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.

Plot: New Beginning or RE8 Continuation?

According to another rumor from Biohazard Declassified, Resident Evil 9 is set four years after Village (aka Resident Evil 8). We already know Jill and Leon are the main characters, while Chris Redfield and Barry Burton appear as supporting characters.

The main plot supposedly involves Leon from the DSO and Jill from the BSAA infiltrating the island where Eveline’s creators reside. Mr. Simon, the main antagonist, is responsible for creating mass clones of Eveline using the Megamycete, which infects both of our main characters at some point.

Blue Umbrella and Rosemary Winters also return, with the latter needed to create a vaccine for the island’s residents. Finally, the rumor suggests that Resident Evil 9 will bring the storylines of Resident Evil 7 and Resident Evil Village—centered on the Megamycete—to a close.

Returning Characters

Chris Redfield phones Jill and informs her about the infection’s hallucinatory effects and why they need to stop the bioweapon. Barry Burton also appears, advising Jill on her weapon options. These two are expected to feature in the new title.

Resident Evil 9 Play Test

While Capcom has yet to reveal the direction of Resident Evil 9’s story, two play tests leave some clues about the game’s general direction. The first playtest focuses on Jill Valentine, and the other on Leon Kennedy.

Leon’s Play Test

The second playtest, held in September 2024, featured Leon Kennedy on a beach at night as he slowly made his way into a dense forest near Mr. Simon’s laboratory.

Leon is tasked with tracking Simon, who is responsible for cloning bioweapons like Eveline. As players traverse the new map, Leon encounters an old lady who turns out to be a witch who can transform into flies to escape or pursue the character.

However, the witch isn’t the only threat. Players must also battle axe-wielding zombies and immortal dog-like creatures created by the witch. The witch, described as seductive and eerie, is unkillable and taunts Leon throughout the story. Leon’s journey ends at a Blue Umbrella BSAA base, where he observes zombies on the beach praying to a large moon.

Jill’s Play Test

Jill’s play test begins in a hospital on the island, where she and Leon either cross paths or arrive separately but split up. Her job is to locate a serum to combat the town’s mutant infection.

During Jill’s journey, players face more zombie types, specifically scythe, wood, and axe-wielding zombies. An axe-wielding creature called The Goatman stalks Jill throughout the playthrough. While he is unkillable like the witch, he can be temporarily incapacitated.

Jill’s play test ends with her unconscious and infected, tying in with the rumor that we may witness our main characters potentially becoming villains.

Resident Evil 9: Gameplay

Based on leaked footage and the current direction of the series, we expect Resident Evil 9 to continue the first-person perspective introduced in Resident Evil 7. Core mechanics like puzzle-solving, inventory management, ammunition crafting, and resource scavenging are also expected.

New Enemies in Resident Evil 9

• Evolved Zombies: The primary enemies in Resident Evil 9, these zombies worship the moon, bear moon tattoos, and sing to it periodically.

• Goatman: A towering, axe-wielding creature with horns and a huge mouth on his belly. He is unkillable but can be temporarily incapacitated.

• The Witch: Initially appearing as an old lady, she transforms into a young woman with long hair. She is unkillable, taunts players, and even seduces Leon with screams and moans.

Final Thoughts: What This Game Means for the Future of the Series

After reading recent Resident Evil 9 news, many theorists expect the makers to wrap up the storylines introduced in Resident Evil 7 and Village, which revolve around the Megamycete virus.

The forest and beach from the playtest are reminiscent of Resident Evil Village. Even the characters feel like callbacks—for instance, the stalking witch is reminiscent of Lady Dimitrescu’s daughters, while Goatman resembles the Tyrant Nemesis.

As leaks suggest, both main characters becoming infected could signal their transformation into potential villains. However, these are just speculations, so take them with a grain of salt. So far, Capcom has not verified any of these theories, but if that changes, we’ll be the first to report it.