Highlights

  • Ethan Winters' journey in Resident Evil is characterized by his unwavering commitment and genuine love for his family, making sacrificial choices to protect them.
  • The introduction of Rosemary Winters in the DLC Shadows of Rose raises the possibility of her becoming a main protagonist in a future Resident Evil game, although embracing superpowers could risk alienating fans seeking a survival-horror experience.

Ethan Winters made his debut in Resident Evil 7, embarking on a perilous journey to rescue his long-lost partner, Mia. In this nightmarish adventure, he confronts unspeakable horrors, witnessing his beloved wife succumb to involuntary madness. Despite the harrowing challenges, Ethan emerged as a survivor, determined to fulfill his role as a devoted husband and father. Through unwavering commitment and genuine love for his family, he ultimately makes a sacrificial choice that concludes his chapter in the franchise—a resolution to the rather tumultuous saga shaped by the Mold. As anticipation builds for the next mainline Resident Evil, the time may have come to bid farewell to the Winters' storyline.

This could entail the introduction of fresh characters, and the exploration of a completely new storyline, diverging from the trend of heavily interconnecting and expanding upon previous titles. Chris Redfield might lead Resident Evil 9, which could also be suitable as his story has the capacity for new adventures to emerge. However, a common critique of the ResidentEvil series involves characters reappearing in subsequent games long after their narratives have concluded, and their purposes have been fulfilled. Resident Evil 9 offers a chance to echo the effective approach of starting anew.

RELATED: Chris is Claire's Best Chance to Return in Resident Evil 9

Rosemary Winters' Role in Village's Shadows of Rose DLC

Resident Evil Village introduces the DLC Shadows of Rose, showcasing Rosemary Winters, the daughter of Ethan and Mia Winters. Set ~15 years after the events of Village, Rosemary grapples with the challenges posed by her Megamycete powers in the DLC. As the offspring of an individual marked by the Mold, Rosemary inherited extraordinary powers.

From swift healing to the uncanny ability to maintain a human visage despite her altered nature, and even the capacity to reattach severed body parts, Rose embodies a potent force within the Resident Evil universe.

Rosemary Winters Could Be A Risky, Overpowered Protagonist

Introducing Rosemary with her formidable powers in Shadows of Rose raises the question of whether she could become a main protagonist in a future Resident Evil game. While the idea isn't entirely implausible, it could mark a significant departure for Resident Evil, steering towards superpowered protagonists. Rose's powers, initially introduced in a balanced manner, respected the franchise's survival-horror roots. Embracing superpowers could alienate parts of the fanbase, though, risking a shift away from survival-horror mechanics.

The success of Shadows of Rose lies in its contextual implementation of Rose's abilities and emotional connection to her father. As the DLC gracefully concludes with a subtle sense of acceptance, it alludes to her future presence in the series. Rather, a deliberate temporal gap is essential, allowing room for other games to unfold first.

Nonetheless, numerous fans have conjectured that Resident Evil 9 may spotlight Chris Redfield, whether in a supportive capacity or as the central protagonist. Despite the recent successes of introducing totally new characters, there is a likelihood that Resident Evil 9 will recenter on legacy characters, potentially heralding the comeback of Jill Valentine and Claire Redfield. In such a scenario, the questions surrounding Resident Evil's BSAA are poised to unfold in the forthcoming game, leaving the Winters storyline far behind, at least for now.