Highlights

  • Resident Evil 9 could bring back iconic enemies like Lickers, Hunters, and Tyrants, providing fans with nostalgic challenges.
  • The return of classic enemies, such as zombie dogs known as Cerberus and Chainsaw Sisters, would add tension and surprise to Resident Evil 9.
  • With the success of Resident Evil remakes, it makes sense for Resident Evil 9 to incorporate legacy characters and enemies to appeal to fans' nostalgia.

With 14 mainline entries under its belt, and even more spinoffs, it's only natural that the Resident Evil franchise has had a ton of great enemies over the years, some of which have become some of the most iconic monsters and villains in gaming history. When fans usually think about Resident Evil's long history of foes, there are a few that stand out right away, such as Resident Evil 2's Mr. X, Resident Evil 3's Nemesis, and Resident Evil 4's Regeneradors, but the vast majority of those iconic enemies are one-and-done. However, Resident Evil 9 might be able to change that.

While Resident Evil 7 and 8 were familiar but fresh entries in the franchise, the continued success of the Resident Evil remakes seems to prove that fans don't mind the return of some classic elements. With Ethan Winters' story coming to an end, it's already been heavily rumored that Resident Evil 9 will bring the focus back to legacy characters like Chris Redfield. But if that's true, then Resident Evil 9 might as well lean all the way into nostalgia, and bring back some iconic Resident Evil enemies while it's at it.

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Lickers

Maybe the most iconic Resident Evil enemy outside of Nemesis, Lickers were first introduced all the way back in 1998 with Resident Evil 2. Immediately recognizable thanks to their horrifyingly huge brain and lack of skin, Lickers can't see their prey, and instead use their gigantic tongue to feel their way around an environment. By themselves, Lickers are a vicious threat, but one that careful players can avoid fairly easily. But when paired with other infected or huddled together in a little pack, Lickers quickly become a severe challenge, and one that fans love facing time and time again.

Hunters

Another Resident Evil mainstay, Hunters have cropped up throughout the franchise's history, first appearing in the original Resident Evil back in 1996. A mix of reptile DNA, human DNA, and the T-Virus, Hunters are grotesque frog-like creatures that often pack a serious punch. Hunters have most recently appeared in the Resident Evil 3 remake, where they're capable of delivering a killing blow in just one hit.

Tyrants

The name given to a number of Resident Evil's most iconic enemies, Tyrants need to make a return in Resident Evil 9. From the very original claw-handed iteration in Resident Evil, to Mr. X and Nemesis, Tyrants are often used as endgame bosses across the Resident Evil franchise, though they haven't been used in a mainline entry for a while now. With Mr. X and Nemesis being incredibly popular elements of the recent Resident Evil remakes, it'd be a smart decision to include another Tyrant in the next entry.

Cerberus

Another staple of the Resident Evil franchise, zombie dogs, known as Cerberus, should definitely make a return in Resident Evil 9. They may not be too tricky to take down, but the appearance of a Cerberus in a Resident Evil always catches the player off-guard, requiring a slightly different, faster strategy to defeat than the vast majority of the game's other enemy types.

Chainsaw Sisters

Image from the Resident Evil 4 remake showing the Chainsaw Sisters advancing.

Resident Evil 4 is home to some of the most iconic enemies in the entire franchise, but with the game being set in a very specific location, and the Las Plagas being contained to just a few entries, very few enemies have returned since. That being said, Resident Evil 9 could still take inspiration from Resident Evil 4's enemies, and the Chainsaw Sisters are an ideal pick. Fast, frantic, and intimidating, the Chainsaw Sisters task players with taking out two insta-killing enemies at once, and that kind of tension needs to be present in Resident Evil 9.