While it's neither the first nor the only name in horror games, there's little debate that the Resident Evil franchise is the face of the genre within the medium. For nearly 30 years, Capcom's survival-horror juggernaut has delighted fans across multiple mainline entries and spin-offs and even undergone a phoenix-like resurrection following the disappointing Resident Evil 6. Since the release of the seventh Resident Evil, the series has displayed a willingness to step outside its own parameters to deliver fans with some unexpected thrills, but there's still some uncharted territory within the horror genre for the series to tackle.

The Resident Evil franchise has always been synonymous with zombies and also somewhat body horror-adjacent given the series' typical inclusion of biological weapons, but there are plenty of examples of Resident Evil games that dip their toes into other horror subgenres. Resident Evil Village famously uses a "carnival of horror" approach to its gameplay, with each of the Four Lords' regions representing a different horror trope. Still, with the future of the franchise wide open following a much-needed reinvention and some incredible remakes of classic games, there's an opportunity for Resident Evil to continue branching out into new horror concepts.

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Cosmic Horror Resident Evil

The Resident Evil series has gone to some pretty dark and gruesome places in the course of its long history, but that horror is always firmly rooted on planet Earth. The idea of a cosmic horror-themed Resident Evil is both an enticing prospect and one that has had success in other franchises, particularly Dead Space. Rather than facing off against biological weapons born from unchecked scientific experimentation, the protagonists could go head-to-head with eldritch horrors unearthed by nefarious corporations sticking their noses where humans were never meant to tread.

Notable Films to Use as Inspiration:

• Annihilation
• The Void
• The Color Out of Space
• In The Mouth of Madness

Home Invasion/Realistic Horror Resident Evil

In a move that could turn the classic framing of the original Resident Evil on its head, the series could tackle the concept of home invasion, transforming the traditional mansion/home setting into a safe space to defend rather than a labyrinth to escape. Alternately, Resident Evil could take a page out of the book of games like Condemned: Criminal Origins and have the protagonist track down real-life horrors such as a serial killer. Truthfully, Resident Evil 7 dabbles in this with the Baker estate's Texas Chain Saw Massacre aesthetic, proving the concept has some value within the context of the series.

Notable Films to Use as Inspiration:

• You're Next
• The Strangers
• Manhunter
• Don't Breathe

Cronenberg-ian Body Horror Resident Evil

Resident Evil has already dabbled in the realm of body horror, with the games practically centered around the idea of human experimentation gone awry, but rarely has that horror ever been turned inward on the protagonist. A new Resident Evil title that sees the protagonist explore their relationship with the human body as it degrades and begins to transform into something horrific could provide a sense of pervading existential dread that few horror games can achieve. In the process, the "resident" in Resident Evil becomes the hero trapped in their own body as it betrays them. RE4 leans into this subtly as Leon, Ada, and Ashley are infected, too.

Notable Films to Use as Inspiration:

• The Fly
• The Thing
• ReAnimator
• Possessor

Ghastly/Spectral Horror Resident Evil

Last is another horror concept that previous Resident Evil titles have dabbled in, though only recently. Both Resident Evil 7 and Resident Evil: Village feature self-contained sections where protagonist Ethan Winters must evade interaction with ghastly or spectral entities. Games like Phasmophobia and films like Paranormal Activity have proven that the cheap thrills and jump scares often associated with ghosts are effective at bringing in an audience, but a Resident Evil title that uses ghosts and malevolent spirits to full effect has the potential to provide fans with a truly chilling experience.

Notable Films to Use as Inspiration:

• The Changeling
• Poltergeist
• The Conjuring
• The Others

Resident Evil

Resident Evil is a long-running survival horror franchise developed by Capcom. Spread across numerous mainline and spin-off entries, the series is known for it’s third and first-person action horror, zombie-related monsters and references, and challenging puzzles.