Warning - This article delves deep into some of the main plot points of Resident Evil 6 and Resident Evil Village.No matter the type of game, Resident Evil titles generally follow a set formula. There is the slow beginning section that sets up the world and scares, the flexible middle that showcases a mixture of horror and action the Resident Evil franchise is well-known for, and the bombastic ending that almost always ends in a cacophony of explosions, gunfire, and massive boss fights. After all is said and done, the protagonists escape their respective nightmares and live to survive another day.
It's a tried and true formula - one that Resident Evil has been using since its beginning. But despite its continued success, Resident Evil has created not one but multiple protagonists that seem almost invincible. Leon Kennedy, Jill Vallentine, and Chris Redfield are but a few characters whose reputations and skills far exceed those of any normal human being. If Capcom wants to bring more survival horror elements back into the Resident Evil franchise, it might want to consider killing off one or more of its mainstay heroes or heroines.
Resident Evil Protagonists Are Larger Than Life
Looking at most of the mainline Resident Evil titles, protagonists like Special Tactics and Rescue Service (S.T.A.R.S.) members Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine tend to remove any feelings of horror in their games. They have special training and are well-equipped to handle tense situations like the Spencer Mansion Incident and the Raccoon City Incident. While they may find themselves in a bind from time to time, their skills and nature of being longtime fan favorites always ensure they will survive whatever comes their way.
There are a few exceptions, however. Sherry Birkin and Leon Kennedy in Resident Evil 2 and Ethan Winters in Resident Evil 7: Biohazard are prime examples of inexperienced protagonists that are genuinely terrified and unsure of their situation. But even though Sherry, Leon, and Ethan's first outings have them struggling with survival, their succeeding appearances have them become bonafide heroes. Leon becomes a government agent in Resident Evil 4. Sherry grows up and becomes an American federal agent in Resident Evil 6. Even Ethan gets his own personal trainer in Chris Redfield and mows down hordes of Lycans in Resident Evil Village. As their stories develop, they too become more than capable of surviving the horrors of the Resident Evil universe.
Death Would Bring Back A Sense Of Horror To Resident Evil
Killing off main characters, especially those as beloved as the ones found in the Resident Evil franchise, is no easy task. The characters have to be up against overwhelming odds, so much so that they don't have any other choice but to die. It is only in this manner that their deaths will be justified and believable to fans. A good example of such a death is Ethan Winters' final sacrifice in Resident Evil Village. After defeating Mother Miranda, Ethan activates the bombs planted by Chris Redfield to destroy the Fungal Root - saving not only the world but the lives of his wife Mia and daughter Rose. Ethan has always taken his role as a husband and father seriously, and this final act is a culmination of his love for them. While Ethan's death may not hit as hard as more established Resident Evil characters, players were at the very least able to feel for him because of his role as the main protagonist in Resident Evil 7: Biohazard and Resident Evil Village.
While a death of a main Resdent Evil character will cause some fan backlash, it would also help bring back a sense of horror to the franchise. It would show that no character is safe from the jaws of death, not even longtime fan favorites. This would make every narrative encounter more tense and every ending unpredictable. Considering how unpredictability is one of the core components of horror, Resident Evil could do with more of it.
Resident Evil 4 is out now for PC, PS4, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.