Highlights

  • Resident Evil 7 and Resident Evil Village brought a fresh perspective to the franchise with a new cast of characters and an increased number of villains, elevating the combat scenarios and narrative.
  • The success of these games lies in the fleshed-out villains who deepen the story complexity and deliver entertaining dialogue and cutscenes, presenting an opportunity for the franchise to continue injecting freshness into its narratives.
  • The Dimitrescu family from Resident Evil Village emerged as iconic villains due to their enthralling gameplay, rich lore, and the hauntingly beautiful backdrop of their grand castle, leaving fans eager for more interconnected villains and bosses in future games.

Resident Evil stands as a cornerstone in the horror genre, consistently introducing formidable villains that evolve into iconic characters etched in video game history. A pivotal moment for the franchise occurred with the release of Resident Evil 7 in 2017, a game that breathed new life into Capcom's horror legacy.

This installment not only reinvigorated the series but also brought forth a fresh perspective on horror, featuring an entirely new cast of characters centered around the Winters family. The protagonist, Ethan Winters, takes center stage and his journey is one of familial love and determination, which resonates throughout the subsequent game, Resident Evil Village. But that wasn't the only thing that took a new turn.

The increased number of villains and formidable bosses in these two games marks a notable and successful shift. This change not only provides a greater sense of purpose in combat scenarios but also contributes to the narrative's elevation. In contrast to other titles, such as Resident Evil 3, which revolves around a singular main antagonist like Nemesis, or Resident Evil 5, where the focus is on taking down a truly evil villain named Wesker, the games featuring the Winters family storyline excel in amplifying the impact of their villains.

RELATED: How Wesker’s Role in Resident Evil 4’s Separate Ways DLC Bridges a Remake Gap

What Kind Of Villains Should Be In Resident Evil 9

  • Feature interesting lore that connects with other villains.
  • The more, the merrier.

A prime example is Resident Evil Village, where four distinct main villains each preside over their allocated domains: Castle Dimitrescu, House Beneviento, Moreau's Mine and Sunken City, and Heisenberg's Factory. These areas are adorned with sentiment, tailored furniture, and architectural elements that reflect the iconic personalities of the villains. This emerging trend serves as a promising direction for upcoming Resident Evil titles.

The success of Resident Evil 7 and Resident Evil Village is largely due to the fresh perspective brought to the games, with various fleshed-out villains who deepen the complexity of the story all whilst delivering entertaining dialogue and performing in enticing cutscenes. With speculation surrounding Chris Redfield taking the lead in Resident Evil 9, it presents an opportune moment for the franchise to build upon the proven success of injecting freshness into its narratives. To achieve this, incorporating a multitude of villains and bosses with rich personalities, intricate lore, and interconnected storylines could establish yet another set of iconic adversaries in the realm of video game history.

Why The Dimitrescu Family Is So Iconic

Even though they are only featured briefly in the early stages of Resident Evil Village, the Dimitrescu family has swiftly emerged as some of the most iconic villains in the franchise. Central to their allure is the enthralling gameplay that places players in a suspenseful chase within the opulent confines of their grand castle. However, what truly sets the Dimitrescu family apart is the rich and intricate lore surrounding them. Players can uncover Village's mysteries and secrets from this family's past through various mediums, such as trinkets, detailed documents, and the ornate decor that adorns every corner of the castle.

The Dimitrescus' vampiric nature, including their blood-drinking tendencies, adds an extra layer of darkness to their characters. The castle itself becomes a character in its own right, a hauntingly beautiful backdrop that serves as the stage for quite the intense game of hide and seek.

Such meticulous attention to detail has not only elevated Dimitrescus to iconic status but has also left fans clamoring for more, expressing a fervent desire for additional appearances of Lady Dimitrescu in upcoming games. Resident Evil should continue its recent trend of crafting several interconnected villains and bosses with compelling lore, rather than a single indomitable force looming over the player.