Resident Evilis one ofthevideo game franchises. Even without all of the movies and TV shows over the years, it claimed its spot as the titular beginnings of the survival horror genre as the world knows it, with intense gameplay, resource management, and horrifically goopy enemies.
Myself and the Resident Evil series are only two years apart in age, so we’ve grown up alongside each other. You’d think I’d have at least played the age-appropriate ones (not that I’d be dipping into the games before I could walk or talk), but instead, I have this strange, parasocial dynamic with the series. I’ve watched almost every game, courtesy of RKG Video on YouTube, but I’ve only ever played a bit of theResident Evil 4 Remakemyself, and never bothered to finish its final chapters.
So whenRE9 - fully titled Resident Evil Requiem- was announced at Summer Game Fest, I was on board with the hype. It looks incredible, a return to a decimated Raccoon City years after the events ofRE2and3. But I just don’t know if I’ll play it. I want to. But I don’t.
As Someone Who Talks About Games For A Living, I Want To Play It
I’m more invested in the series now than I’ve ever been, and the idea of a new character plus an older Leon Kennedy potentially returning to the long-since-bombed Raccoon City for whatever goopy monsters will show up this time sounds particularly exciting. It looks like we have a gripping new narrative, a fresh take on the setting, and plenty of nostalgic callbacks.
DLC set in Spencer Mansion, perhaps?
Paired with the fact that we can switch betweenRE7and8’sfirst-person perspective and the Remakes’ third-person - something that was only added to RE8 post-launch - gives more freedom in how you’re able to enjoy the experience. I want to dive in, first-hand, and immerse myself in everything RE9 has to offer.
But As Someone Who’s Experienced The Series From Afar, I Want To Watch It Instead
On the other hand, this isn’t a series that I play, and so I’m not sure if I should even try. Would I have a better experience waiting for RKG to play it on their Spookies series? Honestly, that might be the better option, but at the same time, I’ll watch it regardless of whether I’ve already played it myself or not.
But I can only experience the game for the first time once, and that’s where I’m conflicted. Each Resident Evil that I’ve experienced has been through external means. Was my disinterest in finishing RE4 Remake because of the lack of unexpectedness, or because I just don’t enjoy playing the games as much as watching them?
I’m going to have to make that call as we approach February and Requiem dawns upon us. Do I play it and potentially fall off, or do I wait to watch it and potentially regret not experiencing it for myself?Oh, the difficulties I face.
