Resident Evil 9: Time for a Break from a Stagnant Horror Tradition

The Resident Evil franchise has been around long enough that many of its recurring elements have become predictable. While this has often played to the series' advantage, allowing Capcom to reuse iconic assets and blend new mechanics seamlessly into each entry, certain trends are becoming overly familiar. One such trend—pursuer enemies—may need to take a backseat in Resident Evil 9 unless there's a truly fresh approach on the horizon. While some gameplay innovations, like the parry mechanic in the Resident Evil 4 remake, have been well-received, the pursuer enemy trope is in danger of becoming stale, given how often it has been used in recent titles.

Since the Resident Evil 2 remake five years ago, a relentless pursuer enemy has become a recurring feature in nearly every Resident Evil game and remake, and this overuse has diminished its once terrifying impact. For Resident Evil 9 to stand out, it may be time for Capcom to put this element aside unless they can deliver an experience that feels genuinely new and thrilling.

The Rise and Decline of the Pursuer Enemy in Resident Evil

Pursuer enemies have long been a staple of the Resident Evil series, and they vary in effectiveness from game to game. The Resident Evil 2 remake reintroduced the trench coat-wearing Mr. X, a stalker who sparked fresh anxiety among players. This successful revival inspired similar mechanics in Resident Evil 3's remake, Resident Evil 7, Resident Evil Village, and Resident Evil 4's remake. However, none of these pursuers have quite matched the terrifying presence of Mr. X, making the formula feel worn out through repetition.

For instance, Nemesis, the iconic pursuer from Resident Evil 3, was once one of the series' most feared enemies. In the original game, he earned the nickname "The Pursuer" due to his relentless hunt for the player. However, the heavily scripted Nemesis in the Resident Evil 3 remake lacks the same sense of urgency and threat, leaving some fans feeling that the character has lost the edge he had over two decades ago.

Why the Pursuer Formula Needs a Rest

In Resident Evil Village, Lady Dimitrescu, while an imposing figure, never feels as dangerous or unpredictable as Mr. X. Likewise, in Resident Evil 7, Jack and Marguerite Baker can be avoided or tricked more easily than the player might expect. Their patrol routes are suspenseful, but it's often the claustrophobic layout of the Baker estate that provides the tension, not the pursuer enemies themselves.

On the other hand, Resident Evil Village's Shadows of Rose DLC offered one of the more effective and terrifying pursuer sequences in recent memory. Players are stalked by life-sized dolls resembling Mia, who only move toward you when your back is turned, evoking genuine fear. However, this stands as an exception in a trend where most modern Resident Evil pursuers lack the scare factor they once had.

Even the remake of Resident Evil 4, which is more action-oriented, includes a nod to the pursuer formula. Players face a Verdugo in a claustrophobic corridor, and there's also a scripted scene where Mendez chases you with a mob of ganados. These moments suggest that Capcom is determined to keep the pursuer element alive, despite its diminishing returns.

Time for Resident Evil to Explore New Territory

It’s clear that the pursuer enemy trope has become a standard feature in Resident Evil games since the Resident Evil 2 remake. However, as Capcom continues to rely on this formula, the once frightening enemy type has lost much of its impact. Not every pursuer in recent games has been executed as effectively as Mr. X, and many of these encounters feel more like obligatory set-pieces than genuinely tense moments.

For Resident Evil 9 to truly innovate, Capcom should consider shelving the pursuer mechanic and exploring new gameplay ideas. The series has always excelled at blending survival horror with action, and there’s plenty of room for fresh and engaging experiences that don’t rely on familiar tropes. By letting go of the oversaturated pursuer tradition, the next installment can introduce more original threats, environments, and challenges that will keep players on edge in ways they haven't experienced before.