If RE9 Has a Second Protagonist, It Should Study One Game Closely

Resident Evil Requiem turned out to be one of the most exciting announcements at Summer Game Fest. The long-awaited ninth mainline chapter in the Resident Evil franchise is taking some compelling risks with its story, and one of them is the introduction of another brand-new protagonist. Ethan Winters led the last two entries, and Grace Ashcroft is now taking on the lead role in Resident Evil Requiem.

Right now, there isn’t a lot known about Grace. Based on the trailer, it’s clear that she works as an analyst for the FBI and is the daughter of the now-deceased Alyssa Ashcroft. Grace is already a promising new lead, but that hasn’t stopped rumors from already suggesting that she isn’t the only main character set to tell Resident Evil Requiem‘s story. If Resident Evil Requiem actually has a second playable character, then Capcom may find inspiration from another horror title: The Last of Us Part 2.

Resident Evil Requiem Psychological Horror New Ground

Resident Evil Requiem is Finally Diving into Uncharted Territory for the Franchise

With the next Resident Evil title revealed, RE Requiem looks to be exploring some horror ground that the series hasn’t truly delved into yet.

The Last of Us Part 2’s Ellie and Abby Could Inspire Resident Evil Requiem’s Rumored Dual Protagonists

It’s important to remember that Capcom hasn’t clearly confirmed whether Resident Evil Requiem will have two or more protagonists or not. However, if the rumors prove to be true, then The Last of Us Part 2 is a perfect example of how to approach multiple protagonists. The Last of Us‘ Ellie and Abby are two incredibly different characters, and this is portrayed even further through how they are played.

Ellie and Abby’s Traits Are Further Shown Through Their Mechanics

Ellie is smaller and more wiry, while Abby is taller and more muscular. This makes Ellie move around a lot more quickly, while Abby is far more centered around brute strength. Not only are their fighting styles incredibly different, but the varying level designs also boast unique identities that make the differences clearer. The Last of Us Part 2‘s combat balance is one of its strongest features, and Resident Evil Requiem could learn important lessons in how to portray two different characters.

Resident Evil is No Stranger to Multiple Protagonists

The Resident Evil franchise has been built on plenty of games that feature multiple playable characters, but there is still room for improvement. Switching between Leon and Claire in RE2 feels different, particularly with different weapons that are unique to them, but it could be taken further. The Last of Us Part 2 makes its differences feel stark, and that could help make Resident Evil Requiem‘s gameplay feel far more dynamic, if the game does indeed have multiple protagonists.

Past Resident Evil Requiem Leaks Could Hint at Other Characters

Previous leaks suggested that Jill Valentine and Leon S. Kennedy would be returning for the next game.

Of course, all leaks and rumors should be taken with a heavy grain of salt, but if true, then Resident Evil Requiem could feature either a fun main character duo or trio. From early footage, Grace appears to be far more intellectually gifted than effective in combat. It’s easy to imagine a scenario where Grace is played during more psychological, puzzle-focused parts, while Resident Evil‘s Leon or Jill take on more action-oriented scenes.

This is purely speculation, but it’s still a possibility to consider until Capcom reveals more information. As the wait for Resident Evil Requiem continues, there will hopefully be more information revealed later in the year, but until then, it’s thrilling to finally know even a little bit more about the next Resident Evil chapter on the horizon.