If rumors aboutResident Evil 9’s story, setting, and characters turn out to be true, then the upcoming sequel could use these as inspiration to combine one of the series' most iconic monsters with its more recent mold biohazard. With anticipation already building ahead of the next game in the long-runningResident Evilseries, it is unsurprising that leaks and rumors have started circulating about the likes of its returning characters, potential story, and where the game will be set. Should these rumors be credible with characters like Jill and Leon making a comeback,Resident Evil 9could also see the return of a classic series monster.
Having first debuted in 1998’sResident Evil 2and more recently appeared in the remake ofResident Evil 3in 2020, the Licker is amongResident Evil’s most iconic enemiesalongside the likes of Nemesis and Regenerators. However, despite this, the Licker has yet to feature in any of the recentResident Evilgames following the Megamycete storyline that began withResident Evil 7: Biohazard. Given that rumors hint thatResident Evil 9will both continue and potentially conclude this ongoing narrative, the upcoming game will be the last chance to create a terrifying mold alternative to the series' classic Licker.
Resident Evil 9 Rumors Could Help Inspire the Licker’s Return
Thoughall rumors aboutResident Evil 9should be taken with a pinch of salt, some potential leaks about the upcoming game have a decent probability of being true, such as Chris Redfield’s or Rosemary Winters' possible roles as protagonists after their appearances inResident Evil Villageand its DLC. Among these details, rumors about other classic characters returning, an island setting off the coast of Singapore, and more exploration into the story of Eveline andResident Evil 7’s Mold could prove most interesting. More specifically, these rumors, in combination with one another, could inspire and help pave the way for the Licker to return.
A Molded Licker Hybrid Would be Perfect for Resident Evil 9
WhileResident Evil 7established monsters like the Molded when adding its Mold alongside other viruses throughout the series,Resident Evil Villageexpanded the Mold’s range of creatures through the Cadou parasites and the Megamycete. But with the likes ofResident Evil Village’s Lycans and Moroaica or evenResident Evil 4’s Ganados acting as possible parallels to the series' classic zombie, the iconic Licker has yet to return in this most recent narrative, either as itself or as a Molded variant. However, with the potential the Licker has forResident Evil 7’s newfound first-person gameplaywith stealth and combat,Resident Evil 9ought to capitalize on this.
With players reacquainted with Lickers thanks to recentResident Evilremakes,Resident Evil 9could carry over the Lickers' existing behaviors, like listening and attack patterns, with adaptations to the game’s rumored first-person open-world design. Then, drawing inspiration from past monster designs like the organic visuals ofResident Evil 7’s Molded and the inhuman science and technology ofResident Evil Village’s Soldats, the Lickers' iconic features such as an exposed brain, tongue, and blindness could have Molded and augmented variations. ShouldResident Evil 9potentially be the Mold’s last game, it may be the only chance for players to experience a Molded Licker.
A Molded Licker in Resident Evil 9 Could Pull Inspiration From Elsewhere
PastResident Evilgames have always sought inspiration for monsters from across entertainment and culture, such asResident Evil 3: Nemesis' Director Kazuhiro Aoyama claiming to have been influenced byDay of the Deadwhen creating its titular Nemesis villain. Should the Licker return as a Molded variant alongside otherclassic protagonists rumored forResident Evil 9, Capcom could take inspiration for its new design from Japanese mythology surrounding yokai, specifically with the Akaname or “filth-licker.” GivenResident Evil 9’s rumored island setting with derelict rural locations, a Molded Licker based on the likes of the Akaname would be perfect for the game’s backdrop and Megamycete lore.
Resident Evil Village
Experience survival horror like never before in the eighth major installment in the storied Resident Evil franchise - Resident Evil Village.Set a few years after the horrifying events in the critically acclaimed Resident Evil 7 biohazard, the all-new storyline begins with Ethan Winters and his wife Mia living peacefully in a new location, free from their past nightmares. Just as they are building their new life together, tragedy befalls them once again.First-Person Action – Players will assume the role of Ethan Winters and experience every up-close battle and terrifying pursuit through a first-person perspective.Familiar Faces and New Foes – Chris Redfield has typically been a hero in the Resident Evil series, but his appearance in Resident Evil Village seemingly shrouds him in sinister motives. A host of new adversaries inhabiting the village will relentlessly hunt Ethan and hinder his every move as he attempts to make sense of the new nightmare he finds himself in.
