Virtually nothing has been revealed about the highly anticipatedResident Evil 9, but that hasn’t stopped fans of the franchise from speculating about it. On top of online brainstorming sessions and general wishful thinking, there have been a few alleged leaks and rumors that hint atResident Evil 9’s possible story and gameplay elements, painting a blurry picture of the future of the franchise.
Resident Evilhas been on a tear lately.Resident Evil 3’s remake got a lukewarm reception, but essentially every otherREgame sinceResident Evil 7has been met with glowing reviews and commercial success. This spate of hit titles has been composed of both new entries and ambitious remakes, with the latter forming the majority of the series' modern output. The result of this back-and-forth is a rather interesting franchise culture and legacy, as audiences are regularly reminded of the likes of Leon Kennedy and Jill Valentine, despite them not being directly involved in the currently developing plot of the series. This might not be the case for much longer, though, as rumors have suggested thatRE9will be bringing back these older characters, which should have implications beyond just them.
If Leon Kennedy Returns in Resident Evil 9, Ada Wong Needs to Join Him
It’s Been a While Since Resident Evil Touched On Ada
Ada Wong last appeared inthe protagonist-packedResident Evil 6, where she had a bit of a walking-into-the-sunset moment, washing her hands of the current conflict and embarking on another job, shrouded in mystery. It’s not clear whether Capcom was ever planning to do something with this enigmatic mission or if it was simply included to underscore Ada’s cool professionalism, but either way, it suggests that she is still active following the events ofResident Evil 6.
Depending onwhenResident Evil 9takes place, Ada and the other legacy characters could all be approaching or well into their fifties.
With Ada presumably still an agent for the Chinese government, there’s plenty of potential for her to return in a futureREgame. Moreover, her connection with Leon would serve as the perfect excuse to bring her back into the fray.
Resident Evil 9 Could Offer Closure for Leon and Ada’s Relationship
WhileEthan and Mia Winters areResident Evil’s predominant couple, the franchise is mostly devoid of romantic subplots—Ethan and Mia’s relationship is more about family and duty than butterflies in the stomach. The exception to this would be Leon and Ada, who have had an explicitly romantic, albeit fleeting and tumultuous, relationship throughout the franchise. From their very first encounter inRE2, Leon and Ada have had some sort of romantic connection, even sharing a kiss near the end of the story. Their dynamic also has strong flirtatious undertones inResident Evil 4andResident Evil 6.
AssumingResident Evil 9takes place afterShadows of Rose, these star-crossed lovers would be middle-aged—long past the age of schoolyard crushes and touch-and-go flirting. They also may not have too many more high-stakes missions left in them: a lifetime of zombie fighting probably takes its toll on the body, after all. In light of this,Resident Evil 9bringing back Ada could allow for some closure regarding her relationship with Leon, as well as her career as a spy. They don’t have to spend the end credits walking down the aisle, but putting a bow on their decades-long dynamic could result in better character development for both parties. And with a new generation of gamers falling in love with Ada thanks to the remakes, there certainly wouldn’t be a lack of demand for her appearance comeRE9.
Resident Evil 4
WHERE TO PLAY
Survival is just the beginning.Six years have passed since the biological disaster in Raccoon City.Agent Leon S. Kennedy, one of the survivors of the incident, has been sent to rescue the president’s kidnapped daughter. He tracks her to a secluded European village, where there is something terribly wrong with the locals.And the curtain rises on this story of daring rescue and grueling horror where life and death, terror and catharsis intersect.Featuring modernized gameplay, a reimagined storyline, and vividly detailed graphics, Resident Evil 4 marks the rebirth of an industry juggernaut.Relive the nightmare that revolutionized survival horror.
