Resident Evil 9: Leaks, Rumors & What to Expect from Capcom's Nightmare

Last Updated: October 22, 2025

The Winters family saga has drawn to a close, but the world of Resident Evil is far from safe. As the dust settled on the haunting events of Village, Capcom has been quietly crafting the next mainline chapter in its legendary survival horror franchise, tentatively known to the world as Resident Evil 9. While official details remain locked away in a puzzle-box deep within Capcom's R&D, a steady stream of credible leaks and insider reports has painted a tantalizing and terrifying picture of what's to come.

Forget what you thought you knew. We're sifting through the noise to bring you the most authoritative, up-to-date analysis on the game that aims to be a closing chapter for series veterans and a bold new direction for the franchise. From its rumored open-world design to the potential return of iconic heroes, this is everything we know about the next symphony of fear.

The End of an Era: A New World of Horror

Every recent Resident Evil title has carved its own niche of terror. Resident Evil 7: Biohazard dragged players into the claustrophobic nightmare of the Baker estate, while Resident Evil Village expanded the scope with a gothic, monster-mash bestiary. So, where does the series go next?

According to prominent industry insider Dusk Golem, Resident Evil 9 is set to be the most ambitious entry yet, both in terms of narrative and technology. Development reportedly began in 2018, and the game is being built on the powerful RE Engine, with rumors suggesting it will boast the largest budget in the series' history. The most significant rumored change is a shift to an open-world or semi-open-world structure. This would be a monumental evolution, moving the series away from the curated corridors and hub worlds of the past into a seamless, expansive landscape of dread.

The setting is rumored to be a fictional rural island in Southeast Asia, inspired by locations like Singapore, which would introduce entirely new environmental threats and a fresh cultural backdrop for the bio-organic horrors we've come to expect. Narratively, insiders suggest Resident Evil 9 is being developed to "close out" the current story arc and serve as a concluding chapter for several long-running plot threads, setting the stage for a new era of Resident Evil.

The Return of a Legend: Who is the Protagonist?

While Ethan Winters' story is complete, the fight against bioweaponry is not. The most persistent rumor is that Resident Evil 9 will see the return of one of the series' most beloved characters: Leon S. Kennedy. Leaks suggest we will be playing as an older, more world-weary Leon, potentially around 48 years old, placing the game's events in the present day (circa 2025). This would be his first leading role in a new, mainline title since Resident Evil 6, and his appearance in the RE4 remake has only fueled fan desire to see his story continue.

This older Leon is said to be grappling with the immense physical and psychological toll of his long career fighting bioterrorism. The story may force him into a vulnerable position at the outset, stripping him of his usual confidence and skills, making for a compelling character arc. While Leon is the central name in the rumor mill, other reports have suggested that legacy characters like Jill Valentine could also play a significant role, potentially even as a dual protagonist. After the post-credits scene of Resident Evil: Village showed a grown-up Rose Winters and the BSAA's questionable use of bioweapon soldiers, the stage is set for veteran agents to be pulled back into the fray to confront a world where the lines between friend and foe are dangerously blurred.

A New Chapter: Where the Story Goes From Here

With the Winters saga concluded, Resident Evil 9 is positioned to pivot back to the series' core lore. The shocking revelation at the end of Village—that the Bioterrorism Security Assessment Alliance (BSAA) was deploying its own bioweapons—left a massive cliffhanger that the next installment must address. This conflict will likely be central to the plot, pulling in legacy characters who have dedicated their lives to eradicating such threats, not sanctioning their use.

The narrative is expected to be a direct sequel to the events of Village, tackling the fallout of that ending and wrapping up plot points that have been dangling for over two decades. As a potential "final chapter" for the numbered series as we know it, Resident Evil 9 carries the weight of immense fan expectations. Capcom seems poised to deliver a conclusive, high-stakes story that honors the past while carving a terrifying new path forward.

Innovating Terror: Gameplay and Engine

A shift to an open-world format would fundamentally change the Resident Evil gameplay loop. Instead of linear progression, players might find themselves navigating a large map, undertaking missions, discovering hidden horrors in remote locations, and dealing with dynamic enemy encounters. This structure could blend the tense resource management of classic RE with the emergent gameplay possibilities of a modern open-world title.

Capcom has become a master of its proprietary RE Engine, and Resident Evil 9 is expected to be a visual and technical showcase for current-generation hardware. We can anticipate stunningly detailed environments, horrifyingly realistic creature designs, and advanced lighting and sound design to create an unparalleled atmosphere of dread. Whether the game will retain the first-person perspective of RE7 and Village, return to the third-person view of the recent remakes, or perhaps offer players a choice, remains one of the biggest unanswered questions.

The Road Ahead

While an official announcement is still pending, the consensus among insiders points to a potential reveal in late 2024 or early 2025, with a target release window of late 2025 or 2026. Resident Evil 9 is expected to be a current-generation exclusive, launching on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

The evidence points to a game that isn't just another sequel, but a climactic and transformative event for the Resident Evil universe. By reportedly blending a bold open-world design with the return of an iconic hero and a narrative that promises to tie up loose ends, Capcom is preparing what could be its darkest and most ambitious symphony yet. The wait may be agonizing, but all signs indicate that a new nightmare, grander than any before, is looming on the horizon.