Resident Evil 9 may have yet to be fully revealed, but rumors and leaks have been trickling out for months now. Of course, every leak and claim that revolves around Resident Evil 9 should be taken with a grain of salt before being officially confirmed by Capcom, but reports have suggested some exciting things that hopefully become reality.

From leaks claiming that Jill and Leon could be set to make a return to a potential intelligent zombie race that worships the moon, the next entry in the Resident Evil series could be a major shake-up. However, one of the most compelling reports suggests a huge departure from the usual franchise formula. If these leaks are true, then Resident Evil 9 might be open world. While such a change would be intriguing, it also means the next game may have a hard time outdoing one of its predecessor's most terrifying levels.

Resident Evil 9's Rumored Open World May Struggle One-Upping House Beneviento

A Claustrophobic Fright Fest

Resident Evil's usual linear path has become a staple of the franchise, so a switch to an open world raises plenty of questions about how Capcom would go about making such a change. One of the biggest concerns, though, is regarding how an open-world environment can still pull off the same level of scares as previous entries. Making an open-world Resident Evil work is not impossible, but it could present tougher challenges when it comes to environmental storytelling. House Beneviento in Resident Evil Village is a perfect example of how the series excels at this type of tension-building.

There are plenty of moments in Village that will make one's palms sweat, but House Beneviento may take the cake as one of the most heart-pounding sequences in the whole game. Donna Beneviento's mansion sits nestled in the corner of the village up in the snowy mountains, and for players who don't like tight quarters, this level is especially grueling. The narrow corridors and dimly lit areas make House Beneviento a claustrophobic nightmare filled with dolls and hallucinations. This entire sequence comes to a climax when players are greeted by one of Resident Evil's most terrifying creatures to date; a giant mutated baby that slithers around the dark hallways.

Capcom has confirmed that Koshi Nakanishi, the director of Resident Evil 7, is returning to direct Resident Evil 9.

The encounter is one of Village's most shocking moments, and players have to act fast within the confines of the cramped mansion. So, if Resident Evil 9 truly does feature an open world, replicating a moment so sweat-inducing may not be possible. The ability to travel freely around the map could run the risk of eliminating the urgency Resident Evil's linear-level design creates.

The Wait For Official Resident Evil 9 News Continues

As of now, all that is concretely known about Resident Evil 9 is that it is currently in development. The franchise has made bold changes in the past, like Resident Evil 7 and Village opting for a first-person perspective. However, this change enhanced many of the scares, while an open world may diminish the effectiveness of such moments.

Zach Cregger, the director of the horror title Barbarian, is set to reboot the Resident Evil film franchise.

It remains to be seen if these claims regarding an open-world design are true or false, but Capcom will hopefully offer more insight later this year. Village is coming up on its fourth anniversary, and many Resident Evil fans are hoping for good news about the next installment. As the year continues, more rumors and leaks are bound to pop up, and if Resident Evil 9 happens to be open world, the scares will hopefully be next-level.