Soulsborne games are punishing explorations in combat, reflexes and lore from developer, FromSoftware. From Dark Souls to Elden Ring, these games have given players the most rewarding and challenging gaming experiences in recent memory. However, amid the high difficulty level, there's also gothic horror to spare, plus lore to help back up the various grotesque creatures inhabiting each title. As a result of the recent success with Elden Ring, gamers have begun to look at how other iconic franchises could expand and evolve to fit an environment akin to the Soulsborne games, and one that almost immediately came to mind was Resident Evil.
Resident Evil pioneered the survival-horror genre with a story that is filled, top to bottom, with corporate espionage and white-knuckle actions sequences. However, between these experiences are also haunting atmospheres and enemies that are equal to and even more disgusting than the ones seen in the Soulsborne games. For decades the franchise has built a world that has covered many areas and environments worldwide, but has sadly deprived the players from fully exploring them. Therefore, it would be to the franchise's benefit to invest in an open-world setting similar to that of Elden Ring.
Early FromSoftware titles toyed with the idea of open-world exploration when they were introduced with semi-open linear progression systems. Essentially, this meant that players could explore given, limited areas as they progressed through the story. However, the freedom provided existed within parameters that left players with limited room for discovery. That said, everything changed once the games evolved to include a full open world, and the narrative, while still present, serves only as a foundation for players to make their characters and build their own stories. Elden Ring's dangers are just easy enough to overcome but equally punishing, meaning that certain tough bosses are like quests that aren't tied to any story but the player's.
Resident Evil has been in its own stage of evolution since the first game, where players explored the Spencer mansion in a similar sandbox world. However, it wasn't nearly to the extent of what FromSoftware has introduced. The RE franchise has always relied on linear storytelling, but one sign of growth was shown in Resident Evil VII: Biohazard, where protagonist Ethan Winters was forced to explore the swampy land and home of the Baker family. In the game, players were given the option to roam the house and surrounding land teeming with enemies and puzzles that involved backtracking to unlock more story. Another subtle tease to open-world exploration was implemented again in Resident Evil Village. However, something more would be required for the franchise to reach its full potential.
Part of what has made horror so important in open-world titles like Elden Ring is the element of surprise. As players explore a new area, their guard must always be up because dangers and scares could erupt from any corner. The same would also apply to an open-world, or more expanded semi-open world Resident Evil game.
For example, with a city like Raccoon City serving as a map, players would have to outsmart hordes of zombies and special infected by utilizing strategy and resources rather than simply shooting. However, the best resources would be in the riskiest locations. A great example of players being required to strategize would be with a game such as Tom Clancy's The Division. In an environment similar to that, players could approach a challenge in any way. Depending on what the player chooses, their strategy may need to change at a moment's notice.
Similar to how Jack Baker stalked Ethan in RE7, an open-world Resident Evil could have multiple strong enemies akin to Jack or Nemesis that could be alerted to gunfire or loud noises. This would introduce an aspect of Elden Ring's difficulty as bosses could arrive at any time. If implemented, a Resident Evil game that lets players stretch their legs a bit more could be a huge benefit to the franchise's future. Not only could it offer more scares, but it could also inspire developers to expand further and evolve the series to be even more challenging and terrifying than ever before.