Resident Evilis a series that, more than anything, loves to defy traditions and begin anew at any given moment. This has led to a severe lack of closure for its legacy characters, much less a lack of cohesion in its storytelling, but it’s also allowed the franchise to refuse going stale and risk reaching an untimely expiration date. That said,Resident Evilseems committed to its biggest attempt at a dedicated throughline in a while lately viaResident Evil 7andResident Evil VillagewithResident Evil 9expected to follow that throughline. Therefore, becauseVillagesupposedly concluded the Winters family’s saga with Rosemary’s Shadows of Rose DLC, it’s logical to assume thatResident Evil 9would star Chris Redfield in Europe despite what a handful of leaks have suggested recently.
Regardless,Resident Evil’s antagonistshave always been as iconic as its protagonists andResident Evil 7andVillageeven tip the scale in the villains’ favor for once. That’s not to say Ethan is a horrible protagonist, especially after such a gripping twist involving him inVillage, and yet both of the Winters saga games feature some of the franchise’s most charming and haunting antagonists. A new trend seems to be forming where players are met with exceedingly large groups of main villains and, ifResident Evil 9perpetuates it, the ninth entry should be packed with lovable and detestable antagonists galore.
Resident Evil 7’s Baker Family is an Unforgettable Horror Trio
The best character inResident Evil 7is arguably the Baker estate itself. Still, it could’ve felt empty and unintimidating if the family who owned it weren’t as animated and scary as they were. The Bakers—Jack, Marguerite, and Lucas—are all victims of the Mold and assume the sadistic, sinister characteristics ofThe Texas Chain Saw Massacre’s Sawyersin a decrepit home caked with rot.
Jack is a persistent threat who unfailingly respawns; Marguerite transforms into a terrifying insectoid; and Lucas, whose antics lean more towardSaworHostelin their graphic, torturous nature, is essentially a grating maniac. Evelyn is technically the real villain inResident Evil 7, but it’s these three who perfume and sustain the whole seventh mainline installment. IfResident Evil 9is more horror-oriented thanVillage, taking as many notes as possible fromResident Evil 7would be a massive boon.
Resident Evil Village’s Entourage of Villains is as Zany as It is Thrilling
WhileResident Evil 7’s villains are rooted to the Baker estate (regardless of how sweeping and horrifying that Louisiana land is),Resident Evil Villagegiving each of its main antagonists their own distinct regions is a blessing for level design and overall fantastical immersion. Each landscape is a signature of its respective antagonist between Lady Alcina Dimitrescu’s Castle Dimitrescu, Donna Beneviento’s House Beneviento,Salvatore Moreau’s Reservoir, and Karl Heisenberg’s factory, let alone the eponymous village players can explore.
It’s easy to pick favorites of these villains and a big portion of why one character may be favored over another is likely due to the region players explore before they even encounter them. House Beneviento’s Angie boss fight isn’t nearly as engrossing as the eerie, subversive house’s basement level, for instance.
But, not unlikeResident Evil 7,Village’s eccentric villains are compelling and charismatic in every cutscene.Resident Evil 9doesn’t necessarily need another handful of antagonists in order to be as strong narratively, and yet it’s been terrific to see such diversity in personalities and characters. Denying the upcoming ninth mainline installment of multiple villains would mean that its sole protagonist would have unfathomably big shoes to fill, though continuously coming up with highly likeable and memorable villains is surely unenviable, too.
