Resident Evil 9: The Next Evolution in Survival Horror

The Resident Evil franchise continues to dominate the world of survival horror, and fans are eagerly awaiting the arrival of the next installment — Resident Evil 9. After the massive success of Resident Evil Village, Capcom seems to be gearing up for another chilling experience. From potential storylines to speculated titles like Resident Evil 9: Apocalypse, here’s everything you need to know about the much-anticipated game.

What Is Resident Evil 9?

Resident Evil 9 is expected to be the next mainline entry in Capcom’s legendary horror series. As the ninth major title, it's likely to build upon the narrative of the previous games, particularly Resident Evil 7: Biohazard and Resident Evil Village, which introduced Ethan Winters and a new storyline outside of the classic Raccoon City saga.

A New Chapter in Horror Gaming

Resident Evil 9 may take the franchise into new territory, both narratively and geographically. Rumors suggest it could introduce fresh characters, eerie locations, and a darker, more supernatural tone. With the working title reportedly being Resident Evil 9: Apocalypse, fans are buzzing with theories about what “apocalypse” might hint at in terms of gameplay and plot.

Resident Evil 9 Release Date: What We Know

One of the most asked questions online is: When is the Resident Evil 9 release date?

As of now, Capcom has not officially announced a release date for Resident Evil 9. However, various insider leaks and industry speculation suggest that the game is currently in development and may release as early as late 2025 or early 2026. Given the typical development cycle of major Resident Evil titles, this timeline makes sense — Resident Evil Village was released in 2021, and Capcom often works on a 4-5 year cycle between mainline games.

Early Development Rumors

According to some reliable industry sources, Resident Evil 9 has been in development since at least 2018. These early reports, combined with Capcom’s consistent push for annual releases (including remakes and spin-offs), hint that the next major installment is closer than we think.

Resident Evil 9: Apocalypse – Is This the Final Title?

Many fans believe the upcoming title will be called Resident Evil 9: Apocalypse, based on leaks from credible sources and internal Capcom documentation. While the title hasn’t been confirmed officially, it aligns with the thematic evolution of the series — from viruses and bioterrorism to more apocalyptic and supernatural threats.

What Could “Apocalypse” Mean?

The word “Apocalypse” implies a cataclysmic event or the end of the world — a fitting direction if the game plans to scale up from the isolated horrors of Resident Evil Village. This could involve:

• A global outbreak of a new bioweapon

• The fall of major cities

• Supernatural enemies influenced by viruses

• A darker, more psychological tone

The title may also symbolize the conclusion of the storyline that began with Resident Evil 7, possibly wrapping up the Ethan Winters arc — or introducing a brand-new protagonist.

Expected Gameplay and Features

While no official gameplay footage of Resident Evil 9 has been released, fans and insiders have speculated about several potential features.

First-Person or Third-Person?

Resident Evil 7 and Village used a first-person perspective, which significantly increased the horror element. Some rumors suggest Resident Evil 9 will continue this trend, while others say it may return to a third-person view like the remakes of Resident Evil 2 and 4. A hybrid system could be possible, giving players the option to switch perspectives.

Open World and Exploration

Another exciting rumor is the potential for open-world exploration. Resident Evil Village introduced semi-open areas with exploration, and Capcom may expand on this by making Resident Evil 9 a fully open-world game, possibly set in a remote village or crumbling city overtaken by bio-mutants.

AI Improvements and Enemy Variety

Capcom is expected to improve enemy AI and introduce more diverse enemies, including new types of mutated creatures, smarter enemies, and possibly even supernatural foes—especially if “Apocalypse” involves elements beyond science.

Will Familiar Faces Return?

With each new Resident Evil installment, fans eagerly hope for the return of iconic characters like Leon S. Kennedy, Chris Redfield, or Jill Valentine. While Resident Evil 9 might introduce a new lead, some leaks have hinted that Chris Redfield may play a supporting role, continuing from his appearance in Village.

Ethan Winters: Will He Return?

Spoiler alert for Resident Evil Village — Ethan’s fate was left ambiguous. While many believe his story ended in Village, Resident Evil 9 may surprise us with flashbacks, new revelations, or even his return.

Resident Evil 9 Will Redefine Horror Again

Though Capcom has kept things under wraps, it’s clear that Resident Evil 9 is going to be one of the most talked-about and anticipated horror games of the coming years. Whether it ends up being called Resident Evil 9: Apocalypse or something else entirely, the franchise’s legacy ensures that fans are in for a terrifying and thrilling ride.

Stay tuned as we await more updates, trailers, and an official Resident Evil 9 release date.

Norman Reedus May Have Filmed His Last Scene as Daryl Dixon—But Will He Really Say Goodbye?

When Norman Reedus made his The Walking Dead debut in 2010, he was known mostly for The Boondock Saints over a decade prior. His role in the zombie apocalypse was intended as a supporting one, not having any basis in Robert Kirkman's original comic series. Thanks largely to Reedus' portrayal, however, Daryl organically transformed into one of 

The Walking Dead's most popular survivors.

Daryl became more prominent as the seasons progressed, then even more so following the departure of Andrew Lincoln in The Walking Dead season 9. Reedus went on to star in his own spinoff, 

Daryl Dixon, which has aired three seasons so far with a fourth on the way. Sadly, after 15 years of plucking crossbow bolts from the heads of the undead, Reedus could be leaving Daryl behind.

No Further The Walking Dead Projects Featuring Norman Reedus Have Been Confirmed

On November 20, 2025, Norman Reedus posted a tribute to his last day filming on Daryl Dixon season 4. Not only is season 4 confirmed as the last run of Reedus' spinoff, it's one of only two 

The Walking Dead shows left standing, with Dead City season 3 also in the pipeline.

The Walking Dead's future beyond those two releases remains murky, and with Daryl highly unlikely to show up in New York with Maggie and Negan, it does appear that - on paper, at least - Norman Reedus has shot his final moments as Daryl Dixon.

Reedus' tweet certainly feels a little stronger than the usual end-of-season-filming post. His emotional acknowledgment of playing the character for so long, combined with the heartfelt expression of gratitude, could easily be interpreted as a final farewell to Daryl Dixon.

What Needs To Happen In Daryl Dixon Season 4 To End Daryl's Story

For Daryl Dixon season 4 to end Reedus' time on The Walking Dead properly, several things need to happen. First and foremost, Daryl and Carol need to finally escape Europe and make their way back to their friends in Alexandria and the Commonwealth. Given how frustratingly close they came at the end of 

Daryl Dixon season 3, this is all but guaranteed to happen next time around.

Daryl Dixon's ending should, if possible, make space for one final appearance from Louis Puech Scigliuzzi as Laurent. The audience still needs confirmation that he and Ash reached the United States safely, but seeing Daryl and Laurent together would bring emotional closure to their father-son bond too.

Slightly less plausibly, Daryl Dixon season 4 would need the long-awaited reunion between Andrew Lincoln's Rick Grimes and Norman Reedus' Daryl. After the dedication Daryl showed searching for Rick, he deserves to see his faith repaid, and viewers deserve to see the moment onscreen.

Daryl Dixon has largely ignored the teased romance between Daryl and Connie from the final seasons of The Walking Dead, setting Reedus' character up with another love interest instead. Given how abruptly the plot was abandoned, it would be hugely satisfying if 

Daryl Dixon season 4 ended with just a small hint that Daryl and Connie could rekindle their spark.

If Daryl Dixon's final episodes can deliver all of these elements, maybe Norman Reedus really has filmed his last scenes in 

The Walking Dead.

Why Daryl Dixon Season 4 Likely WON'T Be The Last Time We See Norman Reedus In The Walking Dead

While Norman Reedus' tweet certainly can be interpreted as the actor drawing a line under Daryl Dixon, it tellingly stops short of saying so explicitly. Even if no further projects have been announced, Reedus seems to leave the door open for Daryl's return after his spinoff concludes - a sentiment he echoed during a 

Variety interview back in July 2025.

And, looking at the broader landscape of The Walking Dead, Daryl Dixon does indeed have more work to do.

It may be possible for 

Daryl Dixon season 4 to close out Daryl's personal arc, but The Walking Dead has storylines laid out for years to come. Variants, the teased virus origin, Designation 2, PPP, and the 14-year limit on humanity's lifespan are the biggest unresolved angles right now, and given that most of them have far-reaching consequences, they're stories best-suited for either The Walking Dead season 12 or a franchise crossover.

The crossover conversation has been rumbling for several years now, with The Walking Dead chief Scott M. Gimple openly showing interest in the idea. The Walking Dead is still bursting at the seams with areas to explore, and Daryl's enduring popularity makes his participation in that exciting future non-negotiable. A Walking Dead crossover without Norman Reedus wouldn't be much of a crossover at all.

As long as that option remains on the table, Norman Reedus will likely have more scenes to film as Daryl Dixon in The Walking Dead's ever-expanding universe.

Sources: Variety

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