Editor’s Note: The above image was created by Biohazard Declassified as an example, and is not part of the leaked information.
Biohazard Declassified have shared new supposed leaks of the allegedly upcoming Resident Evil 8.
In our prior coverage, the rumors stated that Capcom’s development of Resident Evil: Revelations 3 was so well received internally, that the game is being reworked as Resident Evil 8.
While some older rumors may no longer be applicable (such as Ethan Winters from Resident Evil 7 and Chris Redfield originally being planned for the game, but later being “changed”), certain elements of an older build may have.
One leaker described how the game would have themes of hallucinations and occultism, and described a scene of beastmen or werewolves and a “witch”. This would match with older rumors claiming the game had wolf-like creatures, and a persistent “female” enemy.
The game was also said (at least at some point) to take place in a snowy mountain village and a castle.
The Rumor
Now, Biohazard Declassified have reported on an anonymous leak with more information. The leaker appears to be someone who has provided them information of Resident Evil 8 before.
First, the game will be called Resident Evil VIII: Village- or rather Resident Evil VIIIage, combining the roman numeral of 8 with the word village. This would match the “clever title” referred to in the prior rumors.
Once again the Witch is confirmed to be something that can control insects, and dissipates into them when defeated. She also has a distinctive laugh. This would match how leaker Dusk Golem described the Witch.
The leaker also states Chris Redfield will be (in Biohazard Declassified’s words) “an integral part” of Resident Evil 8.
“He appears in flashbacks surrounding Ethan, Mia, and apparently their baby. What this baby has to do with the narrative is as of yet unclear. That being said, Chris doesn’t seem to be looking very heroic this time around. It appears that in a flashback sequence Chris can be seen shooting one of them while breaking into their home.
So has Chris gone deep cover, or has all of the years staring into the abyss finally caught up with him?”
The leaker also described that Chris has a different appearance to help (in Biohazard Declassified’s words) “bridge the gap between the original, burly Chris and the newer, slimmer one” seen in Resident Evil 7.
Biohazard Declassified then describes Ethan, but this sounds more like speculation than comments from the leaker (“This is just me thinking out loud”). The European setting and first person camera (the latter of which was stated by Dusk Golem) were also supported by the leaker.
Capcom are also allegedly experimenting with inventory management akin to past games, along with the leaker suggesting “suggests that they are testing both a Resident Evil 7 style UI alongside a Resident Evil 4 style.”
The leaker also reiterates the information on hallucinations, with Biohazard Declassified implying this may be used for NPCs other than enemies. “These hallucinations will likely make it hard for you to discern what’s real and what isn’t and more importantly… Who to trust.”
The game is also stated to launch Q1 of 2021. Combined with past rumors of the game being cross-generational, that would match with the PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X Holidays 2020 release date.
Is it True?
Along with our previous analysis, the claim that Chris will be involved with the game does give us a theory.
In Resident Evil 2 (2019), Chris sends a letter to his friends in S.T.A.R.S., clearly containing coded references to his investigation into the Umbrella Corporation.
It reads as follows.
“To my bestest S.T.A.R.S. buds,
How are you all doing in that drab, old station? Hanging in there against old Irons? Me? I just got back from a date with a hot chick. Bet you can guess what we got up to under her extra-large umbrella.
Europe is amazing. One month is in no way enough to even scratch the surface. Maybe I’ll extend my vacation for another six months.
Barry, don’t you even think of coming to join me. Wouldn’t want to make all the cute girls cry, yeah? So you just leave the babes to me.
Jill, if Claire tries to contact you, please let her know I’m OK.”
(Via Resident Evil Fandom Wiki)
In the original Resident Evil 2, Chris was investigating the Umbrella Corporation’s HQ in Europe (prior to the events of Resident Evil CODE: Veronica).
As covered in our previous article, an early build of Resident Evil 4 (which also had hallucinations) had Leon S. Kennedy being involved in a raid on the castle of Dr. Oswell E. Spencer, one of the founders of Umbrella Pharmaceuticals (a European company which would become the Umbrella Corporation).
It could be that in Resident Evil 8, Chris Redfield is investigating Umbrella Pharmaceuticals’ origin in Europe, or the Umbrella Corporation’s headquarters (or other major site) in Europe.
The “hot chick” Chris refers to in his letter may even be the Witch (out of an ironic joke, rather than a coded message). If this is something more, it is more likely to be a woman within Umbrella.
Then again, it is unlikely the events of Resident Evil 8 will take place during or prior to the events of Resident Evil 2. If the game is utilizing themes of not knowing who to trust, an older Chris Redfield with more emotional baggage could be more exploited by hallucinations (both as a player character, and an NPC).
While there was a remake of the first Resident Evil game in 2002, the recent remakes of Resident Evil 2 and 3 have given most of the major Resident Evil characters an appearance. Jill Valentine, Leon S. Kennedy, and Claire Redfield have all been playable.
Bringing back Chris alongside Ethan would help bring the timeline and events of Resident Evil 7 into the larger Resident Evil lore, and lore of the classic games.
The “changes” Chris and Ethan allegedly went under are also now explained. Rather than reworking them into new characters, it appears this change was to the game’s story and their appearance. This would match with the idea of this information coming from playtesters, who may have been unsatisfied with how Chris looked.
The idea of what this game could be like is starting to take shape, with more ideas about where a development team could take it. There is a slim chance this is all an elaborate game by a dedicated leaker masquerading as different people, but a new Resident Evil game on the heels of two remakes would not be the worst idea Capcom have had.
With the game supposedly releasing in Q1 2021, the ongoing coronavirus pandemic causing great hindrances to businesses of all kinds, and the game still sounding early in development- the idea of us getting even a teaser announcement any time soon is doubtful.
