Hideki Kamiya Envisions a Cosy Take on Resident Evil

Hideki Kamiya, known for his extensive work on the Resident Evil franchise, including his role as a designer on the original game and director of Resident Evil 2, has made a surprising revelation about his vision for the series. Despite his pivotal contributions to the horror genre, Kamiya admits he isn't particularly fond of horror games. Recently, he expressed interest in a "non-scary mode" for Resident Evil, indicating that he has little desire to return to the franchise in its traditional form.

In a playful response to a fan's request for a new game featuring Leon and Claire, Kamiya shared an intriguing concept for a different kind of Resident Evil experience. He imagines a cozy game where a retired Leon takes on a more tranquil lifestyle. His vision includes activities such as fishing in the countryside, foraging for wild vegetables, baking bread and tending to a home garden. "If I made it, it’d turn into a game where retired Leon goes fishing in the countryside, forages for wild veggies, bakes bread, walks the dog, tends a home garden, drives 50 km to the general store for supplies, invites old buddies over for a barbecue, fixes the neighborhood grandma’s oven at her request, sells homemade lemonade at the local festival," he tweeted (translated).

This idea sheds light on a rarely explored aspect of video game heroes: life outside of their perilous adventures. Not only could this approach appeal to those who may be hesitant about the typical zombie survival horror elements. It also presents an opportunity for newcomers to engage with the Resident Evil universe in a more relaxed setting. If the gaming industry can produce dating simulators inspired by the Cthulhu Mythos, why not a cosy iteration of Resident Evil?

Kamiya seems earnest about his suggestion, urging Capcom to consider this fresh direction. "Capcom, there are a lot of voices out there saying they want something like a [Resident Evil] that’s not scary," he noted in a follow-up tweet. "So if you have some free time, please consider making it... I want to play it too."

While the traditional horror elements of Resident Evil have their charm, this unconventional take could attract a different audience, piquing interest even from those who typically shy away from horror games. As announced at The Game Awards 2024, Kamiya is currently working on a sequel to the beloved 2006 Capcom classic, Okami, at his new studio, Clovers. Whether or not he will pursue this cosy Resident Evil concept remains to be seen, but it could provide an intriguing nudge for Capcom and its current developers.