Resident Evil creator Hideki Kamiya, known for his work on the original Resident Evil and Resident Evil 2, has shared a unique vision for a potential new entry in the survival horror series: a cozy game starring a retired Leon S. Kennedy. Kamiya, who has previously expressed a preference for less frightening game experiences, detailed his idea on X (formerly Twitter).
Kamiya's concept places a retired Leon in a tranquil countryside setting. The gameplay would revolve around activities such as fishing, foraging for wild vegetables, baking bread, gardening, and interacting with the local community. His vision includes mundane tasks like driving to the general store for supplies, hosting barbecues with old friends, and even helping a neighborhood grandmother repair her oven. The retired hero would also participate in local events, such as selling homemade lemonade at a festival. "But that'd be cool, right...?" Kamiya mused in his post.
This departure from traditional horror gameplay aims to explore an often-untouched aspect of action hero personas: their lives beyond combat and crisis. The proposal also suggests that a cozy Resident Evil could serve as an accessible entry point for players not typically drawn to the genre's horror elements. Kamiya pointed to the existence of Cthulhu Mythos-inspired dating simulators as precedent for unexpected genre mashups.
Despite a history of provocative online statements, Kamiya appears earnest about this particular suggestion. "Capcom, there are a lot of voices out there saying they want something like a [Resident Evil] that's not scary," he stated in a follow-up tweet, urging the developer to consider the concept if they have spare resources. "So if you have some free time, please consider making it... I want to play it too."
While Kamiya is not currently developing this cozy Resident Evil concept himself, he is occupied with a new project. His studio, Clover, is working on a sequel to the 2006 Capcom classic Okami, which was announced at The Game Awards 2024. However, Kamiya's suggestion may still influence Capcom's future direction for the Resident Evil franchise.