RE9 Story Length Revealed: Longer Than Village or RE4 Remake?

The highly anticipated next main installment in Capcom's iconic survival horror franchise, widely speculated as Resident Evil Requiem or simply Resident Evil 9, has been a hotbed of rumors and speculation. Among the most pressing questions for fans is the game's overall length. Will it be a compact, intense nightmare like recent entries, or will it offer a sprawling narrative more akin to the series' grander adventures? Recent leaks and insider information suggest that the Resident Evil 9 length could surprise many, charting a course significantly longer than its immediate predecessors, Resident Evil Village and potentially even rivaling the ambitious Resident Evil 4 Remake.

For a series renowned for its replayability and atmospheric storytelling, the duration of the main campaign is a critical factor. Players often weigh the investment of time against the depth of the experience. With whispers of a return to the haunting ruins of Raccoon City and the potential involvement of beloved characters like Leon S. Kennedy, fan expectations for a substantial, narrative-rich experience are exceptionally high. The latest intel indicates Capcom might be aiming to meet, if not exceed, those expectations with a story that demands a considerable time commitment.

Unraveling the Mystery: Initial Expectations vs. Leaked Truth

When the first murmurs of Resident Evil 9 began to circulate, many players naturally anticipated a structure similar to its critically acclaimed predecessors, Resident Evil 7: Biohazard and Resident Evil Village. These titles, while delivering exceptional survival horror experiences, typically offered main campaigns that could be completed in around 8-12 hours. This streamlined approach prioritized intense, claustrophobic storytelling over expansive exploration, creating a model that resonated well with modern audiences.

However, recent revelations from the well-known Capcom leaker, Dusk Golem, have seemingly upended these initial assumptions. Dusk Golem, who has a strong track record of accurate leaks regarding Capcom titles, shared insights suggesting a much more ambitious scope for Resident Evil 9's story length. According to their sources, producers behind the game have hinted at a runtime that pushes beyond the typical "short but sweet" Resident Evil formula. This shift implies a deliberate effort to provide a more extended narrative journey, potentially weaving a richer tapestry of lore, character development, and diverse gameplay scenarios.

The sentiment from these leaks suggests that Resident Evil 9 is being crafted to feel like a truly substantial entry, potentially offering a broader world to explore and a deeper story to unravel than what fans might have initially braced themselves for based on the patterns of recent games. This move could be a strategic play by Capcom to address desires for a more expansive experience within the survival horror genre, without sacrificing the core tension and horror elements the series is famous for.

How Long is Resident Evil 9 Really? A Deep Dive into the Numbers

So, just how long can players expect to spend navigating the horrors of Resident Evil 9? The current estimates, primarily from Dusk Golem's leaks, paint a compelling picture that positions RE9 as one of the longer main campaigns in recent memory. To truly understand these figures, it's helpful to compare them to established benchmarks within the series:

Resident Evil Village: On average, players complete the main story of Resident Evil Village in approximately 10 hours. This estimate is for a straight playthrough, focusing solely on the narrative without delving into side quests, collectibles, or extra content.
Resident Evil 4 Remake: Considered a more expansive experience, the Resident Evil 4 Remake offers a main story that typically takes players around 15-20 hours to complete. Completionists, aiming for every side quest and achievement, can easily spend 20+ hours within its world.

According to the leaks, the director of Resident Evil 9 reportedly stated it would have an "RE game amount of content," while also being "roughly" the length of the RE4 Remake. However, further clarification from Dusk Golem tempered this slightly, specifying that the game's main story length would be "longer than Village, but a bit shorter than RE:4."

Pulling these threads together, a consensus emerges for the core Resident Evil 9 story length:

Main Story Estimate: Expect a playthrough focused on the primary narrative to take around 13-15 hours. This comfortably places it above Village and closer to the lower end of RE4 Remake's main campaign duration.
Completionist Playtime: For those who wish to explore every corner, uncover every secret, and tackle all side objectives, the total playtime could extend significantly, potentially reaching 18-19 hours. This makes it a truly robust offering within the Resident Evil universe.

Interestingly, some preview builds were described as "roughly 15 hours" by media outlets, though Capcom later denied this figure without providing specifics. Another independent source suggested an even more definitive "about 18 hours long," with an intriguing division: "9 hours for Leon and 9 hours for Grace," hinting at dual protagonists or intertwined storylines that balance playtime across characters. While 18 hours might still seem modest compared to sprawling open-world RPGs, for a Resident Evil title, it's unequivocally on the longer side, promising a substantial journey for fans. For a detailed breakdown of all potential playtimes, including side content and DLC, check out our article on Resident Evil 9 Total Playtime: Story, Side Content & DLC Hours.

Beyond the Main Campaign: Side Content and DLC Potential

The projected Resident Evil 9 length extends beyond just the core narrative. Modern Resident Evil titles often include a healthy dose of optional content that encourages exploration and offers additional challenges, and RE9 appears to be no exception. These side quests, puzzles, and hidden areas will naturally contribute to the overall playtime for players who aim for full completion, pushing the game closer to that 18-19 hour mark.

Furthermore, the post-launch roadmap for Resident Evil Requiem is already taking shape. According to Dusk Golem, at least one wave of downloadable content (DLC) is actively in development. This is a common strategy for Capcom, with both Resident Evil Village and RE4 Remake receiving substantial story expansions that enriched their respective worlds and often introduced new playable characters or perspectives.

One compelling theory suggests that the planned DLC for RE9 could be a prequel, starring a character named Alyssa. If this holds true, such an expansion would likely add another 3-5 hours of gameplay on top of the already significant main game. This extra content would not only extend the overall value proposition for players but also delve deeper into the lore, potentially exploring events leading up to the main story or offering a different take on the game's setting. The inclusion of substantial, character-focused DLC would provide a complete package that offers many hours of terror and exploration, making the overall resident evil 9 length a truly comprehensive experience.

Does Length Equate to Value? Fan Expectations for RE9

The debate over game length often boils down to a fundamental question: does more time always mean more value? For a franchise like Resident Evil, known for its meticulously crafted environments, intense encounters, and carefully paced horror, the balance between quantity and quality is paramount. While some fans are clamoring for a truly epic experience, others value the tighter, more focused narratives that prevent pacing issues or repetitive gameplay.

With an estimated 18-hour main campaign, Resident Evil 9 is undoubtedly ambitious. For many, this longer duration is a welcome sign, promising a deeper dive into the story, characters, and world. The prospect of returning to the ruins of Raccoon City—a location steeped in franchise history and fan nostalgia—demands a narrative that does it justice. If rumors of Leon Kennedy's involvement are true, players will undoubtedly want a substantial arc for such an iconic figure.

However, the challenge for Capcom will be to ensure that the increased length serves the game's narrative and gameplay without feeling padded. A longer experience should translate into richer lore, more diverse environments, compelling new mechanics, and a greater sense of dread and exploration. If the developers can maintain the series' signature tension and deliver a compelling story across its extended runtime, the Resident Evil 9 length could indeed be a significant strength. For a deeper discussion on whether this duration is enough to satisfy the community, check out our article on Is Resident Evil 9's 18-Hour Story Enough for Fans?

Conclusion

Based on the consistent leaks from reliable sources, it appears that the Resident Evil 9 length is poised to be significantly more substantial than anticipated. Moving beyond the shorter, intense experiences of RE7 and Village, Resident Evil Requiem is shaping up to offer a main campaign in the range of 13-15 hours, potentially extending to 18-19 hours for those who indulge in all the side content. With planned DLC likely adding several more hours, players can expect a comprehensive and expansive survival horror adventure. While these figures are still unofficial and subject to change, the strong indication is that Capcom is aiming to deliver a Resident Evil title that not only terrifies but also provides a deeply engaging and lengthy narrative journey for its dedicated fanbase.