Summary
TheResident Evilfranchise has provided fans with a variety of great protagonists through the years. Indeed, thelead characters inResident Evilgames have always played a major part in the franchise’s success. However, when it comes to the most recent installments in the series,RE7andVillage, main characters Ethan and Mia Winters haven’t gotten the same opportunities to grow in order to become long-lasting protagonists like previous leads.
Although there is definitely an argument to be made that futureResident Evilgames should cease the Winters family saga, it’s also true that the characters weren’t given as much of a platform to become legacy-worthy. Of course, the prospect of seeing Jill, Leon, or Claire making an appearance inResident Evil 9after not being featured in a new game for years is an exciting thought, though Ethan and Mia have a lot of potential in their own rights.
Ethan and Mia’s Roles in Future Resident Evil Games
TheResident Evilfranchise was given a new breath of life thanks toResident Evil 7andResident Evil Village.The story ofVillagesaw the series take a surprising turn in revealing the true origins of the Umbrella Corporation’s iconic name and logo. Despite Ethan and Mia being some of the main characters in these important stories, their true potential was stifled.
Ethan Winters' Anonymity Holds Him Back
Although players took the role of Ethan Winters in bothRE7andVillage, the first-person perspective of both games arguably kept many fans from forming any meaningful bond with him. The quest to keep his face completely hidden by any means necessary makes it feel as thoughRE7andVillagecould have been led by any character in the franchise, making Ethan feel more like an avatar than an actual character. The decision to keepthe identity of Ethan Winters hiddenis a strange choice, and it may have ultimately kept him from reaching legacy status, since some players may not be able to connect with him for this reason.
Mia Winters' Background is Ignored
It’s no secret thatResident Evilcan sometimes leave interesting plot points behind without a clear explanation, but Mia Winters andher involvement with The Connectionsis one of the most interesting aspects about her, and it’s completely glossed over. As an incredibly mysterious crime syndicate, The Connections and Mia Winters' employment with such a shady organization deserves a deeper dive. Her time with The Connections was explored a little bit inRE7, but Mia largely remained absent from the story ofVillage, and what little role she played ignored her sketchy past.
Mia’s mysterious work with The Connections makes her an incredibly interesting character because it makes her morally ambiguous, and this is something theResident Evilfranchise would benefit from exploring more. If the series chose toend Ethan and Mia’s story, it would cement the couple as a duo that didn’t live up to what could have been.
The Couple’s Future is a Mystery
With the addition ofVillage’s DLC Shadows of Rose, Ethan and Mia’s daughter, Rose, took the front seat. Although Ethan was in the story, Mia was nowhere to be found, and it will be interesting to seeifResident Evil 9features Roseor her parents. The Winters family hasn’t been explored to the extent that it should be, and there will hopefully be more room for them to grow in the franchise’s planned future.
