Resident Evil Village is still a mystery. Fans are eager to see how it will stack up against both Resident Evil 7 and other entries in the series - apparently so much so that the PlayStation 5 store crashed as they rushed to download Resident Evil 8's "Maiden" demo. One thing fans are likely excited to see is the introduction of another merchant character. Much like Resident Evil 4's Merchant, it looks like this new character, The Duke, will be a critical part of protagonist Ethan's adventure. What's not clear is whether Resident Evil 8's merchant is the same character as RE4's.
Resident Evil 8 is the eighth mainline entry in the Resident Evil franchise. Following in the footsteps of its direct predecessor, Village is a first-person horror game, deviating in style from the original Resident Evil games and the more action-packed Resident Evil 4 through 6. Yet some key aspects of gameplay and feel remain constant.
A new Resident Evil 8 gameplay trailer revealed The Duke, who fulfills the role of merchant for the tragic hero Ethan Winters. The Duke's appearance, accompanied by some telltale calling cards, has prompted fans to question if he could possibly be the same capital-m Merchant Leon Kennedy and Ada Wong encountered in Resident Evil 4.
Is RE8's The Duke The Same Person As RE4's Merchant?
There are some striking similarities between Resident Evil 4's Merchant and The Duke. Both characters appear to possess the same ability to travel great distances incredibly quickly. They also both possess the same uncanny ability to acquire high-powered firearms, avoid detection or engagement with the protagonist's enemies, and have no ill will towards the player. Finally, both merchants operate their logistics purely through a Resident Evil inventory system made up of different-sized briefcases.
But there are also some key differences that cannot be ignored. The Merchant in Resident Evil 4 was without a doubt a member of Ganado, the parasite-infected Spanish villagers that make up the game's primary enemies. It is evident from his face, eyes, and sallow skin. Aside from continuing the tradition of Resident Evil 4's best feature, The Duke possesses a very different look in his face and skin, and there is no hint of Ganado parasitic infection in the brief moments he is visible in the trailer. Most of the Ganados were killed or rounded up during the events of Resident Evil 4, though given his powers, the Merchant might have escaped.
At the moment, there isn't enough information to confirm of deny whether or not The Duke is the Merchant. Yet the fact that The Duke lacks every physical sign of a Ganado infection implies he is a different man. Unless, of course, the Merchant managed to remove the parasite somehow. Fans might never know, but now that Resident Evil 8 has a release date, the countdown to answers can begin.