No doubt RE7 will be poorly written and poorly executed in the utmost Capcom Tradition!
I'd say co-op is a must as they make the games really fun with my friends.
I agree that both Chris and Leon need a break. So I'd prefer they bring the newer characters like Sherry, Jake, Helena and Josh. Claire, Moira and Barry could be in a main game too but me thinks they are gonna be in a second season of RE Revelations 2 or something.
However if it's the final game of the series then they might as well bring everyone back in a big mumbled mess no less.
Here's my speculation of ideas that could happen throughout the series.
Pairings that need to happen in the series at some point for character dynamics and closure.
Chris and Jill (Tie the knot! <3)
Leon and Ada (Start an actual relationship
)
Sherry and Jake (Are the modern Jill and Chirs :3)
Sheva and Josh (BSAA Buddies)
Moira and Barry (Like Father, Like Daughter)
Claire and Chris (Redfield Siblings)
Chris and Leon (The two main men)
Jill and Claire (The two leading ladies)
Ada and Chris (Tension?)
Jake and Chris (Daddy issues resolved?)
Sherry and Claire (Role model meets inspired fangirl xD)
Moira and Sherry (The Claire Redfield fanclub)
Jill and Barry (Old time's sake)
I forgot about Rebecca and Billy so they could make a comeback and have to layers unveiled.
Villains that would have to return for ultimate closure
Wesker - RE5 was a mad hatter clone and he was behind Simmon's funding/research and makes a comeback because Jake and Sherry have something he needs for research or they'd the be the ultimate tests subjects? Also it would fuck with Chris's mind. xD
Piers - Could be Chris's Nemisis? Everyone else had so now it's his turn.
But it is hard to say, what I would like, a vast majority of others may not enjoy.
If Capcom wants horror that may have to be with making new less capable characters as since all the other characters practically are action hereos. The horror lies in being vulnerable and out powered on top of atmosphere so vast you could bath in it for days if it was literal bath water.
Monsters need to be less mutated freakshow that run at you head on and more hide and come out of nowhere. Flight instead of fight needs to be the more preferred strategy of the overall game regardless of difficulty.
That is IF Capcom really wants to do horror instead of action.
I don't know, only time will tell what they come up with as a "justified" sequel.
Also Chris can never die!
Piers was an example of how the good guy dies and look at how poorly Capcom did that?!
Chris must survive for the love Jill! and BUSCHY needs his beefy idol!