Key Takeaways
- Release Date: Resident Evil Requiem arrives on February 27, 2026, for PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2.
- New Protagonist: Players take on the role of Grace Ashcroft, an FBI analyst investigating her mother’s murder and Raccoon City’s hidden past.
- Gameplay Blend: Features both first- and third-person modes, classic survival horror design, and exploration-focused gameplay.
Capcom Returns to Fear with Resident Evil Requiem
After months of speculation, Resident Evil Requiem is confirmed as the ninth mainline entry in Capcom’s legendary survival horror franchise. First revealed at Summer Game Fest 2025, the game instantly became one of the most anticipated titles of 2026.
Set to launch on February 27, 2026, Requiem promises to deliver the chilling atmosphere and puzzle-driven gameplay that defined Resident Evil 2, while introducing a new protagonist and deeper psychological storytelling.
The reveal trailer took fans by surprise with familiar sights — Raccoon City, the Umbrella Corporation, and unsettling imagery from the Wrenwood Hotel — alongside fresh faces and new terrors.
A New Heroine Haunted by the Past
At the heart of Resident Evil Requiem is Grace Ashcroft, an FBI intelligence analyst and daughter of investigative reporter Alyssa Ashcroft from Resident Evil Outbreak. Grace’s assignment to a grisly murder case takes her to the abandoned Wrenwood Hotel, where her mother was killed eight years earlier.
Her investigation quickly spirals into something much darker — uncovering connections to Raccoon City’s outbreak and secrets long buried by the Umbrella Corporation.
Capcom has described Grace as “introverted and fearful,” a break from the franchise’s more hardened heroes. This shift toward vulnerability reinforces the return to survival horror roots, where fear and fragility heighten every moment of tension.
Return to Raccoon City — and Familiar Faces?
Though Capcom hasn’t officially confirmed returning characters, fans are convinced Leon S. Kennedy will appear. Eagle-eyed viewers spotted what looked like Leon’s jeep in front of the Raccoon City Police Department during the trailer — and some claim to have heard the voice of actor Nick Apostolides, who voiced Leon in Resident Evil 2 Remake.
Whether Leon is a playable character or a cameo remains to be seen, but the potential crossover adds fuel to the nostalgia burning through the fan base.
Requiem appears to take place in the present day, based on Grace’s age and timeline references. If so, it will mark one of the franchise’s most modern settings yet — while still threading directly into Raccoon City’s haunting legacy.
Gameplay: Survival Horror Reimagined
Capcom has confirmed that Resident Evil Requiem embraces a classic survival horror design, prioritizing tension, limited resources, and exploration over non-stop action.
According to director Koshi Nakanishi, the gameplay is closer to Resident Evil 2 than Resident Evil 4: “Players will expand their exploration area in a closed space and overcome obstacles using their wits.”
The game also allows players to switch between first-person and third-person perspectives, offering two distinct experiences. The first-person mode emphasizes atmosphere and scares, while third-person caters to action-oriented players — a dual-approach that should satisfy fans of both Resident Evil 7 and Resident Evil Village.
Weapons like the trusty handgun make a return, but brute force won’t always be enough. Puzzle-solving, stealth, and resource management are key to survival — especially during boss encounters that test strategy as much as reflexes.
The Monsters and Mysteries Await
Among the new enemies revealed is a towering stalker creature, reminiscent of RE7’s Jack Baker and the terrifying Lisa Trevor from earlier games. Though some believed Lisa herself was returning, Capcom clarified the monster is an entirely new creation — albeit inspired by her disturbing design.
Another mysterious figure, the hooded man, has also sparked speculation, with fans wondering if he’s connected to Resident Evil 4’s Merchant or perhaps a brand-new villain. Nakanishi has confirmed the latter: the hooded man is “a new character created for Requiem.”
And yes — there’s almost certainly a hidden laboratory somewhere. Because what’s Resident Evil without a secret lab crawling with bio-weapons and lore documents waiting to be discovered?
Conclusion: Survival Horror’s Next Evolution
With its dual perspectives, return to Raccoon City, and a gripping new heroine, Resident Evil Requiem looks poised to merge the best of the old and new. Capcom seems determined to remind players what made the series legendary — psychological tension, atmospheric horror, and storytelling that lingers long after the screen fades to black.
As the February 2026 release date draws near, Resident Evil Requiem is shaping up to be not just a sequel, but a rebirth of survival horror itself.
