Prepare to revisit the nightmare. Capcom is taking fans back to the very origins of the survival horror saga with the upcoming release of resident Evil: requiem. Announced as the ninth main entry in the iconic franchise, this highly anticipated title is slated to coincide with a major milestone: the series’ 30th anniversary in 2026. Following games that explored the broader world of the Resident Evil universe, Requiem promises a deliberate return to the narrative threads woven through the infamous raccoon City incident and the clandestine operations of the nefarious Umbrella Corporation. Get ready for a chilling new story that honors the past while forging a terrifying future.
A Return to Roots: Why Raccoon City Now?
After stepping into new territory and introducing protagonists like Ethan Winters, the Resident Evil series is pivoting back to its foundational setting. Producer Masato Kumazawa shared insights in a recent interview, explaining the strategic timing of Resident Evil: Requiem. Releasing on February 27, 2026, perfectly aligns with the franchise’s 30th anniversary, marking three decades since the original game first terrified players in 1996. This return to Raccoon City isn’t merely nostalgic; it serves as a direct acknowledgment and remembrance of the tragic events and countless lives lost there. Kumazawa highlighted Raccoon City as the birthplace of the dreaded T-virus, the catalyst for the entire Resident Evil storyline. Bringing the game back to where it all began is considered the most fitting tribute to the incident’s victims and the city’s dark legacy. Furthermore, Requiem aims to delve deeper into the secrets of the Umbrella Corporation, the shadowy entity responsible for unleashing the bioweapons that plagued the city. For longtime fans, this focus promises to reconnect with the overarching lore that defined the early games, like Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3, where the city faced its ultimate destruction.
Grace Ashcroft: A New Protagonist with Deep Ties
Leading players through this new horror experience is Grace Ashcroft. Grace isn’t just another newcomer; she’s an FBI agent with a profound personal connection to the game’s setting. She is the daughter of Alyssa Ashcroft, a notable survivor of the Raccoon City outbreak and a protagonist featured in the cooperative survival horror title, Resident Evil: Outbreak. While Alyssa passed away years ago, Grace is still significantly impacted by the loss. The story of Resident Evil: Requiem follows Grace approximately eight years after the infamous incident, drawing her back to Raccoon City. Her mission? To investigate the circumstances surrounding her mother’s death while simultaneously navigating her own grief. The development team specifically sought a protagonist whose personal history was deeply entwined with the city, and Grace’s tragic link provided the perfect fit. Her journey offers a fresh perspective on the Raccoon City disaster, viewed through the eyes of a survivor’s child grappling with its enduring trauma.
Unpacking the Subtitle: What Does ‘Requiem’ Signify?
The subtitle, Requiem, carries significant weight and holds multiple layers of meaning, as teased by producer Masato Kumazawa. A requiem is traditionally a mass for the deceased or a musical composition commemorating the dead. In the context of the game, it directly acknowledges the many lives lost during the devastating Raccoon City incident. Kumazawa explicitly mentioned it serving as “a requiem for all of the people who were caught up in the Raccoon City incident.” But the meaning goes deeper than a simple memorial for the victims. He also stated it is “a requiem for Grace” herself, hinting at her personal journey and potential sacrifices or significant events she will face. Kumazawa promised that upon completing the game, players would discover “even more levels of meaning for the subtitle,” suggesting hidden depths or revelations tied to the narrative’s conclusion. This multifaceted title underscores the game’s themes of loss, memory, and perhaps, a final act of closure or tribute related to the city’s haunting past.
Shifting Focus: A More Relatable Horror Experience
A key design choice in Resident Evil: Requiem is its emphasis on a heightened horror experience. To achieve this, Capcom made a deliberate decision about the protagonist’s nature. Director Koshi Nakanishi explained the team aimed for a character who was relatable and, importantly, easily frightened – a “scaredy cat.” This desire directly influenced the selection of Grace Ashcroft as the lead. Interestingly, Nakanishi revealed they had considered bringing back fan-favorite Leon S. Kennedy, the rookie cop protagonist of Resident Evil 2. However, this idea was abandoned because, as Nakanishi put it, Leon is “quite a bad match for horror.” His reasoning? A seasoned survivor like Leon wouldn’t react with terror to minor scares, like “a bucket falling.” The team felt players wouldn’t connect with a character who wasn’t genuinely startled by the horrors unfolding around them. Choosing Grace, with her personal vulnerability and less hardened background compared to Leon, allows the developers to better build tension and deliver genuine frights. Despite this, given the return to Raccoon City, fan speculation about Leon potentially appearing in some capacity persists.
Looking Ahead: Release Date and Platforms
The excitement for Resident Evil: Requiem‘s return to the franchise’s roots is building. The game was prominently featured at Summer Game Fest 2025, confirming its status as a major upcoming release. As mentioned, the global release date is set for February 27, 2026. Players will be able to dive into the horrors of Raccoon City on multiple current-generation platforms. Resident Evil: Requiem is scheduled for release on PlayStation 5, PC (via platforms like Steam), and Xbox Series X|S. This multiplatform launch ensures a wide audience can experience the game’s chilling narrative and survival horror gameplay. The franchise continues its tradition of delivering high-quality single-player experiences, distinct from its forays into multiplayer spin-offs, offering a focused narrative adventure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main story focus of Resident Evil: Requiem?
Resident Evil: Requiem centers on FBI agent Grace Ashcroft, daughter of Raccoon City survivor Alyssa Ashcroft from Resident Evil: Outbreak. The game returns to Raccoon City nearly 30 years after the infamous incident. Grace investigates the circumstances of her mother’s death in the city while the narrative explores her grief and delves into the secrets of the Umbrella Corporation, reconnecting with the franchise’s foundational lore.
Who is Grace Ashcroft and why is she the protagonist?
Grace Ashcroft is a new protagonist who is the daughter of Alyssa Ashcroft from Resident Evil: Outbreak. She was chosen because she has a deep personal connection to Raccoon City, the site where her mother died. The developers also wanted a protagonist who was relatable and easily scared, fitting the game’s intended horror focus, which they felt a more seasoned character like Leon S. Kennedy would not provide as effectively.
Why is Resident Evil: Requiem returning to Raccoon City for the 30th anniversary?
The return to Raccoon City is a deliberate choice to coincide with the Resident Evil franchise’s 30th anniversary in 2026. Raccoon City is where the original game was set and the T-virus originated. Bringing the story back serves as a tribute and remembrance for the victims of the devastating incident, honoring the franchise’s roots and its most iconic, tragic location.
Conclusion
Resident Evil: Requiem represents a significant moment for the long-running series. By choosing to return to Raccoon City and the mysteries of the Umbrella Corporation, Capcom is directly appealing to the core fanbase while leveraging the history built over three decades. The focus on a new, relatable protagonist like Grace Ashcroft, whose personal trauma is tied to the city’s past, promises a deeply human element within the survival horror framework. As the game approaches its February 27, 2026 release, anticipation is high to see how this new chapter honors the franchise’s legacy and delivers a fresh wave of terror rooted in its most iconic setting.
