Capcom has finally pulled back the curtain on Resident Evil Requiem, the ninth numbered entry in the survival horror franchise, and from what we’ve seen and played so far, it’s shaping up to be both a nostalgic homecoming and a familiar nightmare, something I’ve been dying for as a massive Resident Evil fan!
Launching on February 27, 2026 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, Requiem takes us back to where it all began: the haunted ruins of Raccoon City (How many times are we coming back here?)
Grace Ashcroft steps into the spotlight
The demo confirms what Capcom teased earlier this year: Grace Ashcroft, daughter of Resident Evil Outbreak’s Alyssa Ashcroft, is the new lead. This marks the first time the series has directly passed the torch to the next generation of survivors.
Unlike Ethan Winters in Resident Evil 7 and Village, whose obscured face became a running point of debate, Grace is front and center. Her emotions—every gasp, shiver, and pained breath—are a key part of the atmosphere.
So far, Grace is the only confirmed protagonist, but persistent rumors hint that Leon S. Kennedy may also be playable later on. If true, it wouldn’t be the first time Resident Evil swapped perspectives mid-story to expand its scope.
A return to cursed ground
The biggest headline is the return to Raccoon City, three decades after its destruction. For long-time fans, it’s a chilling reveal: the first proper revisit to the series’ most iconic setting since Resident Evil 2 and 3.
Capcom says the game takes place exactly 30 years after the Raccoon City Incident, lining up with the franchise’s real-world 30th anniversary. With the Spencer Mansion reportedly “not far away,” the location feels both like a nostalgic nod and a reminder that some scars never heal.
Hands-on: a P.T.-inspired nightmare
While the setting nods to the past, the gameplay demo at Gamescom 2025 shows Capcom leaning into a different kind of influence: Hideo Kojima’s canceled P.T.
The demo opens with Grace waking upside down in a derelict hospital ward, IV strapped to her arm. She staggers through flickering corridors with nothing but a lighter to guide her. There’s no music—just her shaky breaths and the echo of footsteps overhead.
Before long, she’s hunted by a towering, 12-foot monstrosity: a grotesque woman with equine features and flowing black hair. With the exit sealed by an electric gate, Grace must search for a missing fuse while being stalked through the shadows.
Here’s where things get clever. Unlike past entries, combat isn’t the solution. Instead, the monster recoils from light switches, forcing players to think strategically and use illumination as their only defense. It’s an unnerving mechanic that instantly recalls the suffocating tension of P.T., where every step forward felt like a mistake.
In first-person, the sense of panic is suffocating—Grace’s terrified panting and frantic heartbeats sell the dread in a way few Resident Evil games have managed. In third-person, the experience feels more like a traditional Resi chase, but the fear lingers either way.
Still, some came away feeling it was a little too familiar. The claustrophobic halls, the looming pursuer, and the locked-door puzzle all echo Resident Evil 7’s opening beats, just with a shinier coat of paint. “Competent but safe” seemed to be the consensus—but even then, the atmosphere was thick enough to remind everyone why this series continues to dominate the horror genre.
The dual perspective option
Capcom has confirmed that players can switch freely between first-person and third-person views, catering to both newer fans who discovered the series through Resident Evil 7 and veterans who prefer the over-the-shoulder feel of Resident Evil 4.
Beyond the game
In a bit of cross-media synergy, Capcom also confirmed that Weapons and Barbarian director Zach Cregger is developing the next Resident Evil movie. While unrelated to the games’ canon, it marks yet another expansion of the franchise’s presence outside of gaming.
The wait until February
With its February 27, 2026 release date locked in, Resident Evil Requiem is shaping up to be equal parts throwback and evolution.
It’s a return to the series’ most cursed city. It’s a continuation of a legacy through Grace Ashcroft. And yes—it’s a reminder that even 11 years later, P.T.’s ghost still haunts the genre (and ME!!!).
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