We’ve compiled all the details thatResident Evil Requiemconfirmed during the latestCapcompresentation. We now know more about its protagonist, the origin of the title, and more.
Residen Evil Requiem Key Highlights from Capcom Spotlight
Resident Evil Requiemis shaping up to be one of the most anticipated games of next year. The new installment in Capcom’s saga is set to release onFebruary 27, 2026, but there are still many details to uncover about this continuation ofResident Evil Village.
The recent Capcom Spotlight offered several intriguing insights that help us better understandResident Evil Requiem(also referred to asResident Evil 9). So, here we’ve gathered the most relevant information you need to know if you want to stay up-to-date ahead of launch.
The game’s producer,Masato Kumazawa, and other key team members such asKoshi Nakanishi, the director of this new entry, spoke about the game. For example, we now know whyLeon Kennedyis not the protagonist ofRequiem.
But beyond that, we also learned why the game is calledRequiem, whyGraceis the face of the game, and why we’re returning toRaccoon Cityafter so many years.
The Origin of the NameResident Evil Requiem
While the development team made it clear that the full meaning behind the title will only be revealed once the game is completed, they did offer some insight into why they chose the name—relating it to the liturgical process the word represents.
The title has many layers: a requiem for the protagonistGrace Ashcroft, who is coping with the loss of her mother eight years ago, and a requiem for all those affected by theRaccoon City incident, to name just a few examples, according to Kumazawa.
All About the New RE Requiem Protagonist: Grace Ashcroft
Fans of the series may recognize theAshcroftfamily name from Resident Evil Outbreak. The reasons for making Grace the protagonist are clear: familiarity withRaccoon Cityand a personal connection that resonates with players.
“When creating a story set in the ruins ofRaccoon City,we felt it was appropriate to have a character with a personal link to the city. In this horror-focused title, we presentGraceas a new, relatable protagonist—unlike past leads like Leon or Chris,” the producer explained.
Grace is designed to reflect the player’s vulnerability.
“She’s not a soldier, but someone who could be any of us. When walking alone down a dark corridor, her breathing becomes erratic; when an enemy jumps out, she’s visibly startled,” Capcom elaborated.
At first, Grace will be a character with very low tolerance to fear, but as she faces horrors, we’ll witness her growth and transformation in response to the threats she encounters.
Why Return to Raccoon City After Thirty Years?
It’s been many years since we last set foot in the iconic city that was the backdrop for some of the series’ most beloved entries. While theResident Evil 2andResident Evil 3remakes brought us back,Requiemmarks a very different kind of return.
Capcom notes thatResident Evil 7andResident Evil Villageaimed to broaden the scope of the series’ world, but this new title seeks to return to the main storyline that made the franchise what it is today.
“WithResident Evil Requiem, we wanted to pick up a story that continues the core narrative centered around Raccoon City and Umbrella Corporation’s secret machinations. As we celebrate the series’ 30th anniversary, we believe Raccoon City is the most fitting setting,” they stated.
What Makes Resident Evil Requiem Stand Out From Other Entries?
EachResident Evilinstallment has brought its own themes and ideas. Now it’s Requiem’s turn, and Capcom is building this title around a very specific philosophy. It all comes down to a more primal kind of fear—the kind that truly grips you.
The game’s concept is“addictive fear”: that feeling of experiencing something terrifying, yet you can’t stop—you need to know what happens next, said the producer.
Fear is something players typically adapt to over time, but with this game, the team has been more aware than ever of maintaining a constant sense of tension throughout the experience.
The reason for this approach is that recent entries, likeResident Evil Village and Resident Evil 4, while still horror titles, leaned heavily into action. With this latest entry, the developers wanted to return to a game with astrong focus on terror.
Indeed, this newResident Evilpromises to bring us back topure survival horror… in bothfirst- and third-personperspectives.
