Resident Evil fans, brace yourselves: Capcom has pulled back the curtain on Resident Evil Requiem, the ninth mainline entry in its legendary survival horror franchise, with a chilling new trailer at Sony’s State of Play event on February 12, 2026. With the game’s release just around the corner—set for February 27, 2026—excitement is reaching a fever pitch, and for good reason. The latest trailer has not only dropped fresh gameplay footage but teased a slew of plot twists, returning characters, and gameplay innovations that promise to shake up the series in a big way.
According to Bloody Disgusting, Resident Evil Requiem centers around two main protagonists: FBI analyst Grace Ashcroft and the legendary agent Leon S. Kennedy. For the first time in franchise history, players can freely switch between first-person and third-person perspectives at any point, letting them tailor the experience to their preferred style—whether that’s up-close immersion or a cinematic, over-the-shoulder vantage point. This gameplay flexibility is just one of the ways Capcom is aiming to deliver what it calls “the most immersive entry yet.”
The story picks up thirty years after the infamous missile strike that wiped Raccoon City off the map—a government-sanctioned cover-up to contain a devastating zombie outbreak in 1998. The city, once the headquarters of the shadowy Umbrella Corporation, is now a haunting ruin. Grace Ashcroft, an intelligence analyst for the FBI, is called to investigate a string of mysterious deaths in the Midwest. Her journey is deeply personal: still haunted by her mother’s death, she throws herself into the case, which leads her to an abandoned hotel and into the heart of the new nightmare.
Meanwhile, Leon S. Kennedy—familiar to fans as the rookie cop-turned-DSO agent who survived Raccoon City—returns to the scene of past horrors. As IGN reports, the latest trailer reveals Leon is in dire straits: he’s depicted with a grey, deteriorating hand and ominous marks on his neck, clear signs of infection. The footage suggests he’s racing against time to find a cure, adding a desperate edge to his mission. For long-time fans, seeing Leon step through the shattered doors of his old police department is a powerful moment, fraught with nostalgia and dread.
Capcom isn’t just relying on old faces, though. Requiem introduces several new supporting characters who look set to play pivotal roles. Among them is Emily, a young, extremely pale girl Grace finds trapped within the Rhodes Hill Chronic Care Center. Nathan Dempsey, Grace’s supervisor at the FBI, entrusts her with the investigation despite knowing she’s still grappling with her mother’s loss. And then there’s Victor Gideon—the primary suspect in the string of strange deaths. According to VGChartz, Gideon is a former Umbrella Corporation scientist who specialized in T-Virus research, immediately raising red flags for anyone familiar with the series’ lore.
The trailer, as covered by Fangoria, hints at even more surprises. Eagle-eyed viewers spotted a glimpse of a familiar blonde-haired character, widely believed to be Sherry Birkin—a key figure in the Resident Evil universe. The suggestion that Sherry may serve as Leon’s handler adds another layer of intrigue, especially given her own traumatic history with bioterror outbreaks. The trailer’s final moments show Leon returning to his old stomping grounds, the ruined Raccoon City and its police department, evoking both nostalgia and a sense of foreboding.
Capcom’s marketing machine has been in overdrive, slowly peeling back the layers of Requiem at every major console event. As VGChartz notes, the fourth trailer—released during State of Play—delves deeper than previous teasers, revealing new characters, enemy types, and even a few Easter eggs for eagle-eyed fans. The developers have promised that Requiem won’t repeat the missteps of previous multi-protagonist entries, reassuring fans that both Grace and Leon’s stories will be tightly interwoven and emotionally resonant.
Gameplay-wise, Capcom is promising a return to pure survival horror, at least when playing as Grace. Her segments focus on investigation, puzzles, and resource management, channeling the tense, atmospheric dread that made earlier entries so memorable. Leon’s sections, by contrast, are more action-oriented, with the trailer showcasing his trademark roundhouse kicks and combat prowess. This duality is designed to keep players on their toes, never quite sure what’s lurking around the next corner.
One of the most tantalizing promises from Capcom is the introduction of the franchise’s most unpredictable zombies yet. The developers have stated that these new undead adversaries will behave differently from those in past games, making encounters more terrifying and less predictable. This commitment to innovation is reflected in the game’s strong pre-release buzz: as VGChartz reports, Resident Evil Requiem has already amassed over half a million wishlists on Steam, suggesting a robust launch is on the horizon.
For collectors and die-hard fans, Capcom has another treat in store. As reported by Nintendo Everything, amiibo figures for both Grace Ashcroft and Leon S. Kennedy are set to release in summer 2026. Scanning these figures in-game will unlock exclusive weapon skins, adding a fun extra incentive for those eager to customize their experience.
The anticipation isn’t just about gameplay or lore; it’s about atmosphere. The trailers have showcased a moody, oppressive world, with lighting and sound design that ratchets up the tension at every turn. Directed by Koshi Nakanishi—best known for helming the terrifying Resident Evil 7: Biohazard—Requiem looks poised to blend the best elements of survival horror and action, all while pushing the series forward with new ideas.
As the February 27 launch date draws near, Capcom is keeping some secrets close to the vest, promising more announcements in the days leading up to release. Whether you’re a veteran of Raccoon City or a newcomer to the series, Resident Evil Requiem is shaping up to be a must-play entry—one that honors its roots while daring to venture into uncharted territory. With a cast of compelling characters, a story steeped in mystery and tragedy, and gameplay innovations that promise to keep even the bravest players on edge, the countdown to Requiem’s release has never felt more electrifying.
For fans old and new, the return to the haunted streets of Raccoon City—now more unpredictable and dangerous than ever—offers both a homecoming and a fresh nightmare. The wait, it seems, will soon be over.