Capcom has officially unveiled Resident Evil Requiem, the ninth mainline installment in the iconic survival horror franchise, setting its release for February 27, 2026. This announcement came during Summer Game Fest 2025 on June 6, ending months of speculation and rumors surrounding the next chapter of the series. The game is slated for release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, promising to deliver a chilling experience that both honors the franchise's roots and pushes it into bold new territory.
Resident Evil Requiem introduces players to a new protagonist, FBI agent Grace Ashcroft, who carries a heavy personal burden. Grace is the daughter of Alyssa Ashcroft, a character familiar to hardcore fans from the online-only Resident Evil Outbreak on the PlayStation 2. Alyssa was a journalist trapped in Raccoon City during the catastrophic events of Resident Evil 2 and was ultimately murdered at the Remwood Hotel. Grace's mission begins with investigating a crime scene at this very hotel, where a mysterious illness is causing multiple deaths. The trailer depicts her waking up amidst the ruins of Raccoon City, a haunting return to the devastated city that has long been a central symbol in the Resident Evil lore.
The reveal trailer, lasting about three and a half minutes, is noted for its spine-chilling atmosphere and intense realism. Capcom showcased lifelike facial expressions, realistic skin textures, and even high-fidelity sweat droplets, heightening the immersive horror experience. While the trailer does not include gameplay footage, it sets a dark and foreboding tone, featuring classic Resident Evil elements such as eerie door shots and unsettling imagery that fans will recognize and appreciate.
One of the most exciting aspects of Resident Evil Requiem is its return to Raccoon City, a setting that fans have eagerly awaited for decades. The trailer offers glimpses of the derelict Raccoon City Police Department building, notably missing its iconic "D" in the sign, and panoramic views of the city’s destruction, including the massive crater left by the missile strike intended to contain the T-Virus outbreak. This return to the franchise’s origins suggests that Requiem could serve as a culmination of the series’ sprawling narrative, which has woven together multiple storylines over the past 30 years.
Geoff Keighley, host of Summer Game Fest, described the game as a "bold shift for the franchise," highlighting the fresh direction Capcom is taking. The game is expected to kick off a new three-year streak of annual Resident Evil releases, marking a renewed focus on the series after a brief hiatus in 2024 and 2025, years which saw no new Resident Evil projects despite the franchise’s previous run of yearly releases from 2019 through 2023.
While Grace Ashcroft is the clear star of the trailer, rumors and insider reports have confirmed the return of another beloved character: Leon S. Kennedy. Leon, who first appeared as a rookie cop in Resident Evil 2 and later starred in Resident Evil 4 and Resident Evil 6, has been a fan favorite for years. Although he does not appear in the trailer, insider AestheticGamer, who accurately predicted the reveal timing, has confirmed Leon’s involvement in Resident Evil Requiem. This aligns with the franchise’s tradition of featuring multiple protagonists, suggesting that players may experience the story from different perspectives.
Capcom has also announced extensive localization efforts for Resident Evil Requiem, with voiceovers and subtitles available in a wide range of languages including English, Latin American Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, Japanese, French, Italian, German, Castilian Spanish, Russian, and Mandarin. Subtitles will also be provided in Korean, Traditional and Simplified Chinese, Arabic, and Polish, ensuring that fans worldwide can enjoy the game’s narrative fully.
Despite the excitement, many questions remain unanswered. The reveal trailer offers no concrete details about gameplay mechanics, leaving fans curious whether the game will adopt a first-person perspective like Resident Evil 7 and Village or return to the third-person style seen in earlier entries. Similarly, it’s unclear whether the rumored open-world design will materialize, though the return to Raccoon City hints at a potentially expansive setting.
The announcement at Summer Game Fest was the final reveal of the event, underscoring its significance. Capcom’s timing also coincides with the upcoming 30th anniversary of the Resident Evil franchise in 2026, suggesting that Resident Evil Requiem could serve as a significant milestone and possibly a narrative finale that ties together decades of storylines centered around the Umbrella Corporation and its sinister bioweapons.
For fans looking to prepare for the new release, Capcom is currently running a sale on older Resident Evil titles, including the critically acclaimed remakes of Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 4, as well as Resident Evil Village. These sales offer an excellent opportunity to revisit the series’ rich history ahead of Requiem’s launch.
Resident Evil Requiem’s announcement has reignited excitement within the gaming community, promising a terrifying and emotionally charged experience that honors the franchise’s legacy while charting a new course. With its release date set for February 27, 2026, anticipation is building for what could be one of the most memorable entries in the long-running series.
