The debut trailer introduced players to a brand-new lead: Grace Ashcroft, a Technical Analyst for the FBI and the daughter of investigative journalist Alyssa Ashcroft, a character fans may remember from Resident Evil Outbreak. Alyssa tragically perished years ago in the now-infamous Wrenwood Hotel—an incident that will no doubt play a dark and vital role in Grace’s journey.
Set years after the events of the previous games, Requiem follows Grace as she’s assigned to investigate a chilling series of murders—one of which recently occurred in the very same Wrenwood Hotel where her mother died. Her investigation soon spirals into a far more personal descent, leading her to a haunting location that longtime fans will recognize all too well: the ruins of Raccoon City. The trailer reveals a striking image of the city’s crater, now flooded and surrounded by twisted remnants of the once-thriving metropolis, destroyed in an effort to contain the original outbreak. Including the decaying, dilapidated police station.
While the footage stops short of revealing specific gameplay mechanics, the tone and narrative direction suggest a return to psychological horror, investigative elements, and possibly a slower-paced, dread-filled experience from a character that is way out of their depths. And to make matters worse, there is no Kennedy or Redfield in sight to back her up. The game’s antagonist appears to be a serial killer with access to some form of bioweapon or advanced chemical agent, leaving behind grotesque crime scenes that blur the line between murder and viral experimentation.
In a twist that will leave many fans and leakers red-faced, nearly every major rumor surrounding Resident Evil 9 turned out to be wrong. The rumored title “Apocalypse”? Nowhere to be seen. Wendigos? Not a single antler. Leon Kennedy as the protagonist? Not this time. Instead, Capcom has opted for a fresh character, a grounded mystery, and a deeply personal story steeped in franchise lore.
And you know what? It looks fantastic.
Resident Evil 9: Requiem is officially slated for release on February 27, 2026, and will launch on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam.
