Capcom’s next major installment in the Resident Evil franchise is officially on the way. Titled Resident Evil Requiem, the game (also referred to as Resident Evil 9) brings the series back to its survival horror roots while pushing the timeline forward and introducing a new protagonist. Here’s a full breakdown of everything we know so far.
Release Date and Platforms
Resident Evil Requiem launches on February 27, 2026 and will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S, and PC via Steam. At this time, there’s no word on a release for Nintendo Switch 2 or previous-gen consoles.
New Protagonist: Grace Ashcroft
Instead of leaning on returning leads like Leon or Chris, Capcom is shifting the spotlight to Grace Ashcroft, an FBI agent investigating her mother’s mysterious death. If that name sounds familiar to longtime fans, it’s because Grace is the daughter of Alyssa Ashcroft, a journalist from Resident Evil Outbreak. Grace is described as a methodical investigator, more grounded than some of the series’ action-heavy heroes.
Setting: Raccoon City, Decades Later
Set roughly 30 years after the destruction of Raccoon City, Requiem takes players back to the infamous city, now a decaying, overgrown ruin. Though it’s no longer a hotspot for outbreaks, something dark is still festering beneath the surface. Capcom has confirmed the return of iconic locations, including the old RPD building.
Gameplay: First and Third Person Hybrid
Capcom is sticking with the hybrid formula from recent entries, letting players choose between first-person and third-person perspectives. This flexibility allows for both intimate horror moments and more traditional over-the-shoulder combat. The gameplay demo teased during the June 2025 Capcom Spotlight included puzzle-solving, stealth, and evasion, evoking the classic feel of early entries while keeping things modern.
Horror Tone and Monster Design
Director Koshi Nakanishi, known for Resident Evil 7, returns to steer the game toward intense psychological horror. The enemy design is said to be grotesque and disturbing, with early footage drawing comparisons to the unsettling imagery of Barbarian and Goya’s Saturn Devouring His Son. Players should expect a return to slower, more dread-filled gameplay where every shadow could be a threat.
No Leon, and Here’s Why
Despite fan theories and hopes, Capcom made it clear. Leon S. Kennedy is not the protagonist, and may not appear at all. Director Nakanishi explained that Leon’s composed, heroic persona makes it difficult to build genuine horror around him. “He wouldn’t jump at something like a bucket falling,” Nakanishi said. “So he’s actually quite a bad match for horror.” That said, fans are still speculating about a potential cameo.
Development Team and Engine
Requiem is being developed using the RE Engine, the same powerhouse behind recent Resident Evil games and titles like Devil May Cry 5 and Street Fighter 6. Nakanishi is directing, with Masachika Kawata and Masato Kumazawa producing. Their focus is on delivering what they call “addictive fear,” a blend of dread and suspense that defines the tone of the game.
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