At Capcom’s Spotlight 2025, we got a deeper look into Resident Evil Requiem, the next major entry in the survival horror series, and one that might also serve as a farewell.
While the game’s first reveal at Summer Game Fest only teased it a little bit, Capcom’s new presentation went further into what makes Requiem unique: a return to the terrifying legacy of Raccoon City, seen through the eyes of a more human, vulnerable protagonist.
A Horror Game That Wants You to Feel Afraid
The developers describe Resident Evil Requiem as built around the concept of “pleasant fear”, a horror that grips you, but rewards your courage with satisfaction and addictive tension. The game is single-player and offline-only, with both first-person and third-person camera options depending on what the player enjoys the most. Both modes offer pros and cons.
Grace Ashcroft: A New Kind of Hero
Requiem’s lead character, Grace Ashcroft, is a quiet, introverted FBI agent, a huge contrast to longtime series protagonists like Leon S. Kennedy. The team initially considered putting Leon back in the spotlight, but ultimately decided his confident personality didn’t fit with the kind of horror game they wanted to build.
Grace isn’t fearless, but she is capable. Her arc is meant to mirror the player’s journey: growing from unease and doubt to resilience and control.
Not Just Another Raccoon City Story
Set nearly 30 days after Operation Javier, Requiem revisits the aftermath of Umbrella’s collapse and the many lives it ruined. Capcom confirmed that familiar faces and unresolved histories will re-emerge, tying back to the foundational moments of the Resident Evil franchise.
As director Koshi Nakanishi put it:
“This game is a requiem, a eulogy to those who came before. Resident Evil is a series that was born from Umbrella and the Raccoon City zombie outbreak. We chose the title Requiem to mark a milestone in the series.”
A Cinematic Celebration
Capcom is pushing hard on realism and visual storytelling this time around! From detailed facial animations and hair simulation, to blood effects and motion-captured performances. Grace’s character model even uses real wigs scanned into CG, emphasizing the team’s focus on real horror.
Resident Evil Requiem launches on February 27, 2026, just ahead of the franchise’s 30th anniversary. While full gameplay footage has yet to be revealed, Capcom’s goal is clear: this is both a celebration and a goodbye. One last terrifying walk through the haunted legacy of Raccoon City.
You can view the dev’s message here:
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