Resident Evil 9: Requiem Announced with New Hero, Raccoon City Return, and 2026 Launch
Resident Evil Requiem Revealed: Setting, Protagonist, and Story
Resident Evil fans were hit with a surprise reveal during Summer Game Fest 2025, as Capcom dropped the first trailer for the next mainline game in the iconic survival horror series. Titled Resident Evil Requiem, this new chapter arrives on February 27, 2026, and brings with it a fresh setting, a new protagonist, and major gameplay shifts.
Resident Evil Requiem introduces Grace Ashcroft, an FBI analyst linked to the franchise’s deeper lore. Grace is believed to be the daughter of Alyssa Ashcroft, a character from the early Resident Evil Outbreak series. Her investigation into a series of disturbing deaths leads her back to the ruins of Raccoon City, the epicenter of the original T-virus outbreak.
The trailer hints at psychological and personal themes, showing Grace facing trauma tied to her mother’s murder. A cryptic antagonist refers to her as the “chosen one,” adding mystery to her role and the direction of the story.
One of the trailer’s biggest reveals is a return to Raccoon City – or what’s left of it. Once bombed by the U.S. government in Resident Evil 3 to contain the outbreak, the city now lies in ruins. Scenes of the Raccoon City Police Department in disrepair suggest a possible open-world design or at least larger, more explorable environments.
Gameplay Changes, Release Platforms, and What’s Next
According to host Geoff Keighley and Capcom’s official messaging, Resident Evil 9 marks a significant shift in gameplay and tone. While survival horror remains at the core, players can expect more high-stakes cinematic action, blending traditional horror with a broader scope of intense set pieces and dramatic storytelling.
Capcom describes the experience as:
“A new era of survival horror begins in 2026. Technological advancements combined with the development team’s depth of experience create a story with rich characters and gameplay that’s more immersive than ever before.”
Resident Evil Requiem will launch on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. The game is reportedly built on upgraded technology to ensure better immersion and visual fidelity. With game director Koshi Nakanishi at the helm – the creative mind behind Resident Evil 7 – fans can expect a mix of psychological horror and impactful gameplay decisions.
Capcom has also teased that more Resident Evil remakes are in the works and another live-action film is in early development, scheduled for September 18, 2026. Directed by Zach Cregger (Barbarian), the film aims to breathe new life into the franchise’s cinematic efforts.
For now, fans can rewatch the haunting trailer, study every frame for clues, and prepare for a return to the dark legacy of Raccoon City. Resident Evil Requiem looks to push the series into a bold new direction — and it all begins in February 2026.