Resident Evil: Requiem (RE9) Revealed – Release Date, Protagonist, Setting & Gameplay Features
Resident Evil 9, titled Requiem, stars Grace Ashcroft in post-nuclear Raccoon City. Launches Feb 27, 2026. Full details on characters, gameplay, and horror elements.
The Big Reveal at Summer Game Fest
Capcom closed out the Summer Game Fest with a bang, unveiling Resident Evil: Requiem (also known as Resident Evil 9)—set to release on February 27, 2026, for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. The trailer dropped players into a post-nuclear Raccoon City, with tense shots around the iconic police station and glimpses of a decrepit Wrenwood Hotel.
Grace Ashcroft Takes the Spotlight
You won’t be playing as the usual suspects this time. Your main protagonist is Grace Ashcroft, an FBI technical analyst investigating gruesome murders in the hotel where her mom, Alyssa Ashcroft—a character from Resident Evil: Outbreak—was killed. Capcom is leaning into psychological horror again, with Grace feeling vulnerable,
New official Grace Ashcroft art from Capcom: pic.twitter.com/L2HpjpgLAz
— AestheticGamer aka Dusk Golem (@AestheticGamer1) June 11, 2025
Switch Perspectives Like a Pro
One of the coolest features we learned about? You can toggle freely between first-person and third-person views at any time during gameplay. This flexibility follows RE7 and Village’s post-launch style but makes it seamless from the get-go. Expect tense first-person horror moments and wider third-person action shots.
Familiar Faces or Cameos?
IMDb listings hint at familiar names—Chris Redfield, Leon S. Kennedy, Jill and Claire Valentine, and even Barry Burton—voicing characters again. That said, Capcom hasn’t confirmed whether they'll have meaningful roles or just cameo appearances. They could appear in mercenaries modes, unlockable chapters, or as minor NPCs. Community whispers, like on Steam, suggest players expect them to show up in some form, maybe even reconnecting with Raccoon City’s history.
Tying It Back to the Past
There are clear nods and threads linking Requiem to older games:
- A document mentioning Alyssa Ashcroft surfaces in RE7, linking the story to Grace’s adventures.
- Lisa Trevor—a tragic fan-favorite—seems to return, adding to the horror legacy.
- Returning to Raccoon City and the police station gives us that full-circle vibe from RE2 and RE3.
Survival Horror Is Back in Full Force
Requiem is billed as a return to the series’ survival-horror roots—with a renewed focus on psychological dread, tense encounters, and immersive, sweat-inducing scares. That said, it won’t abandon action either, delivering a balanced blend of both.
New Demo Leaks & Recent Sneak Peeks
An alleged demo lasted about 30 minutes, featuring Grace moving through corridors—complete with some minor combat and healing via syringe injection instead of traditional chem fluid. Plus, the demo reportedly hinted at a second playable character—likely Leon Kennedy. Worth noting this comes from leaks, but it’s still exciting.
What We’re Still Wondering
- What hasn't been confirmed yet—and is ripe for speculation:
- Will Grace’s journey tie directly to classic heroes like Leon or Chris?
- Will we see episodic playable segments for returning characters?
- How open is this Raccoon City? Is it linear or more exploratory?
- Will Lisa Trevor and Alyssa’s storyline be central to the plot—or just Easter eggs?
- Could we see a completely new style of mercenary mode, like Village’s Shadows or RE4's mercs?
The Next Horror Chapter
Resident Evil: Requiem is shaping up to be a love letter to long-time fans, blending classic Raccoon City nostalgia, returning heroes, and brand-new storylines with Grace at the helm. With next-gen visuals, perspective swapping, and a focus on gut-churning horror, Capcom appears to be setting a new benchmark.
We’ll learn more as Capcom likely reveals trailers, gameplay walkthroughs, or demos ahead of Gamescom or the holiday season. Judging by the buildup, RE9 (aka Requiem) is poised to be one of the most anticipated horror experiences of 2026.
