Capcom has officially announced the next installment in its iconic survival horror franchise: Resident Evil 9: Requiem. Scheduled for release on February 27, 2026, this entry brings a chilling return to Raccoon City, introduces a new protagonist with a personal connection to the series, and leans into psychological horror more than ever before. Revealed during Summer Game Fest 2025, the game is already generating buzz among longtime fans and newcomers alike.
Grace Ashcroft: Resident Evil 9’s New Main Character
The spotlight now shines on Grace Ashcroft, an FBI agent investigating a cold case that spirals into a fresh biohazard crisis. Her personal stake? Her mother, Alyssa Ashcroft the investigative journalist from Resident Evil Outbreak was murdered eight years earlier under suspicious circumstances tied to a luxury hotel. That same hotel is now linked to a new outbreak.
Grace isn’t just chasing down clues. She’s confronting the ghosts of her past and the legacy of a city scarred by tragedy. In early footage, she appears grounded and intense, a refreshing departure from more action-heavy leads. Her emotional depth adds a compelling human layer to the horror.
Raccoon City Returns in Resident Evil 9
Contrary to early rumors suggesting global or Southeast Asian settings, Resident Evil 9 brings the action back to Raccoon City but not as you remember it. This version is a desolate, overgrown ruin. It’s not the bustling city from Resident Evil 2 or the burning chaos of RE3. It’s a haunted, abandoned echo of its former self.
Key locations include the crumbling RPD station and the luxury hotel tied to Alyssa’s death. The environments are drenched in gothic atmosphere, similar to Resident Evil 7 and Village: long, dark corridors, flickering lights, and a constant feeling that something is watching you.
Resident Evil 9 Gameplay and Survival Horror Focus
Capcom is pushing the series back toward its survival horror roots. Don’t expect the over-the-top action of Resident Evil 5 or 6. Based on what we’ve seen, Requiem favors methodical pacing, limited resources, and atmospheric tension.
The RE Engine continues to deliver. Lighting, texture detail, and facial animations are top-tier. But more than graphics, it’s the level design narrow spaces, creepy angles, and eerie silence that builds real fear.
Grace’s FBI background suggests gameplay may involve more investigation and puzzle-solving. Expect to gather evidence, reconstruct timelines, and tackle layered environmental challenges, adding depth to the classic survival formula.
Psychological Horror and Biohazard Mystery
The Resident Evil 9 trailer sets a grim tone. Grace examines disfigured corpses, uncovers ritualistic symbols, and encounters what appears to be a black mold-like infection a possible nod to Resident Evil 7 and its version of the Molded virus.
Capcom hasn’t confirmed the new virus type, but hints suggest a link to earlier Umbrella Corporation experiments, possibly connected to Outbreak’s lesser-known T-virus variants. The focus here is slow-burn tension over nonstop combat.
Resident Evil Lore: Alyssa Ashcroft’s Legacy
Bringing back Alyssa Ashcroft ties Requiem to the often-overlooked Resident Evil Outbreak. That game felt like a spin-off, but now its characters are influencing the main narrative.
Fans are speculating: Who was Grace’s father? Was Alyssa targeted because of her reporting on Umbrella? And what happened in the eight years between her death and Grace’s investigation? Capcom has also hinted that multiple playable characters may return, a structure used effectively in Resident Evil Village and the RE2 Remake.
Capcom’s Long-Term Strategy for Resident Evil
Resident Evil 9 is part of Capcom’s broader strategy to release a major title every 2–3 years, alongside remakes and spin-offs. Each game builds a distinct identity:
- Resident Evil 7 focused on first-person psychological horror.
- Village expanded into gothic and folklore-inspired themes.
- Requiem looks to combine legacy storytelling with investigative survival horror.
Capcom’s balancing act honoring the past while pushing forward is paying off.
What We Still Don’t Know About Resident Evil 9
Key details are still under wraps:
- Who is the primary antagonist?
- What exactly is the new virus?
- Will familiar characters like Leon, Jill, or Chris Redfield return?
Capcom is keeping these answers for future reveals, likely spaced out in the lead-up to launch.
Resident Evil 9: Requiem FAQ
Q: What is the Resident Evil 9: Requiem release date?
A: February 27, 2026.
Q: Who is the main character in Resident Evil 9?
A: Grace Ashcroft, an FBI agent and daughter of Alyssa Ashcroft from Resident Evil Outbreak.
Q: Is Resident Evil 9 set in Raccoon City?
A: Yes, but it’s a ruined, abandoned version filled with gothic horror and decay.
Q: Will Resident Evil 9 focus on survival horror?
A: Yes, Capcom is emphasizing a return to survival gameplay, investigation, and atmosphere.
Final Thoughts
Resident Evil 9: Requiem isn’t just another sequel. It’s a deeply personal story set against a familiar but changed backdrop. With a compelling new lead, a decaying Raccoon City, and a focus on psychological fear, Capcom seems ready to deliver another memorable chapter in the Resident Evil series.
Whether you’re a longtime fan or a curious newcomer, this is one entry to watch. If Requiem sticks the landing, it won’t just revisit the past it’ll redefine what survival horror means in 2026.
