Capcom recently unveiled a new preview for Resident Evil Requiem, the ninth installment in the iconic survival horror series. The game has already amassed over 1 million wishlists on PSN and Steam, signaling strong anticipation among fans. However, the game’s development journey took an interesting turn from its original concept.
Initially, Resident Evil Requiem was planned as an online multiplayer experience. Director Koshi Nakanishi revealed in a developer diary that the team explored several innovative ideas for the online format. Despite these creative efforts, the developers ultimately decided to pivot away from the online model after realizing that the core Resident Evil fanbase preferred a traditional single-player experience. Consequently, Requiem was redesigned to follow the single-player format consistent with its eight predecessors.
This shift in design explains the inclusion of Grace Ashcroft, a character connected to the franchise’s multiplayer roots through her mother, Alyssa Ashcroft, from Resident Evil Outbreak. The narrative also revisits Raccoon City, 30 years after the catastrophic events that ended the original zombie outbreak, tying back to the storylines of the first three Resident Evil games.
During the Capcom Showcase, developers highlighted why Leon Kennedy, a staple protagonist known for his action-hero persona, was not the ideal fit for this chapter’s horror-focused tone. Instead, players will control Grace, an FBI agent with firearm experience but lacking Leon’s action-hero traits, making survival a more intense and challenging experience.
Resident Evil Requiem is set to launch on February 27, 2026, for Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC. This release date is notably close to the 30th anniversary of the original Resident Evil game, marking a significant milestone for the franchise.
