Resident Evil Requiem, the ninth mainline installment in Capcom’s legendary survival horror franchise, marks a significant turning point for the series. Released on February 27, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, and the Nintendo Switch 2, the game attempts to bridge the gap between the claustrophobic psychological horror of Resident Evil 7 and the high-octane action of the Resident Evil 4 Remake. By placing players back into the desolate ruins of Raccoon City—30 years after its destruction—Capcom has crafted an experience that feels both like a nostalgic farewell and a bold new beginning.

The game introduces a dual-protagonist system featuring Grace Ashcroft, a newcomer to the series, and the returning veteran Leon S. Kennedy. This structural choice is more than just a narrative gimmick; it fundamentally alters the gameplay loop, forcing players to adapt to two wildly different styles of survival.

The Haunting Legacy of the Ashcroft Bloodline

The narrative heart of Resident Evil Requiem lies in the journey of Grace Ashcroft, an FBI intelligence analyst with a tragic past. Grace is not a seasoned combatant like the heroes we have grown accustomed to. Her character is defined by her introversion and a deep-seated trauma stemming from the death of her mother, Alyssa Ashcroft. Long-time fans will recognize Alyssa as the intrepid reporter from the Resident Evil Outbreak series, a survivor who continued to investigate the Umbrella Corporation long after the Raccoon City incident until her mysterious death eight years prior to the events of Requiem.

Grace’s investigation into a string of mysterious deaths across the United States leads her to the Wrenwood Hotel in the Midwest—the very site where her mother perished. The writing here excels at building a sense of personal stakes. Grace isn't fighting to save the world; she is fighting to find closure. However, as she delves deeper into the hotel’s decaying corridors, she discovers that the "abandoned" site is a facade for a deeper conspiracy involving the Chronic Care Center and a new biological threat orchestrated by Victor Gideon, a former Umbrella scientist specializing in T-Virus research.

Leon S. Kennedy enters the fray as a seasoned DSO agent dispatched to investigate a missing police officer at the same location. The intersection of Grace’s analytical, defensive approach and Leon’s proactive, tactical expertise creates a narrative tension that mirrors the gameplay’s shift between horror and action.

Two Protagonists and the Duality of Gameplay

Capcom’s decision to split the experience between two characters with distinct mechanics is the most debated aspect of Resident Evil Requiem. In our extensive playthrough, the contrast between the two campaigns felt deliberate, yet occasionally jarring for those who prefer a singular tone.

Grace Ashcroft: Heart-Stopping Psychological Horror

Grace’s segments are a masterclass in tension. Because she lacks formal combat training, her gameplay emphasizes stealth, environmental awareness, and resource management. She feels "powerless" in a way that recalls the early hours of Resident Evil 7.

  • The Stealth Mechanic: Grace can crouch and hide under tables or behind debris to avoid the game’s primary stalker. Unlike the Nemesis or Mr. X, this unkillable monster can track sound through walls and even crawl along ceilings, making every creak of the floorboards a potential death sentence.
  • Resource Crafting: Grace utilizes a unique crafting system. By collecting "Infected Blood" samples from fallen enemies, she can create specialized injectors and ammo that provide non-lethal stuns or environmental distractions.
  • Vulnerability as a Tool: Playing as Grace requires a "fight or flight" mindset. During the Wrenwood Hotel sequence, we found that running is often the only viable strategy. Her heavy breathing and frantic movements, captured with incredible detail via the RE Engine, heighten the player's anxiety.

Leon S. Kennedy: Death-Defying Action

When the perspective shifts to Leon, the game transforms into the action-heavy experience fans loved in Resident Evil 4.

  • Tactical Combat: Leon has access to a wide arsenal, including customizable handguns, shotguns, and his signature hatchet. He can perform parries, melee finishers, and even use enemy weapons against them.
  • The Attaché Case: The fan-favorite inventory management system returns for Leon’s segments, allowing players to meticulously organize ammo, herbs, and weapon upgrades.
  • Open Environments: While Grace is often confined to tight, claustrophobic interiors, Leon’s missions frequently take place in the missile-scarred remains of Raccoon City, offering more verticality and semi-open exploration.

The Technical Brilliance of the RE Engine in 2026

From a technical standpoint, Resident Evil Requiem pushes the current generation of hardware to its absolute limit. Director Koshi Nakanishi has utilized the latest iteration of the RE Engine to deliver what is arguably the most visually stunning game in the franchise.

Path Tracing and Atmospheric Lighting

On PC and PlayStation 5, the game features full path tracing. This includes ray-traced global illumination, shadows, and ambient occlusion. During our testing on an RTX 5080, the lighting in the zombie-infested Chronic Care Center was nothing short of transformative. The way light flickers through broken windows, casting dynamic shadows that dance across blood-stained walls, creates an oppressive atmosphere that traditional rasterization simply cannot replicate.

Perspective Freedom

A standout feature is the ability to switch between first-person and third-person perspectives at any time. The first-person mode is the intended way to experience Grace’s campaign, offering a "tense, realistic" viewpoint that makes every jump scare feel personal. Conversely, the third-person mode is ideal for Leon’s action segments, providing the situational awareness needed for managing multiple enemies. The transition between these perspectives is seamless, with the camera smoothly pulling back or zooming in without any immersion-breaking cuts.

Sound Design: The Unsung Hero

The audio design in Requiem is perhaps its greatest strength. Using 3D audio technology, the game creates a soundscape where every groan, distant footstep, and rustle of wind has a specific spatial location. For Grace, sound is a survival mechanic. We found ourselves sitting in silence, listening for the monster’s claws scraping against the ceiling of the room next door. The sound of Grace’s own heartbeat and ragged breathing becomes a rhythmic indicator of her stress levels, adding a layer of biological feedback to the experience.

Navigating the Ruins of Raccoon City

Returning to Raccoon City 30 years after the missile strike is a poignant experience for series veterans. The environment is a haunting mix of overgrown vegetation and "missile-scarred" ruins. Familiar landmarks, like the RPD station, are present but unrecognizable, twisted by time and the lingering effects of the outbreak.

The map design encourages exploration but rewards caution. In Leon’s segments, the non-linear structure allows players to tackle objectives in various orders, reminiscent of the "Keys and Fuses" progression of the original games but on a much larger scale. However, some players have noted that the "Find 3 Fuses" or "Find 3 Keys" loops can become repetitive toward the middle of the game. While these puzzles are a staple of the genre, the execution in Requiem occasionally feels like a barrier to the otherwise excellent pacing.

The Commercial and Cultural Impact of Resident Evil 9

Capcom has not shied away from high-profile collaborations for this release. Resident Evil Requiem features surprising partnerships with luxury brands, including Porsche and Hamilton. Players can unlock a specific Porsche-themed vehicle skin or a Hamilton-branded watch for Grace and Leon, which serves as a functional in-game HUD element. While some purists find these "immersion-breaking," they are largely optional and reflect the massive commercial scale of the Resident Evil brand in 2026.

Beyond the marketing, the game has seen immense success, selling over 7 million units in its first two months. It was one of the most wishlisted games of 2025 following its reveal at the Summer Game Fest. The "Apocalypse" codename, which once pointed toward a scrapped open-world multiplayer project, has been reclaimed to describe the narrative weight of this single-player masterpiece.

Is Resident Evil Requiem Worth the Hype?

After spending over 40 hours in the world of Requiem, our verdict is that it is a essential entry for any fan of the genre. It isn't perfect—the pacing between Grace’s slow-burn horror and Leon’s rapid action can feel disjointed, and the late-game objectives can feel like busywork. However, the emotional depth of Grace’s story and the visceral thrill of Leon’s combat more than make up for these minor flaws.

The game successfully addresses the "identity crisis" of the series by simply embracing both identities. It proves that Resident Evil doesn't have to choose between being a scary horror game or an exciting action game; it can be both, provided the execution is handled with the care and technical prowess shown here.

Key Performance Specs for PC Players

To get the most out of the RE Engine’s path tracing features, we recommend the following hardware:

  • Minimum for Path Tracing: NVIDIA RTX 3080 or AMD RX 6900 XT.
  • Recommended for 4K 60FPS: NVIDIA RTX 4090 or RTX 5080.
  • VRAM Note: Running at Ultra settings with Path Tracing enabled requires at least 16GB of VRAM to avoid stuttering in the more densely detailed Raccoon City ruins.
  • Controller Support: While DualSense features (adaptive triggers/haptic feedback) are available on PS5, the PC version’s support for these features is currently being patched in by Capcom.

Frequently Asked Questions About Resident Evil Requiem

What is the relationship between Grace Ashcroft and Alyssa Ashcroft?

Grace Ashcroft is the daughter of Alyssa Ashcroft, the reporter from Resident Evil Outbreak. The game’s story revolves around Grace investigating the circumstances of her mother’s death at the Wrenwood Hotel.

Can you play the entire game as Leon Kennedy?

No, the game is structured around intersecting paths. You will switch between Grace and Leon at specific story beats. While their journeys intertwine, both characters are mandatory for completing the main narrative.

Is Resident Evil Requiem a direct sequel to Resident Evil Village?

While it is the ninth mainline entry, it functions more as a standalone story that connects back to the broader lore of the Raccoon City incident. While it follows Village in the series chronology, it focuses on different characters and a different biological threat.

How many endings does Resident Evil Requiem have?

The game features two primary endings and several "epilogue" variations based on the items collected and the choices made during the final sequence in the Chronic Care Center.

Is there a multiplayer mode?

No. Despite early rumors of an open-world multiplayer project under the codename "Apocalypse," Capcom pivoted to a traditional single-player experience to focus on narrative and atmosphere.

Summary of Resident Evil Requiem

Resident Evil Requiem is a bold, dual-natured survival horror experience that successfully marries the series' past and future. By introducing Grace Ashcroft, Capcom has brought back the feeling of genuine vulnerability, while Leon S. Kennedy provides the high-stakes action fans expect. Set against the haunting backdrop of a ruined Raccoon City and powered by the cutting-edge RE Engine, Requiem stands as a testament to why the franchise remains the gold standard of horror. Whether you are hiding in the shadows of the Wrenwood Hotel or fighting through the streets of an apocalyptic wasteland, the nightmare feels more real than ever.

With its release on February 27, 2026, Resident Evil Requiem has solidified its place as a must-play title, offering a "requiem for the dead" that will haunt players for years to come.