Nathalia Peralta Duran, Staff Writer

As the year comes closer to an end, there has been plenty of talk about the direction of the new Resident Evil game and what is to come, from official news to fan craze leaks. There’s plenty to look forward to in this new and long-awaited survival horror. Officially confirmed to come next year, the release date is set for Feb. 27, 2026, and with the release of more trailers, we can finally start getting an idea of what to expect. 

The game features the daughter of Alyssa Ashcroft, the protagonist of Resident Evil: Outbreak. Her name is Grace Ashcroft, and her story takes place 30 years after the first Resident Evil, set in 1998. Grace will be making a return to the familiar Raccoon City.

The same director and studio lead, Koshi Nakanishi, said, “Requiem is even better than Resident Evil 7 and Revelations.” It has been eight years since the release of the last mainline game, counted among some of the best in the franchise seen in recent times, alongside the remakes.

The gameplay itself is another interesting point in the direction of the game as a whole, with the players having the choice to either go through the story in first or third person point of view, traversing the many horrors Umbrella has laid out for us to seek.

Game Director Nakanishi says, “Including both perspectives wasn’t exactly twice as difficult for us, but there were some aspects where we had to make adjustments for each perspective. What we found was that if you just take the camera out of the character’s head and show them in third-person, if we didn’t add in more animation and characterization, then they look quite unnatural and robotic. That’s because the first-person version has them just running along, and they wouldn’t be reacting physically to anything, because you can’t see those reactions.”

As someone who has played both, it can sometimes really be a crucial part of how one immerses fully into the story. First person point of view lets you see the world through the protagonist’s eyes without a moment to relax; you never know when the next zombie or bioweapon is around the corner to attack. The third person point of view does not let you fully put your guard down, but at least you can distract yourself with the details around you while watching the protagonist go through the trials.

The game’s official reveal took place as part of the Summer Game Fest Live 2025, where Capcom finally gave fans their first look at the protagonist, Grace Ashcroft, and her journey to uncover the truth behind her mother’s sudden death. As of now, there are no signs of pre-orders, but as the release date gets closer, we might get more updates.

According to the official Capcom website, Resident Evil: Requiem is set to launch on PS5, Xbox Series X and PC platforms in Feb. 2026. Unfortunately, a copy will not be available for older consoles, but regardless, it is looking very promising with RE Engine settings. 

The first trailer reveals Grace Ashcroft, the daughter and protagonist of Resident Evil: Outbreak of Ashley Ashcroft. Now, as an FBI Agent, Grace is introverted and easily scared, which is an entirely new type of character for the series, as many iconic protagonists have been known to carry the role of the strong, courageous and fearless hero. Having a character experience the same horrors as the players gives a layer of relatability and humanity. 

She is caught in a new outbreak while simultaneously grappling with her traumatic past. We get flashbacks and scenes of a dilapidated Raccoon City, and we get a shot of the camera moving out slowly, showing Grace’s face and revealing her current predicament as she is strapped down. Confronted by a mysterious man who calls her “the special one,” despite not having a clear idea of the story, it remains a tense and dark experience, delivering a chilling and nightmarish journey.

The second and most recent trailer, which was shown at Gamescom Opening Night Live 2025, shows Grace’s mom walking through the manor at night. The two end up running for their lives after a figure in a black hood breaks in and starts swinging its weapon at them with murderous intent. And from the shocked look on Grace’s face, it is clear that she’s not all caught up with her mother’s past, but it’s exciting nonetheless.

Leading up to the official reveal of Requiem, plenty of rumors had been circulating that Leon S. Kennedy might well appear alongside our main protagonist; however, while many still believe this to be the case, Nakanishi commented, “We always thought about making  Leon the protagonist, but making a horror game based around him is difficult.” Explaining how Leon is no longer a character who scares easily, so they didn’t feel as though he would be the right fit for this new and thrilling experience. 

As mentioned before, Resident Evil: Requiem’s gameplay blends elements from the series’ most iconic titles, with players seamlessly switching between first and third person point of view. This comes from a popular post-launch RE8 update that lets players do the same during Ethan’s and Rose’s last adventure in the DLC “Shadows of Rose.”

During the 2025 spotlight, Capcom’s Masato Kumazawa emphasized that players can choose a close-up, immersive horror experience in first-person or a classic over-the-shoulder third-person view, reminiscent of RE2 and RE4. The gameplay stays true to its survival horror roots with its high-tension chase sequences, such as the grotesque wall-climbing humanoid creature that lurks around. Reminding us of other iconic enemy stalkers like Mr. X, Nemesis, Jack Baker and Lady Dimitrescu. 

Originally, Capcom wanted to experiment with an open-world online experience but ultimately stuck with a single-player, offline experience after getting some feedback. Another key function returning to the game is the puzzles, offering a balance between combat and story. While no gunplay has been showcased in the video, Resident Evil: Requiem is shaping itself to become a strong continuation of the franchise ahead of its Feb. 27 release.