Capcom unveiled “Resident Evil Requiem,” also known as “Resident Evil 9,” during Geoff Keighley’s Summer Game Fest 2025, creating a meticulously crafted sense of anticipation. This game had been the subject of numerous leaks in recent months. The trailer was aired in a tense and nearly silent atmosphere, featuring only one face: that of Grace Ashcroft, an FBI agent with an enigmatic profile reflecting her troubled past. Her name is significant to long-time fans as she is the daughter of Alyssa Ashcroft, the journalist from “Resident Evil Outbreak” on PS2. The trailer shows Grace heading towards the Remwood Hotel, where her mother was allegedly murdered. A chilling sequence follows, revealing charred ruins reminiscent of Raccoon City, fragments of memories, and a ghostly silhouette of the iconic police station from “Resident Evil 2.” Requiem appears to be returning to its origins. However, is Grace the only new character in this installment? Nothing has been confirmed yet…
And what about Leon S. Kennedy? Another element that has caused discussion in the community is the persistent rumor regarding Leon S. Kennedy’s return. An unmatched icon of the series, Leon started in 1998 as a simple blue-clad police officer in Resident Evil 2 before evolving into a highly trained government agent in the legendary Resident Evil 4, an episode that redefined the genre with its third-person gameplay, abandoning the fixed camera angles and rigid controls of its early days. After a somewhat tepid appearance in Resident Evil 6, Leon regained his noble status in the 2019 remake of RE 2, then again in that of RE 4 in 2023. His potential return in Resident Evil Requiem, even though unconfirmed, would seem to suggest a generational handover, and could also allow Capcom to capitalize on sales, as the character is associated with high sales figures.
From a technical standpoint, Capcom impresses with Resident Evil 9 Requiem. The game relies on its in-house RE Engine, which appears to have been pushed to its limits. This is evident from the trailer’s footage, which offers even more photorealistic graphics, particularly in character modeling. An unsettling realism, down to the most mundane details: micro-expressions, skin textures, beads of sweat – everything is designed to make horror a physical, almost organic sensation.
Scheduled for February 27, 2026 on PC, PS4, and Xbox Series X|S, Resident Evil Requiem is announced as one of the most significant episodes in the series. Will it be in first or third person? We will find out soon enough…
