Resident Evil Requiem Feels Like a New Era and Leon Is the Reason
Resident Evil Requiem Feels Like a New Era and Leon Is the Reason
Capcom’s next mainline Resident Evil is not trying to shock you. It’s trying to reset the franchise. Here’s what’s confirmed so far, what the trailer implies, and why Leon’s role matters more than nostalgia.
Key Takeaways
- Resident Evil Requiem is RE9 and launches February 27, 2026.
- Dual protagonists: Grace Ashcroft leans survival horror, Leon S. Kennedy leans action-forward.
- The investigation traces back to the hidden truth behind the 1998 Raccoon City incident.
- Capcom is also leaning into flexibility with a first-person / third-person toggle.
If you watched the Resident Evil Requiem trailer and felt unsettled, you’re not alone. What makes this reveal hit isn’t one big shock moment. It’s the restraint.
Requiem doesn’t feel like Capcom trying to outdo the last game. It feels like Capcom setting tone on purpose. And once you slow it down, it becomes clear this isn’t “just another sequel.” It’s a reset for what Resident Evil is aiming to be next.
What Resident Evil Requiem actually is
Resident Evil Requiem was revealed at The Game Awards 2025 and launches on February 27, 2026. It’s confirmed for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2.
This is Resident Evil 9, built as a mainline chapter. The game is directed by Kōshi Nakanishi (Resident Evil 7), which helps explain why the reveal leans more into mood, pressure, and dread than pure spectacle.
Dual protagonists: two gameplay identities
Requiem’s core structure is built around two protagonists whose stories are intertwined: Grace Ashcroft (an FBI analyst) and Leon S. Kennedy.
Both investigate a string of strange deaths connected to an abandoned hotel. That investigation can lead to uncovering hidden truth tied to the 1998 Raccoon City incident.
Capcom is not pretending both characters play the same. Grace leans into survival horror. She’s vulnerable. The pressure builds. Leon leans into action-forward gameplay, where momentum and combat skill matter.
That separation is important. Instead of trying to blend horror and action into one experience, Requiem separates them structurally and lets each approach exist fully. If Capcom maintains that balance, this avoids the identity whiplash the series has struggled with before.
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If you like breakdowns that reduce confusion, these are in the same lane.
Why Leon matters here
Leon is not here to reassure fans that this is “still Resident Evil.” He’s here to re-anchor it.
Leon is the character who has lived through the franchise’s major identity shifts. He bridges classic survival horror roots and the action evolution. Putting him back into a case that points toward 1998 reframes Requiem as an investigation with emotional weight, not just another outbreak scenario.
First-person vs third-person: why the toggle matters
One of the most interesting confirmed details is the ability to switch between first-person and third-person perspectives. That’s not just a feature. It’s a tone tool.
First-person heightens vulnerability and tension. Third-person supports awareness, movement, and action pacing. Giving players control over perspective lets Capcom serve both horror and action without forcing one viewpoint for every situation.
If you’ve ever felt like you love Resident Evil’s atmosphere but prefer third-person readability, or you love first-person immersion but want breathing room during action, this flexibility is a big deal.
Why Requiem feels like a new era for Resident Evil
The trailer doesn’t dump lore. It doesn’t chase shock value. It trusts the audience. That restraint is exactly why the reveal has such strong momentum right now.
Capcom has also teased a dedicated Resident Evil Showcase in early 2026 with a deeper look at Requiem. That pacing matters. It suggests Capcom is controlling the rollout and letting the tone do the work.
Requiem isn’t trying to escalate Resident Evil. It’s trying to refine it.
Release date, platforms, and confirmed details
- Release date: February 27, 2026
- Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, Nintendo Switch 2
- Protagonists: Grace Ashcroft and Leon S. Kennedy
- Story hook: Strange deaths tied to an abandoned hotel and truth linked to the 1998 incident
- Pre-order bonus: Grace “Apocalypse” costume
- Deluxe Edition details: Leon costumes (Resident Evil 4, “Apocalypse,” “Film Noir”) plus an emblem weapon charm
- Next info drop: Resident Evil Showcase in early 2026
Watch the full breakdown
If this helped you understand the reveal faster, keep an eye on OnThaSticks as more Requiem details drop. This is one of those games where early impressions are easy to misread if you don’t slow it down.
FAQ
When does Resident Evil Requiem release?
Resident Evil Requiem launches on February 27, 2026.
Is Resident Evil Requiem Resident Evil 9?
Yes. Requiem is positioned as the next mainline entry, commonly referred to as RE9.
Is Leon Kennedy playable in Resident Evil Requiem?
Yes. Requiem features dual protagonists: Leon S. Kennedy and FBI analyst Grace Ashcroft.
Who is Grace Ashcroft?
Grace Ashcroft is an FBI analyst investigating a case connected to strange deaths and an abandoned hotel tied into 1998-era truth.
Will Resident Evil Requiem have first-person and third-person?
Yes. Requiem supports switching between first-person and third-person perspectives.
Is there a Resident Evil Requiem demo?
As of December 28, 2025, no public demo release has been announced for home platforms.
When will we see gameplay?
Capcom has teased a dedicated Resident Evil Showcase in early 2026 with a deeper look.
