Summary
- Grace Ashcroft is the main protagonist of Resident Evil Requiem.
- Players will be able to switch between first and third person gameplay on-the-fly.
- Requiem will be available on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC upon release on Feb. 27, 2026.
Fans of the Resident Evil franchise have been hungry, waiting for something new in the series to drop, and that desire has been more than fulfilled with Requiem. The ninth installment in the main franchise and a reveal that came out of nowhere, fans are now scrambling around trying to piece together any information regarding the specifics of the story, gameplay, and the implications on the universe itself.
For the most part, the only details that are known right now come from the trailer, a few snippets from the developers, and an exclusive look at a demo, the gameplay of which is still being kept behind closed doors. But there is more than enough to get players excited about the next chapter in the horror genre titan that is Resident Evil.
7 The Protagonist
A Familiar Name From Long Ago
There have been many questions surrounding who the main character would be in the next RE title, and even after the trailer, those questions still remained. Clarification has since come out regarding who the main protagonist is, revealing her to be Grace Ashcroft, the daughter of Alyssa Ashcroft, a character who was first introduced in Outbreak over 20 years ago.
The demo allows players to play through a section as Grace, a character who doesn't have nearly as much combat training as previous protagonists and who instead uses her wits to traverse through the halls while avoiding the horrors within.
6 Third And First-Person Switching
No Longer Stuck With One Perspective
One of the biggest features that many players requested in the more recent titles was the ability to switch camera perspectives while playing the game. Some gamers enjoy the first-person immersion, while others prefer the freedom of third-person, and both options will be available at all times in Resident Evil Requiem, letting players switch on the fly whenever they want.
This is a great feature that was previously locked behind mods and updates, but it is now being made accessible without any further effort from the player. It was mentioned that parts of the game were intended to be experienced in first-person, presumably the more horror-oriented sections, but the choice will still be there, which is a welcome addition to the franchise.
5 Multiple Playable Characters
Let The Speculation Begin
It has already been confirmed that Grace is the primary protagonist for the story in Requiem, but another detail that was confirmed is that there will be at least one other playable character for players to engage with the world as. However, the identity of this other playable character is currently unknown.
There are plenty of speculative trains of thought that could lead players to land on one character or another, yet without any actual confirmation, it is hard to definitively say who it is. Regardless, they have been described as a familiar face with a large arsenal of weapons, which doesn't exactly narrow it down, but it at least states that the character will be a returning one.
4 Platforms And Release Date
Zombies For All To Enjoy
In a world of console exclusives and limited accessibility, it can be troublesome when a new game comes out that many want to play, but it's locked to a specific console, even if it's just for a short while. Thankfully, RE9 will be playable on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC on launch, but there has been no word about the Switch just yet.
Who Is Alyssa Ashcroft: 7 Things To Know About The Resident Evil Requiem Character
It's never too early to brush up on Resident Evil lore, especially when it comes to Alyssa Ashcroft in the upcoming ninth installment, Requiem.
On top of the consoles, a release date has been set as February 27, 2026, just in time for the franchise's 30th anniversary. It's great to have access to all the logistical information long before the release, and while there are no system specifications just yet, it can be assumed that there will be a demo at some point, similar to Village and RE4 Remake, to let players test their systems before it comes out.
3 The Story
Old And New Elements To Play With
The story of Resident Evil has never been particularly easy to follow; with so many spin-offs and wacky storylines, things can get pretty complicated very quickly. As for Resident Evil Requiem, what is known so far is that players will be controlling Grace, a character who is tasked with investigating the place where her mother was murdered at the Wrenwood Hotel.
It is also known that Raccoon City will play some role in the actual plot, as the developers describe the area as being familiar with a few new twists to keep things interesting. And, with an extra character in the mix, there will likely be multiple storylines occurring throughout the game, crossing over with the past as was mentioned.
2 A Capable Director Is Running The Show
Koushi Nakanish's Approach To The Series Is Hard To Beat
When a new game in a series releases, a great way of gauging the kind of experience that is coming is to look at who directed the game and what their track record shows. In this case, the director is Koushi Nakanishi, a game developer who also worked on several other titles in the series, notably directing RE7 and Revelations.
It is reassuring to have someone at the helm who has experience delivering unforgettable games in the catalog, and judging by the gameplay of those titles and the pieces of information that have been revealed, there will likely be a healthy blend of psychological horror and action featured in the upcoming title, complementing one another throughout the story.
1 How The Game Will Fit In The Series
The Canonicity Confirmed
After several decades of titles and a run of games that is close to the double digits, it was unclear where the next game in the Resident Evil series was going to take players and how the stories of the previous characters would be resolved after all this time. First of all, this is going to be the last numbered entry in the series, as the developers want to move away from that tradition to tell other stories in the universe without being confined to a single track.
Secondly, it has been confirmed that the story of the latest title will be canon and not some new spin-off that reimagines the universe's story. As much as possible, developers are trying to tie together some loose ends, as well as introduce plenty of new arcs to usher in a new era for the franchise by keeping to the established plots and opening the doors for adventures down the line.
OpenCritic Reviews
