“Something sinister is lurking in Raccoon City… but is HE really back?” Brace yourself for Resident Evil 9: Requiem, where a new hero, Grace Ashcroft, steps into a nightmare that could rewrite the series’ darkest secrets. Whispers are spreading about a certain floppy-haired fan-favorite making a comeback—could those iconic blond bangs finally return to face the horror? A chilling new trailer teases a devastated city, a mysterious hotel, and a monster that’ll haunt your dreams. Are you ready to uncover the truth behind the outbreak… or will fear keep you away? 👁️
🗨️ Click to dive into the terror and find out what Capcom’s hiding!
Capcom’s Resident Evil franchise has been a cornerstone of survival horror for nearly three decades, blending pulse-pounding action, intricate puzzles, and spine-chilling atmospheres. With Resident Evil 9: Requiem set to release on February 27, 2026, the series promises to revisit its roots while forging a bold new path. Announced at Summer Game Fest 2025, Requiem introduces a fresh protagonist, Grace Ashcroft, and a return to the iconic, devastated Raccoon City. Yet, one question burns in the minds of fans: Is Leon S. Kennedy, the beloved hero of Resident Evil 2 and 4, making a comeback? This article delves into the details of Resident Evil 9: Requiem, exploring its story, gameplay, release details, and the tantalizing speculation surrounding Leon’s potential return.
Grace Ashcroft: A New Kind of Hero At the heart of Requiem is Grace Ashcroft, an FBI technical analyst and the daughter of Alyssa Ashcroft, a journalist and survivor of the Raccoon City outbreak from the Resident Evil Outbreak spinoff. Unlike series veterans like Leon S. Kennedy or Jill Valentine, Grace is not a battle-hardened warrior. Described by game director Koshi Nakanishi as an “introverted bookworm” who is “easily scared,” Grace brings a fresh perspective to the franchise. Her lack of combat prowess and timid nature make her a relatable protagonist, designed to mirror the player’s own fear and vulnerability in the face of horror. Yet, as an FBI agent, she’s trained in firearms and deductive reasoning, offering a balance of fragility and resourcefulness.
Grace’s story is deeply personal. Tasked with investigating a series of mysterious deaths at the Wrenwood Hotel—where her mother was murdered eight years prior—she’s drawn into a web of conspiracies tied to the Raccoon City outbreak. The game’s first trailer, revealed at Summer Game Fest 2025, shows Grace grappling with traumatic flashbacks of her mother’s death, hinting at a narrative that blends psychological horror with the series’ signature biohazard threats. A chilling moment in the trailer sees Grace strapped to a gurney, with an unknown voice declaring her “the special one,” raising questions about her role in a larger, possibly viral, conspiracy.
The Return to Raccoon City: A Devastated Legacy Resident Evil 9: Requiem marks the first mainline entry to revisit Raccoon City since its destruction in 1998, as depicted in Resident Evil 3. Set approximately 30 years after the T-virus outbreak, the game takes place in a post-apocalyptic Raccoon City, reduced to rubble by a thermobaric weapon (not a nuclear bomb, as clarified by Capcom). Iconic locations like the Raccoon City Police Department (RPD) appear in ruins, offering a haunting backdrop that pays homage to the series’ origins while introducing new areas, such as underground labs and the eerie Wrenwood Hotel.
The return to Raccoon City is more than nostalgic fan service. According to Nakanishi, Requiem aims to address lingering mysteries from the series’ early days, particularly those tied to the Umbrella Corporation. Alyssa Ashcroft’s past as a journalist investigating Umbrella makes Grace’s journey a natural continuation, potentially uncovering secrets about the corporation’s experiments and the T-virus’s lasting impact. However, leaker Dusk Golem has suggested that Raccoon City is not the primary setting, hinting at a broader narrative that may span multiple locations, much like Resident Evil 6. This ambiguity fuels speculation about the game’s scope and whether it will tie together disparate threads of Resident Evil lore.
Gameplay: A Fusion of Horror and Action Resident Evil 9: Requiem introduces a groundbreaking feature: the ability to switch between first-person and third-person perspectives at any time. This dual-camera system blends the immersive terror of Resident Evil 7: Biohazard with the action-oriented precision of Resident Evil 4 Remake. Capcom has emphasized that the first-person view is the default, offering “tense, realistic gameplay,” while the third-person perspective caters to fans of action-packed sequences. This flexibility was showcased in private demos at Summer Game Fest and Gamescom 2025, where players navigated Grace through the Wrenwood Hotel’s dark corridors, using only a lighter to fend off a grotesque, “witch-like” monster reminiscent of Mr. X or Lady Dimitrescu.
The gameplay retains classic Resident Evil elements: intricate puzzles, resource management, and combat against both human and monstrous foes. Grace’s lack of combat expertise makes encounters feel desperate, with demos showing her stumbling and muttering under pressure as she flees the Stalker, a new enemy that destroys hiding spots and hurls objects to impede her escape. The RE Engine, upgraded for next-gen platforms (PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC), delivers stunning visuals, with detailed lighting and smarter enemy AI enhancing the horror. While Grace’s sections lean heavily into survival horror, rumors suggest a second playable character—possibly Leon—could shift the focus to action-oriented gameplay, creating a dynamic contrast.
The Leon Kennedy Question: Will He Return? Leon S. Kennedy, the rookie-turned-government-agent from Resident Evil 2 and 4, is a fan-favorite whose potential return has sparked intense debate. Early rumors, fueled by leaker Dusk Golem, claimed Leon would be the main protagonist, playing a larger role than Grace. Despite Capcom’s focus on Grace in trailers, several clues suggest Leon’s involvement. The Summer Game Fest trailer includes a jeep outside the RPD that fans believe belongs to Leon, and a line of dialogue at the 2:45 mark sounds strikingly like Nick Apostolides, Leon’s voice actor from recent titles. Apostolides’ resume also lists a “AAA video game” under NDA, aligning with Requiem’s timeline.
However, director Koshi Nakanishi has thrown cold water on the idea of Leon as the protagonist, stating, “We always thought about making Leon the protagonist, but making a horror game based around him is difficult. He wouldn’t jump at a bucket falling. No one wants to see Leon scared by every little thing.” This suggests Leon’s unflappable nature makes him a poor fit for Requiem’s horror-driven narrative. Yet, Nakanishi’s careful wording—avoiding an outright denial of Leon’s presence—has kept speculation alive. Fans theorize Leon could appear as a secondary playable character, perhaps in third-person sections, mentoring Grace or tying up his trilogy arc (Resident Evil 2, 4, and 6).
Dusk Golem has doubled down, claiming Leon is in the trailer (though not prominently shown) and that players will control him “far more” than Grace. This could indicate a dual-campaign structure, similar to Resident Evil 2 or Revelations, where Grace’s horror-focused story contrasts with Leon’s action-heavy perspective. Alternatively, Leon might appear in a supporting role, akin to Chris Redfield in Resident Evil 7 and Village. With Requiem set in 2028 (based on Grace’s age and Alyssa’s timeline), Leon would be in his 50s, potentially offering a wiser, grizzled take on the character.
Story Speculation: A Requiem for the Past? The title Requiem suggests a thematic conclusion, possibly signaling the end of an era for Resident Evil’s classic characters. Capcom has hinted that the game will address long-standing mysteries, such as Umbrella’s experiments and the T-virus’s legacy. Grace’s connection to Alyssa ties Requiem to Resident Evil Outbreak, while references to a new T-virus strain and a “witch-like” antagonist suggest fresh horrors rooted in the series’ biohazard roots. Some fans speculate that Grace may share similarities with Rose Winters from Resident Evil Village, potentially inheriting unnatural abilities due to her mother’s exposure to viral agents.
The Wrenwood Hotel serves as a central hub, with its dark history tied to Alyssa’s murder and a new outbreak. Trailers depict Grace confronting a robed figure and a monstrous entity, hinting at a cult or bioterrorist group behind the deaths. The return to Raccoon City, combined with easter eggs like Leon’s jeep and potential Code: Veronica references, suggests Requiem could bridge the series’ past and future, possibly retiring icons like Leon, Chris, and Jill to make way for new heroes like Grace.
Release Date and Platforms Resident Evil 9: Requiem is slated for release on February 27, 2026, exclusively for next-gen platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. No plans for a Nintendo Switch 2 port have been announced. The game’s development on the RE Engine ensures cutting-edge visuals and performance, with demos at Gamescom 2025 showcasing its atmospheric depth. While no special editions or pre-order details have been confirmed, previous titles like Resident Evil Village included collector’s editions with figures and artbooks, so fans can expect similar offerings.
Critical Perspective: Balancing Nostalgia and Innovation Capcom’s decision to introduce Grace while teasing Leon’s return reflects a delicate balance between honoring Resident Evil’s legacy and pushing the series forward. Grace’s vulnerability aligns with the franchise’s shift toward psychological horror, seen in Resident Evil 7, but risks alienating fans who prefer action-oriented heroes like Leon. The dual-camera system is a bold innovation, catering to diverse playstyles, but its execution will determine whether it feels seamless or gimmicky. Leaks from Dusk Golem, while credible, should be approached cautiously, as Capcom’s history of misdirection (e.g., Resident Evil Village’s surprises) suggests they may be withholding key details to maintain suspense.
Conclusion: A Chilling New Chapter Awaits Resident Evil 9: Requiem promises to be a landmark entry, blending the series’ horror roots with innovative gameplay and a narrative that could close the book on its iconic heroes. Grace Ashcroft’s personal journey, set against the backdrop of a ruined Raccoon City, offers a fresh perspective, while the specter of Leon S. Kennedy’s return keeps fans on edge. With its February 27, 2026 release approaching, Requiem is poised to deliver a heart-stopping experience that honors the past while charting a terrifying future. Will Leon step back into the spotlight, or will Grace redefine what it means to survive in Resident Evil? Only time—and Capcom’s cryptic marketing—will tell.
