Capcom’s recent revelation of the much-anticipated Resident Evil 9, titled Resident Evil Requiem, at the Summer Game Fest 2025, sent ripples of excitement throughout the gaming community. After a year shrouded in secrecy since its announcement at the Capcom Next Summer 2024 event, the new trailer has successfully ignited interest and speculation about the next chapter in one of the most influential survival horror franchises of all time. The decision to tease the game initially, suggesting it wasn’t ready for a full reveal, only added to the mystique surrounding the title.
In this new entry, players will step into the shoes of Grace Ashcroft, a determined FBI agent on the trail of a grotesque, unidentified disease that reportedly causes horrifying physical disfigurement. The unsettling imagery showcased in the trailer heralds a return to the franchise’s darker roots, a much-needed shift after the series briefly veered into action-heavy territory with outings like Resident Evil 5 and 6. These games, while entertaining in their own right, left many fans yearning for the intrinsic horror elements that defined early titles in the Resident Evil canon.
A Haunting Reunion
Grace’s investigation intersects with personal tragedy and familial ties, as she finds herself spiraling back to the very hotel where her mother, the veteran Resident Evil reporter Alyssa Ashcroft, lost her life eight years prior. The thematic elements revolving around family, loss, and the inescapable past enrich the narrative layer of Requiem, allowing for not just a thrilling experience, but an emotionally compelling one as well. When Grace finds herself captured and suspended in a grotesque scenario reminiscent of a horror movie, the stakes are raised significantly. The ominous reference to her as “the chosen one” by an unknown assailant adds a chilling twist that hints at deeper, potentially supernatural undertones.
The trailer’s depiction of Raccoon City as a distorted husk, ravaged by chaos and despair, mirrors a world consumed by the residual effects of past horrors. The slithering monstrosities and the chaotic anguish of the city’s inhabitants add to the urgency and despair that fans have come to expect in a Resident Evil experience. The atmospheric dread portrayed in the trailer expertly captures the essence of survival horror: a tension-filled environment where survival hinges not solely on physical prowess but also on psychological resilience.
A Return to Form
Capcom’s choice to enlist Koshi Nakanishi—director of the critically acclaimed Resident Evil 7—speaks volumes about its commitment to revitalizing the series with authentic horror elements. Nakanishi’s return seems to signal a conscious shift back to the claustrophobic tension and deeply unsettling vibes that marked Resident Evil 7 as a turning point for the franchise. The anticipation for Requiem is palpable, and it is apparent that the developers are not merely recycling previous formulas, but instead are aiming to evolve the narrative and gameplay and take players on a horrifying journey.
Nakanishi’s own struggles to develop the narrative post-Resident Evil 7 serve as proof of the care being taken to craft a substantial, immersive experience filled with psychological scares and hard-hitting gore. His remarks indicate that the project has grown significantly from its conception, and it is evident through the gripping footage showcased at the Summer Game Fest that he and his team have created something special.
As the release date of February 27, 2026, approaches, the excitement surrounding Resident Evil Requiem continues to crescendo. Fans eagerly anticipate a return to a rawer, more visceral interpretation of survival horror, one where the gore, the ominous fates of characters, and the oppressive atmospheres reign supreme. This game promises to be not just a rehash of familiar mechanics but a revitalizing plunge back into the dark underbelly of fear that Resident Evil masterfully navigated in its heyday. With players poised on the edge of their seats, Resident Evil Requiem may well usher in a new era of dread and exhilaration for both veteran fans and newcomers to the series alike.