I'm already scared (in the best way) that Resident Evil Requiem is bringing back Raccoon City.

I got really excited when I first heard about Resident Evil Requiem. There's no doubt that the Resident Evil series has given us some of the most memorable horror games ever. The thought of a new game always gets my heart racing. The formal announcement at Summer Game Fest and more information at the Capcom Spotlight confirmed what many of us hoped for: a return to the scary, zombie-infested streets of Raccoon City. This game looks like it will be a new and scary experience, but I can't help but think that Capcom is still keeping one big surprise up their sleeve.

Resident Evil Requiem's focus on pure terror is exactly what I've been wanting after the more action-oriented twists of games like Resident Evil Village and Resident Evil 4. Masato Kumazawa, the producer, said that the goal is to keep the tension up throughout the experience and create what they call "addictive fear," which is the strong want to keep going even when you're scared out of your mind. I think Resident Evil Requiem might be a great game for the franchise, even though I still have some questions. The dark location, new main character, and this concept all work together to make me think this.

Resident Evil Requiem's scary story is set in the perfect place: Return to Raccoon City.

This story is especially interesting because it is about Grace Ashcroft's personal life.

It's a great idea to bring us back to Raccoon City, even though it was destroyed 30 years ago. Some people might dispute about what kind of "thermobaric bomb" destroyed Resident Evil 3, but the reality is that we are going back to one of horror's most famous places, which is now a cratered, overgrown wreck. This isn't simply a trip down memory lane; it's an opportunity to see the scars that Umbrella's crimes left behind and how they still affect the world.

Grace Ashcroft is the new main character. She is an FBI technical analyst and the daughter of Alyssa Ashcroft, a playable investigative reporter from Resident Evil Outbreak. This link makes things more serious for me right away. Grace is looking into her mother's claimed murder at the Wrenwood Hotel, which is as creepy as anything else in the series' past. The fact that Grace's search is personal and connected to her family's history with Raccoon City makes the horror even more powerful. Like Rose Winters in Resident Evil Village, the trailer suggests that Grace may be a "chosen one" and may have remnants of the T-Virus in her. This hints at a deeper, possibly genetic link to the atrocities she encounters, which makes her trip much more interesting.

The "Addictive Fear" idea of Resident Evil Requiem promises a new level of fear.

First-Person and Optional Third-Person Modes Let Players Choose

I think the main idea behind "addictive fear" is really interesting. Koshi Nakanishi, the game's director, and Masato Kumazawa, the producer, said they want players to feel the catharsis of facing their anxieties and wanting to do it again. This is a smart way to go, especially because the series has sometimes gone into more action-heavy territory. The developers made Grace an introverted character that is easily afraid to make the player feel more vulnerable, which adds to the suspense and immersion. When Grace's breathing gets weird in a dark hallway or she jumps at an adversary out of nowhere, I know I'll be right there with her.

The Capcom Spotlight demo show confirmed that Resident Evil Requiem will have both first-person and optional third-person modes. Players will be able to switch between them at any moment. This is a great choice. First-person puts us into in Grace's shoes as she moves through the broken-down environs, making the terror feel real. The third-person mode, on the other hand, shows more action, like older Resident Evil games. Players can customize their experience because of this flexibility. They can choose between pure, undiluted dread or a more strategic, action-packed approach. Grace may not have to fight as often, but I expect the series' fundamental elements like managing an inventory, solving cryptic puzzles, and getting scared will always be there.

It's hard to believe what Capcom says about Leon Kennedy in Resident Evil Requiem.

I still think that Leon Kennedy will be in Resident Evil Requiem.

For me, one of the most talked-about things about Resident Evil Requiem is that Capcom says Leon S. Kennedy won't be the main character. Koshi Nakanishi, the director, said that producing a horror game on Leon is "difficult" since he's too tough and wouldn't be startled by "every little thing." I get why people want a main character that is afraid like the player, but I just don't believe that Leon is fully out of the picture.

It would be hard to go back to Raccoon City without Leon Kennedy, who is such a big part of the history there. Some people have said that there might be more than one playable character, and some have even said that Leon could be one of them. Capcom's emphatic denials almost seem like an attempt to throw people off the scent, making them look forward to a surprise appearance. I think there's a good chance we'll see Leon, maybe in combat scenes or as a key supporting character who aids Grace. The voice lines in the reveal trailer hinted at the inclusion of other fan-favorites like Chris, Jill, and Carlos.

The Hooded Man and Other Puzzles Make Resident Evil Requiem Interesting

What does the hooded man want with Grace Ashcroft?

The reveal teaser showed a strange man in a hood, who seems to be the main bad guy in the game. He has a medical training and is shown taking blood from Grace while she is strapped to a gurney. He calls her "the chosen one." This got my imagination going right away. There are a lot of theories regarding who he is, from a new bad guy to a resurrected Oswell E. Spencer, or possibly George Hamilton from Resident Evil Outbreak, as he had a fight with Alyssa Ashcroft in the past. The uncertainty about this person and what they want to do makes people feel both scared and curious.

His curiosity in Grace's blood, which may be because her mother had a virus and then got better, fits in with the show's lengthy history of bio-terrorism and viral testing. This makes it sound like Resident Evil Requiem will not only have scary moments, but also a complicated story that builds on the series' main ideas of biological warfare and human strength. I'm excited to find out more about this strange person and how they relate to Grace's personal sorrow and the empty Raccoon City.

Resident Evil Requiem will be out on Friday, February 27, 2026, for PC through Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. This game has all the makings of a great horror masterpiece: it takes place in Raccoon City again, has a new main character with strong ties to the series' past, and promises to be "addictive fear." I'm really looking forward to starting this new chapter and facing the horrors that are coming. This might be the game that really changes what a modern survival horror game can be.