- Resident Evil Requiem introduces Grace Ashcroft, a new protagonist tied to Resident Evil Outbreak.
- The trailer returns to Raccoon City, hinting at a blend of series conclusion and new beginnings.
- No familiar characters like Leon or Claire appear, sparking questions about the story’s direction.
- Rumors suggest the game will wrap up the original storyline while setting a new course for the franchise.
The gaming world is abuzz after the Summer Game Fest reveal of Resident Evil Requiem, the ninth mainline entry in Capcom’s iconic survival horror series. The debut trailer introduced a fresh protagonist and a surprising return to Raccoon City, leaving fans both intrigued and puzzled.
Rumors had suggested that Resident Evil 9 would serve as a grand conclusion to the series’ long-running narrative, but the trailer’s focus on new beginnings has sparked questions about how it will tie up three decades of zombie-slaying storytelling.
A New Face in a Familiar World
The trailer’s biggest surprise was its protagonist, Grace Ashcroft, a new character with a familiar last name for fans of 2003’s Resident Evil Outbreak.
Grace is the daughter of Alyssa Ashcroft, an investigative reporter who survived Raccoon City’s destruction. Unlike the series’ staple heroes like Leon Kennedy, Chris Redfield, Claire Redfield, or Jill Valentine, Grace is a fresh face, untested in the Resident Evil universe.
Her introduction in a nondescript FBI office sets a grounded tone, but the trailer’s final moments shift gears, revealing the bombed-out ruins of Raccoon City and the iconic police station from Resident Evil 2.
This return to Raccoon City, destroyed in the series’ lore to contain the T-virus outbreak, hints at a narrative that bridges the franchise’s past and future. The decision to center the story on a new character rather than a veteran like Leon or Claire has raised eyebrows.
Could Grace be a Ms. Marvel-style newcomer leading an ensemble of Resident Evil legends in an epic finale? Or is Capcom leaning harder into a fresh start, as rumored by trusted leaker Dusk Golem?
Rumors of Endings and New Beginnings
Dusk Golem, a well-known source for Resident Evil leaks, previously claimed that Resident Evil Requiem would act as both a “conclusion” and a “new beginning” for the series. According to the leaker, the game will wrap up the overarching story that began with the original Resident Evil (or Resident Evil 0 in the timeline) while introducing major changes to the universe’s status quo. This duality suggests Capcom aims to honor the series’ roots while paving the way for new horror stories.
However, the trailer’s lack of familiar faces like Leon, Chris, or even recurring figures like Ada Wong or Albert Wesker left some fans scratching their heads. Ethan Winters, the protagonist of Resident Evil 7 and Village, is also absent for reasons clear to those who played Village. Many expected Rose Winters, Ethan’s daughter and the star of Village’s DLC, to take center stage, but Grace’s prominence has shifted those expectations.
Capcom’s Slow-Burn Reveal
The road to the trailer’s reveal was a masterclass in teasing. During Summer Game Fest, Capcom kept fans on edge with multiple appearances. First, Maggie Robertson, the voice of Lady Dimitrescu from Resident Evil Village, announced a sale on Resident Evil titles. The high-production-value segment felt oddly significant for a simple discount plug.
Later, Robertson returned alongside series executive producer Jun Takeuchi, who teased that the game was “just a blink of an eye” away. The show culminated with the full trailer, which ran for three and a half minutes and saved its biggest reveal, the return to Raccoon City, for the final moments.
The trailer’s focus on Grace and its cryptic tone have fueled speculation. By tying her to Resident Evil Outbreak, a lesser-known PS2 title, Capcom seems to be digging deep into its lore. The game’s connection to Raccoon City’s destruction, as depicted in Outbreak, suggests a reflective narrative that revisits the series’ origins while setting the stage for something new.
What Next for Resident Evil?
The trailer raises more questions than answers. Will Grace unite the series’ iconic heroes for a final stand, or will her story chart a bold new path? Could Resident Evil Requiem balance its rumored role as a conclusion with its clear emphasis on a fresh start? Fans will have to wait for more details, but Capcom’s track record suggests they’re crafting something ambitious. With its blend of nostalgia and innovation, Resident Evil Requiem is shaping up to be a pivotal chapter in the franchise’s storied history.
