Summary
Resident Evilfans can now breathe a sigh of relief, as Capcom has finally broken the official silence that has surrounded the series for the past couple of years. After a period of waiting marked by rampant speculation, leaks, and rumors, the recent reveal ofResident Evil Requiemat the finale of the first day of 2025’s Summer Game Fest was met with rousing cheers. The developer even pulled a bit of an amusing fast one on audiences by promising earlier in the show that the nextREwould be announced “when it was ready.”
Not only did the trailer confirm thatResident Evil Requiemisset to release on Jun 23, 2025, but the studiomade it clear that it is taking the upcoming entry firmly into thepsychological horrorspace. While the franchise has certainly had more than its share of tense and terrifying moments, by and large it’sstuck to its patented mix of occassionally campy horror and traditional action. Sometimes it leaned more heavily on one or the other, but most often found a good balance. Now, though, it looks likeREis fully embracing the cerebrally unnerving side of the genre to a previously unseen degree.
Resident Evil Requiem Is Finally Taking the Full Plunge Into Psychological Horror
Resident Evil Requiem Looks to Live Up to its Bold Reinvention Rumors
Varying information from unofficial channels about whatResident Evil Requiem(formerly referred to asResident Evil 9) was striving to be surfaced throughout the intervening time since 2023’sRE4 Remake. Among these claims and leaks were that it would be potentiallyopen-worldand set on an exotic supernatural-influenced island. BeforeRequiem’s reveal, known insider AestheticGamer stated that it would be a “big reinvention” for the series, but had undergone a “reset” sometime during the development process.
Capcom has now dispelled much of the previous speculation, and likely surprised fans in the process, with the direction it’s taking forResident Evil Requiem. Based on what was shown in the footage, there seem to be more than a few traces and hints of well-known psychological horror works likeSeven,True Detective, andThe Silence of the Lambs. This certainly can be said to beanother ambitious step forRE,and though perhaps one that’s long been in the making, it’s now set to take fans into some frightening new places for the franchise.
Resident Evil Requiem Leaping into Psych Horror Is Shaping Up to be the Perfect Shakeup for the Series
Although some prior rumors claimed that Jill Valentine and/or Leon Kennedy would return to the spotlight,Resident Evil Requiem’s lead appears to be FBI analyst Grace Ashcroft. Given her surname and interactions in the trailer, Grace is inferred to be the daughter ofOutbreak’s Alyssa Ashcroft, likely connecting the characters and games closely in the newest title. Up until the introduction of Ethan Winters inRE7andVillage,mostResident Evilprotagonistswere trained professionals or hardened veterans. But Grace’s position and age seem to make her at least a little more vulnerable. Combined with other details from the trailer,Requiemsets up a psychologically terrifying tale as she is called to assist with an investigation of mysterious and gruesome deaths.
The above could still open the door for Leon specifically to appear inRequiemas Grace’s mentor, given his previous assignments and history inResident Evil’s ongoing saga.
Along with this,Resident Evil Requiemis literally returning to its rootsin its story and setting. The trailer features a bombed-out Raccoon City, with shots of a massive crater in its center and the crumbling remains of the iconic RCPD, as Grace explores its eerie ruins.Requiemthus looks to continue to experiment with and evolve the franchise by committing to providing players with an intensely psychological horror experience for the first time in the upcoming installment.
