Originally conceived as an ambitious open-world title with multiplayer elements, Resident Evil Requiem has undergone significant transformation during its development. The ninth mainline installment in Capcom's legendary survival horror series will instead deliver a tense single-player experience when it launches on February 27, 2026 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.

The game's reveal at Summer Game Fest 2025 stunned audiences with its haunting return to Raccoon City, now featuring Grace Ashcroft - daughter of Resident Evil Outbreak's Alyssa Ashcroft - as the vulnerable new protagonist. Thirty years after the city's destruction, players will guide this anxiety-ridden character through unimaginable terrors in the radioactive ruins.

Director Koshi Nakanishi recently shared fascinating insights into the game's development journey. Early prototypes experimented with open-world design and online cooperative gameplay, but these concepts were ultimately scrapped to maintain the series' signature horror atmosphere. 'We wanted to create something that honors what fans love about Resident Evil,' Nakanishi explained during a Capcom Spotlight event.

The decision to feature Grace Ashcroft instead of series veteran Leon S. Kennedy reflects this commitment to horror authenticity. While Leon's combat expertise made him ill-suited for vulnerability, Grace's inexperience and fearful nature promise to deliver genuine tension as players navigate the contaminated remains of Raccoon City.

Despite abandoning its multiplayer roots, Resident Evil Requiem has already achieved remarkable anticipation, surpassing one million wishlist additions. The game will offer both first-person and third-person perspectives, allowing players to customize their horror experience while maintaining the series' single-player focus.