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Short answer: Resident Evil Requiem is the ninth mainline game and a direct return to the ruined Raccoon City storyline. Released on February 27, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC, it follows FBI analyst Grace Ashcroft as she investigates deaths tied to a mysterious disease, while veteran DSO agent Leon S. Kennedy pursues a related case. You can start with Requiem without playing earlier games, but Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3 provide the most useful context for its characters, city and Umbrella-connected history.
What Resident Evil Requiem is about
Resident Evil Requiem is a survival-horror game set in the remains of Raccoon City, the fictional Midwestern city devastated by a government sterilization operation after the original outbreak. It is the series’ ninth main installment and released on February 27, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
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| 1 |
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Resident Evil Requiem Amazon Exclusive Edition - PlayStation 5 | $69.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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007 First Light - Specialist Edition - PlayStation 5 | $69.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Resident Evil 7 biohazard Gold Edition - PlayStation 5 | $19.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Resident Evil 4 - PS5 | $15.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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PRAGMATA - PlayStation 5 | $59.97 | Buy on Amazon |
The story has two connected viewpoints. Grace Ashcroft is an FBI intelligence analyst investigating deaths associated with a mysterious disease. Her case leads her to the abandoned Wrenwood Hotel, where her mother was murdered. Leon S. Kennedy, a survivor of the original Raccoon City Incident and now a seasoned DSO agent, is investigating a related string of deaths elsewhere in the Midwest. Their investigations eventually intersect across locations that include a chronic-care center and the missile-scarred remains of Raccoon City.
This is a continuation of the Raccoon City and Umbrella thread rather than an unrelated side story. It also works as an entry point: official descriptions present Grace and Leon’s cases clearly enough for newcomers to follow the central mystery without knowing every previous game.
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- Amazon Exclusive - 2 sided poster included in every game!
- Grace Ashcroft, an FBI intelligence analyst who is introverted and easily scared, representing a new type of character for the Resident Evil series. Grace will experience horror from the same perspective as the player as she learns to overcome her fears throughout the course of the story.
- For the first time ever in Resident Evil history, players will be able to freely switch between both first- and third-person perspectives throughout the game.
- An Anniversary to Remember: With March 2026 marking the Resident Evil series’ 30-year anniversary, Resident Evil Requiem marks its own milestone in the franchise.
- Pre-orders for Resident Evil Requiem are now open, with the bonus of Grace’s costume: Apocalypse. Please note that the picture weapon does not come with the costume, but it can be obtained in-game.
Why the title matters to the story
Producer Masato Kumazawa described “requiem” as having several meanings. It refers to Grace Ashcroft grieving her mother’s death eight years earlier and to the people caught up in the Raccoon City Incident. The title therefore points both to a personal investigation and to the series’ long-running reckoning with the disaster.
Kumazawa also said that returning to the ruins of Raccoon City called for a protagonist with a personal connection to the city. Grace supplies that connection through Alyssa Ashcroft, while Leon embodies the survivor who has spent years dealing with the consequences of bioterrorism.
The characters you need to know
Grace Ashcroft
Grace is an FBI intelligence analyst whose strengths are deduction and investigation rather than combat experience. Her mother’s death pushed her inward and into work. At the beginning of the game, Grace is frightened and has never faced a zombie. Her progression is deliberately part of the narrative: she develops from an inexperienced investigator into someone capable of confronting the horrors around her.
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Her sections emphasize searching environments, interpreting evidence, analyzing enemies, conserving supplies and crafting. The official PlayStation description says Grace can use infected enemy blood to make items, ammunition and injectors, making biological evidence a practical resource as well as a story element.
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Leon S. Kennedy
Leon survived the 1998 Raccoon City disaster and has since become a highly experienced DSO agent. In Requiem, he follows a related series of deaths, bringing the perspective of someone who already understands outbreaks, hostile infected creatures and organized bioterrorism.
Leon’s gameplay is more combat-oriented. His toolkit includes firearms, a hatchet, melee attacks, parries, enemy weapons and customizable equipment. His sections are not simply a harder version of Grace’s campaign; they create a different rhythm built around positioning, weapon choice and direct engagements.
Alyssa Ashcroft
Alyssa was a reporter present during the original Raccoon City Incident. She survived, continued investigating Umbrella Corporation and was later murdered. Her death is the immediate personal reason Grace returns to a place connected to her family. The game’s premise establishes Alyssa’s importance without requiring a separate playable campaign about her.
Raccoon City and Umbrella
Raccoon City is the connective location linking the new investigation to the older games. It is presented as a city destroyed by the government’s sterilization operation, not as an ordinary urban setting that has simply been abandoned. The ruins and the secrets left behind allow Requiem to revisit the franchise’s central history: the outbreak, the cover-up and Umbrella’s hidden machinations.
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- FEAR COMES HOME -- Fear, combat, exploration, and item management: these are the four pillars of survival horror, a genre that has never been more masterfully executed than in the gameplay of Resident Evil. The horror continues in the ground-breaking Resident Evil 7. Step into the new Isolated View and experience true survival horror in a world created by the all-new RE Engine.
- DEEP IN THE BAYOU - When Ethan Winters opened his inbox, the last thing he expected was to find an email from his wife; she had been missing for three years. The message was simple: "Come get me," and an address in Louisiana. This leads Ethan to a decrepit mansion in the heart of the bayou. The place has a seriously creepy vibe, but Ethan continues his search – until a stranger attacks him and knocks him unconscious. Ethan has no idea what awaits him when he wakes up...for he is now in the clutches of the Baker family.
- A NEW PERSPECTIVE -- In RESIDENT EVIL 7, we're changing the way you interact with the world. For this next major entry in the series, play from a first-person point of view, dramatically increasing your ability to become fully absorbed in the world we have created.
- NEW FOR PLAYSTATION5 – Upgraded features new to the PlayStation5 version of the game include a higher frame rate, 3D audio, added ray tracing, and engaging DualSense support for Haptic Feedback and Adaptive Triggers.
Resident Evil timeline before Requiem
The table below is a practical story-history refresher. It follows the commonly used year associated with each mainline entry and identifies the context that matters for Requiem. Resident Evil 0 was released in 2002 but is set immediately before the 1996 mansion incident, so its release year and story placement are different.
| Year | Game | Why it matters before Requiem |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Resident Evil | Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine investigate the mansion on the outskirts of Raccoon City. This mansion incident starts the central chronology. |
| 1998 | Resident Evil 2 | Leon Kennedy and Claire Redfield survive a zombie-infested Raccoon City. It is the most direct background for Leon and the city’s catastrophe. |
| 1999 | Resident Evil 3: Nemesis | Jill Valentine faces the continuing Raccoon City disaster and a relentless pursuer as the city collapses. |
| 2002 release; pre-1996 setting | Resident Evil 0 | A prequel on the eve of the mansion incident. It expands the early outbreak history but is optional preparation for Requiem. |
| 2005 | Resident Evil 4 | Leon’s later mission shows his transition from rookie survivor to experienced agent and marks the series’ move to over-the-shoulder action. |
| 2009 | Resident Evil 5 | A major bioterrorism conflict in Africa broadens the series beyond Raccoon City. |
| 2012 | Resident Evil 6 | Four connected stories depict a global bioterrorism outbreak. It is Leon’s last mainline appearance before Requiem. |
| 2017 | Resident Evil 7 biohazard | Introduces a first-person, RE ENGINE-era approach centered on Ethan Winters. |
| 2021 | Resident Evil Village | Continues Ethan’s story and develops the modern first-person survival-horror design. |
| 2026 | Resident Evil Requiem | Grace and Leon return to the Raccoon City thread through connected investigations involving a mysterious disease. |
Is Resident Evil Requiem connected to Resident Evil 2 and 3?
Yes. Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3 are the most directly relevant games. Resident Evil 2 establishes Leon as a survivor and shows Raccoon City during the outbreak. Resident Evil 3 follows the continuing catastrophe and gives more context for the city’s destruction. Requiem returns to the aftermath rather than retelling those campaigns.
The connection is historical and character-based, not a requirement to understand every objective. You do not need to memorize item routes, enemy names or the details of every earlier ending. Knowing what happened to Raccoon City, why Leon is experienced and why Umbrella matters is enough to recognize the major links.
Do you need to play the other games first?
No. The game is designed to welcome newcomers. The most efficient preparation depends on what you want from the story:
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- Reawaken a Classic – Resident Evil 4 preserves the essence of the original game, now reconstructed using Capcom’s proprietary RE Engine to deliver realistic visuals and additional narrative depth to the iconic story that was not possible at the time of the original release.
- Modernized Gameplay – The team from 2019’s Resident Evil 2 returns to build upon the series’ modern approach to survival horror. Engage in frenzied combat with the Ganados villagers, explore a European village gripped by madness, and solve puzzles to access new areas and collect useful items for Leon and Ashley’s constant struggle to survive.
- Overwhelming Hordes – Face hordes of rabid enemies that threaten to overwhelm Leon with even more diverse methods of attack than in the original release.
- Survive on a Knife’s Edge – Years of intense training have taught Leon new ways to use his knife, helping to even the odds against the unrelenting onslaught of enemies. By parrying enemy attacks, you can avoid debilitating damage and evade lunging enemies seeking to grab Leon and hold him in place. Make smart use of scavenged knives to deliver precise finishing moves on vulnerable enemies, and even use the element of surprise to quietly dispatch unsuspecting foes before they break.
- Survive on a Knife’s Edge – Years of intense training have taught Leon new ways to use his knife, helping to even the odds against the unrelenting onslaught of enemies. By parrying enemy attacks, you can avoid debilitating damage and evade lunging enemies seeking to grab Leon and hold him in place. Make smart use of scavenged knives to deliver precise finishing moves on vulnerable enemies, and even use the element of surprise to quietly dispatch unsuspecting foes before they break.
| Preparation route | Games | Best for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum context | Resident Evil 2, then Resident Evil 3 | Understanding Leon, Raccoon City and the original disaster | Leaves out Leon’s later career and the broader bioterrorism arc |
| Leon-focused | Resident Evil 2, Resident Evil 4, Resident Evil 6 | Following Leon’s development from survivor to DSO agent | Requires three campaigns and exposes more of Leon’s history |
| Modern horror | Resident Evil 7 biohazard, Resident Evil Village | Understanding recent first-person design and the Ethan era | These games are not direct prerequisites for the Raccoon City plot |
| Full numbered chronology | All entries in the timeline table | Maximum historical context across the series | The largest time commitment; optional for Requiem |
If you have time for only one game, choose Resident Evil 2, preferably its remake. It introduces Leon and the city that Requiem revisits. Add Resident Evil 3 if you want a clearer picture of how the disaster consumed Raccoon City.
How Grace and Leon’s campaigns differ
| Area | Grace | Leon |
|---|---|---|
| Role | FBI intelligence analyst investigating a disease and her mother’s death | Seasoned DSO agent pursuing related deaths |
| Starting position | Frightened and inexperienced with zombies | Veteran of Raccoon City and other bioterrorism incidents |
| Core play | Investigation, enemy analysis, resource management and crafting | Firearms, melee attacks, parries and enemy weapons |
| Resources | Can use infected blood to craft items, ammunition and injectors | Uses a broader combat loadout and customizable equipment |
| Overall rhythm | Vulnerability and careful problem-solving | More action-forward encounters and combat decisions |
The contrast is intentional. Director Koshi Nakanishi has said the game may be scarier overall than Resident Evil Village, but that tension alternates with relief instead of remaining continuously suffocating. Grace’s vulnerability supplies the strongest sustained pressure, while Leon’s expertise creates controlled bursts of action.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What switching characters changes
Switching between Grace and Leon is mechanically meaningful, not merely a way to replay the same scene from another camera. Nakanishi explained that changes made in a shared location persist between characters. If Grace defeats enemies or collects items, those changes remain when you later control Leon, and vice versa.
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- Out-of-This-World Adventure – Stranded on a lunar space station, Hugh encounters Diana, a mysterious android resembling a young girl. While searching for a way back to Earth, they fight to survive against Bots directed to “neutralize” intruders.
- Hack & Shoot – Use each character’s distinct abilities to take down enemies. In combat, Diana can hack foes to expose weaknesses so Hugh can blast them with weapons. This unique fusion of gameplay offers an action-packed experience like no other.
- Space Exploration – Teamwork also extends to traversing the station. Utilize the thrusters in Hugh’s futuristic suit to dash and hover around while Diana hacks security systems to solve puzzles. Only together can they overcome all obstacles.
- Collect and Customize – Gather materials while exploring the station to unlock upgrades, build out a diverse arsenal of weapons, obtain new outfits, and more. Once you’re ready, use the new gear in battle and take on even greater challenges!
Perspective, puzzles and survival-horror systems
Requiem supports both first-person and third-person perspectives. The option connects the intimate immediacy of the modern first-person games with the character-focused visibility associated with earlier third-person entries. Perspective choice does not erase the different roles of Grace and Leon: their equipment, vulnerability and encounter design still shape how each section plays.
Across the campaign, expect combat, investigation, puzzles, resource management and crafting. Grace’s blood-based crafting makes defeated infected enemies part of the supply economy. Leon’s parries, melee options, enemy weapons and equipment modifications make timing and loadout selection more important during fights. Neither character turns the game into a pure action title; survival still depends on deciding when to explore, fight, evade or conserve supplies.
What happened to Raccoon City?
The city was devastated after the original outbreak and the government’s sterilization operation. By the time of Requiem, it is a ruined location rather than a functioning community. The game uses that setting to connect present-day deaths with the older incident and Umbrella’s concealed activities.
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You should think of Raccoon City as both a physical setting and an unresolved historical event. The ruins explain where the investigations lead, while the survivors’ memories explain why the location still carries emotional and political weight. The game’s premise confirms that connection without requiring a spoiler-heavy recap of its late revelations.
A spoiler-light checklist before starting
- Know that the mansion incident began the central chronology.
- Remember that Leon survived the 1998 Raccoon City outbreak.
- Understand that Resident Evil 3 covers the continuing collapse of the city.
- Recognize Umbrella as the corporation tied to the series’ hidden outbreak history.
- Expect Grace’s investigation to be personal because Alyssa Ashcroft was her mother and a reporter who kept investigating Umbrella.
- Expect Leon’s investigation to be connected to a new string of deaths in the Midwest.
- Decide whether you prefer first-person or third-person perspective before beginning, then adjust if the game’s scenes feel more readable from the other view.
- Manage shared resources deliberately because defeated enemies and collected items can remain changed when control switches between characters.
What earlier-game spoilers should you avoid?
A short refresher is useful, but a detailed plot summary can spoil the experience you are about to play. The confirmed setup establishes Grace’s family connection, Leon’s history, the ruined city and the related investigations. It does not establish every late-game reveal, so predictions about hidden identities, the disease’s complete origin or unannounced connections should not be treated as confirmed story facts.
For the cleanest preparation, play Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3 or read only a basic premise recap. Add Resident Evil 4 and Resident Evil 6 when Leon’s career matters more to you than preserving a spoiler-light introduction.
Bottom line for new and returning players
Resident Evil Requiem is both a new investigation and a return to the franchise’s oldest unresolved setting. New players can begin immediately, while returning players will get the strongest payoff from remembering the 1998–1999 Raccoon City disasters, Leon’s progression and Umbrella’s role. The ideal short route is Resident Evil 2 followed by Resident Evil 3; Resident Evil 7 biohazard and Resident Evil Village are useful mainly for understanding the series’ modern first-person design, not for decoding the Raccoon City premise.
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