Capcom has officially unveiled the ninth mainline installment of its iconic survival horror franchise. Titled Resident Evil Requiem, the game is set for release in February 2026 across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2. Building on the momentum of recent remakes and the success of Resident Evil Village, this new chapter aims to push the series into darker, more experimental territory.
The central figure of Resident Evil Requiem is a brand-new protagonist, Grace Ashcroft, whose story is poised to bring a fresh perspective to the franchise’s ongoing narrative of bioterror and survival. Early details suggest Grace will be thrust into a remote coastal setting plagued by strange disappearances, grotesque creatures, and a sinister corporate experiment gone wrong. While Capcom has remained tight-lipped about exact plot details, the title “Requiem” hints at themes of mourning, finality, and the haunting consequences of humanity’s obsession with bio-weapons.
One of the biggest innovations for Requiem is its dual-perspective system. Players will be able to switch between first-person and third-person views at any time, offering greater flexibility in how they approach exploration and combat. First-person mode is designed to heighten immersion and fear, while third-person provides more situational awareness and the cinematic feel that longtime fans associate with the series. This dual approach blends the design philosophies of Resident Evil 7 and Village with the third-person style perfected in the remakes of Resident Evil 2 and 4.
Capcom has also promised a more open-ended environment structure. While Requiem will not be a full open-world game, its interconnected zones are said to be larger, denser, and filled with hidden pathways. Exploration will play a key role, with puzzles, resource management, and backtracking emphasized to recapture the tense atmosphere that defined the franchise’s roots. Dynamic weather and day-night cycles will further add to unpredictability, with enemy behavior shifting based on the environment.
The monsters of Resident Evil Requiem are expected to continue the tradition of grotesque, biologically twisted designs. Early previews suggest an emphasis on aquatic horror, with mutated creatures emerging from shorelines and flooded ruins. This ties into the game’s coastal setting and lends a new thematic direction distinct from the gothic castles of Village or the urban decay of earlier titles.
Fans can also expect expanded combat mechanics, including customizable weapon upgrades, stealth elements, and new AI behaviors for enemies. Capcom is reportedly leveraging its RE Engine to deliver more realistic animations, facial expressions, and environmental details than ever before. The Switch 2 version is also being optimized to ensure that Nintendo fans experience the game without major compromises.
With its February 2026 release date, Resident Evil Requiem stands as one of the most anticipated entries in the franchise’s history. By introducing a new protagonist, offering flexible perspectives, and pushing survival horror into uncharted waters, Capcom is signaling that the series is far from running out of nightmares to unleash.
