Grace Ashcroft to Star in "Resident Evil Requiem"

Resident Evil Requiem's director has officially announced Grace Ashcroft as the franchise's new leading character. Discover the game's fresh mechanics including seamless perspective switching and its narrative direction.

Grace Ashcroft Takes Center Stage

Resident Evil Requiem Latest Update

Leon Kennedy might need to step aside - Resident Evil Requiem (RE9) director Koshi Nakanishi has confirmed the mysterious woman from the initial trailer is the game's primary protagonist. According to insider Neon Slice, a private message sent to elite Resident Evil Ambassadors specifically identified Grace Ashcroft as the "new central character" for RE9.

The game's surprise debut at Summer Game Fest 2025 revealed a return to Raccoon City, with many assuming veteran hero Leon Kennedy would resume his leading role. However, the trailer exclusively featured Grace as the playable character.

While Leon's potential involvement remains unconfirmed, Nakanishi emphasized Grace's pivotal role in expanding the Resident Evil universe's lore. Fans hopeful for classic character appearances may need to adjust their expectations for this installment.

Racoon City Revisited

The trailer's Raccoon City setting shocked franchise veterans, raising questions about the narrative's temporal placement. Nakanishi clarified the story unfolds three decades after Resident Evil 3: Nemesis' devastating thermobaric conclusion.

The director confidently stated this entry will surpass his previous works (Resident Evil 7 and Revelations), both acclaimed for their masterful horror execution and narrative depth. Despite revisiting this iconic location, Capcom's official site promises the game will usher in "A new era of survival horror."

Dynamic Perspective System

IGN's June 11 report revealed the game's groundbreaking feature: real-time switching between first and third-person perspectives through a simple menu toggle. This innovation represents another step in the franchise's evolving presentation.

The series has experimented with various camera systems - from fixed angles in early titles to RE4's pioneering over-the-shoulder view. Following the first-person immersion of RE7 and RE8 (which later added third-person via DLC), this new hybrid approach offers unprecedented flexibility.

With the February 27, 2026 release date confirmed for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, fans can anticipate more details about potential returning characters and additional gameplay innovations in upcoming announcements.