The director of Resident Evil Requiem has confirmed Grace Ashcroft as the series' new lead protagonist. Learn more about the game's narrative direction and its innovative feature that allows players to switch perspectives at any time.
Introducing the New Protagonist: Grace Ashcroft
Latest Resident Evil Requiem Update
It might be time for Leon to step aside - Koshi Nakanishi, director of Resident Evil Requiem (RE9), has officially confirmed the new protagonist featured in the game's debut trailer will carry the story forward. According to Neon Slice's report of an exclusive message sent to Resident Evil Ambassadors, Nakanishi explicitly identified Grace Ashcroft as RE9's "new main character."
Resident Evil Requiem made its unexpected premiere during Summer Game Fest 2025. The trailer suggested a return to Raccoon City, leading many to anticipate series veteran Leon Kennedy's reappearance as protagonist. However, the footage exclusively presented Grace as the playable character.
No official statement has confirmed Leon's involvement as a playable character or his presence in the game. While many fans remain hopeful for their favorite hero's return, Nakanishi emphasized Grace will occupy the central narrative role, with her character arc deeply interwoven into the broader Resident Evil universe.
Journey Back to Raccoon City
Fans expressed surprise at RE9's trailer showcasing Raccoon City, questioning how the narrative would revisit the location. Nakanishi clarified the game occurs three decades after Resident Evil 3: Nemesis, which concluded with Raccoon City's destruction by thermobaric weaponry.
Nakanishi confidently stated RE9 would surpass his previous works including Resident Evil 7 and Resident Evil Revelations. This declaration raises anticipation considerably, as both mentioned titles remain fan favorites celebrated for their survival horror focus and narrative depth.
Despite the nostalgic return to Raccoon City, Capcom's official website describes the game as heralding "a new era of survival horror."
Dynamic Perspective Switching
RE9 introduces significant gameplay evolution as part of its "new era" initiative. IGN's June 11 report from the live demo revealed the game will support both first-person and third-person perspectives. Players can toggle between these views anytime during gameplay through the options menu.
The original series entries (RE1, 2, 3) predominantly used fixed camera angles, where perspectives shifted as players moved between predefined areas. Resident Evil 4 established the third-person perspective as the series standard for subsequent titles.
Following more action-oriented installments, Capcom adopted first-person viewing in RE7 and RE8 to enhance player immersion and horror intensity. Developers previously experimented with dual perspectives by introducing third-person mode in RE8's DLC, despite the base game being first-person exclusively.
With the official release date announced, fans can anticipate additional game details in upcoming months, particularly regarding Leon Kennedy's potential return and other legacy characters.
Resident Evil Requiem launches February 27, 2026 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. For continuous updates about the game, explore our detailed coverage below!
