The director of Resident Evil Requiem confirms Grace Ashcroft will be the primary protagonist in this installment. Discover more about the game's focus and its groundbreaking perspective-switching feature.
Grace Ashcroft Takes Center Stage
Resident Evil Requiem Latest Update
Leon Kennedy might need to step aside – Resident Evil Requiem (RE9) director Koshi Nakanishi officially confirmed the mysterious character from the premiere trailer will serve as the game's new protagonist. According to insider Neon Slice, Nakanishi's exclusive platinum Ambassador video message specifically identifies Grace Ashcroft as RE9's "new main character."
The surprise announcement during Summer Game Fest 2025 shocked fans, especially with the trailer's apparent return to Raccoon City. While many anticipated series veteran Leon Kennedy's return, the footage exclusively showcased Grace as the playable character.
Capcom hasn't confirmed Leon's potential involvement yet. Despite fan anticipation for his reappearance, Nakanishi stressed Grace's pivotal role and her deep connections to Resident Evil's overarching narrative.
Return to Raccoon City
RE9's trailer shocked viewers with its Raccoon City setting, prompting questions about revisiting the decimated location's story. Nakanishi clarified the game occurs three decades after Resident Evil 3: Nemesis' thermobaric bombing of the city.
The director boldly claims RE9 will surpass his previous works, including acclaimed entries Resident Evil 7 and Revelations. Considering these titles' reputation for exemplary survival horror and storytelling, expectations run high.
Though saturated with nostalgia regarding its Raccoon City backdrop, Capcom's official site promises the game will herald "A new era of survival horror."
Revolutionary Perspective Switching
RE9 introduces groundbreaking changes befitting its "new era" slogan. As reported by IGN on June 11, live demos revealed players can freely toggle between first-person and third-person perspectives via the options menu.
The franchise originally utilized fixed camera angles (RE1-3) before adopting third-person as standard (RE4 onward). Recent installments RE7 and RE8 shifted to first-person for heightened immersion before transitioning back with RE8's DLC third-person option.
With its February 27, 2026 release confirmed for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, fans eagerly await further details about possible returning characters like Leon Kennedy.
Stay updated on Resident Evil Requiem's latest developments through our continued coverage!
