The return of Raccoon City, birthplace of Resident Evil, will be seen in Resident Evil Requiem. The series will return to its origin after various parts which took place in other parts of the world. But, it will be a version of the city which was destroyed decades back.
The Decision to Return
Producer Masato Kumazawa revealed that the development team wanted to make a story that picks up where Resident Evil left off. And the setting them chose was Raccoon City amidst Umbrella Corporation’s evil machinations. Returning to Raccoon City after so long is going to give us a chance to connect with the series again after so much vacant space.
Exploring Post-Apocalyptic Raccoon City
As a result of the T-virus outbreak, the government ordered missiles to wipe out Raccoon city. Players find themselves returning to the ruins of the city approximately thirty years later in Resident Evil Requiem. The title features the character of Grace Ashcroft, daughter of Alyssa Ashcroft from Resident Evil: Outbreak, who is personally affiliated with the town.
A Vulnerable New Protagonist
Kumazawa thinks of Grace as an ordinary person full of vulnerability. He explained that when she finds herself alone in a dark hallway, her breathing becomes erratic and the sudden appearance of enemies frightens her. Grace starts out initially weak against fear according to Kumazawa. But she begins changing throughout the story and confronts different fears gradually.
Shifting Back to Horror
Resident Evil 4’s director already said that they didn’t pick established characters like Leon Kennedy to be the protagonist because they wouldn’t fit the horror-focused narrative of this game.
The Concept of “Addictive Fear”
Kumazawa went in-depth about the game’s core premise of “addictive fear”, the temptation to see what happens next even at the cost of fear. He said that the latest chapter in the series – spins such as Resident Evil Village and Resident Evil 4 – were scary, but they were also action-oriented. The team uses Requiem to concentrate on pure horror experiences.
Anniversary Celebration
Resident Evil’s 30th anniversary next year will coincide with the return to Raccoon City, along with the series movie-inspired horror roots. Resident Evil Requiem will be available for Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC on Feb 27, 2026.