RE Requiem’s Bold Setting Could House Even Bolder Enemies

Resident Evil Requiem has been one of the biggest game announcements this year, and with a fresh chapter on the horizon, there are plenty of questions that fans are eagerly awaiting to be answered. With a brand-new protagonist and switch to psychological horror, Resident Evil Requiem is already shaking up the franchise in a variety of ways, but its teased setting could be changing its enemies even more.

There were several fascinating details hidden within Resident Evil Requiem‘s trailer. One of the most exciting clips from the preview was the view of Raccoon City from above, as it showed the point where the thermobaric bomb was dropped during the fight to stop the outbreak. Unlike a nuclear bomb, thermobaric bombs cause less destruction overall, but are still incredibly deadly, even without the radiation. Raccoon City may not have been hit by a nuclear bomb, but that doesn’t mean the surviving infected have been held back from some horrifying mutations.

Resident Evil Requiem Outbreak Connection

Resident Evil Requiem Just Made These Niche Games Must-Plays

Resident Evil Requiem is introducing a brand-new character to the franchise, but they have strong ties to two of the series’ more niche entries.

Raccoon City Being Left Abandoned Could Open the Door to the Further Evolution of the T-Virus

Raccoon City’s Barren Wasteland May Hold Terrifying Surprises

Between the shot of the RPD station being reduced to a crumbled mess of ruins and a giant thermobaric bomb crater, it may be safe to assume that no one has revisited Raccoon City since the initial outbreak. There’s no telling what other surprises Resident Evil Requiem has in store, but it seems possible that players will be able to visit the now-destroyed city.

If that’s the case, then a wasteland-like version of Raccoon City that has been left dormant for nearly three decades could be home to a variety of horrifying mutations that could make the zombies in Resident Evil Requiem a force to be reckoned with. When it comes to the next game’s protagonists, Grace may not be Resident Evil Requiem‘s only main character. For a while now, there have been leaks claiming that Leon S. Kennedy could return to the series. Capcom has yet to confirm this, but if he does return, it would make sense for him to come back to the place that made his rookie days with the RPD so harrowing.

Whether it’s Grace or Leon visiting Raccoon City after all these years, any surviving infected could have mutated beyond their original states during the outbreak. Between RE7 and RE Village, it’s been made clear that the series is capable of bringing its body horror to intense new heights. Of course, Raccoon City fell to the T-Virus and not the Mold, but that doesn’t mean insane mutations are off the table.

Grace Ashcroft works for the FBI as a technical analyst and is sent on a mission to investigate the Wrenwood Hotel. Eight years prior, her mother, Alyssa Ashcroft, was murdered at this very location.

The Wait for Resident Evil Requiem Thankfully Won’t Be a Long One

Resident Evil Requiem is slated to be released on February 27, 2026.

Resident Evil Requiem is kicking off 2026 in a terrifying way, and the fact that it’s less than a year away is thrilling. Summer Game Fest featured plenty of exciting announcements, but Resident Evil Requiem definitely stood out as one of the biggest heavy-hitters.

There could still be more surprises on the horizon for Resident Evil Requiem, but for now, the teaser that Capcom has revealed has ignited plenty of hype already. It’s unclear just how big of a role the Raccoon City wasteland will play in the story, but if players get to explore the destroyed landscape, some horrifying enemies are bound to be lurking around every corner.

Resident Evil Requiem will be available for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.