It finally happened. After years of rumors, leaks, and feverish speculation, Capcom just dropped the curtain on Resident Evil 9-and it’s not just another numbered sequel, but officially titled Resident Evil Requiem. As a lifer in the survival horror trenches (I still have my battered original PS1 copy of RE1), this announcement at Summer Game Fest instantly grabbed me, and honestly, I’m both relieved and cautiously excited. After the divisive detour that was Village, Capcom’s promising a return to the series’ roots. But what does that actually mean for those of us who’ve trudged through Spencer Mansion’s blood-soaked halls more times than we can count?
Here’s what you need to know, and-more importantly-why it matters for actual Resident Evil fans, not just the marketing department.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Capcom |
| Release Date | February 27, 2025 |
| Genres | Survival Horror, Action |
| Platforms | PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S |
Let’s cut through the hype: Resident Evil has been in a bit of an identity crisis for the past decade. RE7 rebooted the formula with a bold first-person perspective, but (at least in my book) traded too much of the series’ signature tension for shock and gore. Village doubled down on spectacle—werewolves, vampires, haunted dollhouses, and a villain cast that felt like it was raided from Bloodborne. Fun? Sure. Resident Evil? Not so much.
The first look at Requiem suggests Capcom has been listening. The visual tone is pure RE: dark corridors, oppressive lighting, and a focus on isolation over bombast. There’s less of the supernatural circus and more of what hooked us in the first place—scavenging for ammo, creeping dread, and that constant, delicious uncertainty about what’s around the next corner. That’s a huge deal. It’s not just nostalgia talking; it’s about Resident Evil reclaiming its space as the king of survival horror, not just another horror-action hybrid.
But here’s where my skepticism kicks in. Capcom’s marketing has promised “return to roots” before, only to veer hard into new territory (see: RE6’s action blowout and RE7’s complete overhaul). The first trailer looks promising, but can they resist the temptation to stuff in spectacle and over-the-top villains for viral trailer moments? I want tense resource management, labyrinthine level design, and that slow-burn sense of dread—not just more meme material for the internet.
Also worth noting: This is the first “mainline” Resident Evil since Village in 2021, with the RE4 remake filling the gap but not pushing the story forward. Requiem could finally tie up loose narrative threads and give longtime fans something to chew on beyond Lady Dimitrescu memes and nostalgia-bait. With Capcom’s modern track record—flawless remakes, less consistent mainline games—there’s plenty at stake.
If Capcom delivers, Requiem could be the RE game old-school fans have been begging for: tense, atmospheric, and actually scary rather than just loud. The February release is smart—well clear of holiday blockbusters, and a perfect time to bunker down for some horror gaming. But the stakes are high. If Capcom swings too far back, will new fans (drawn in by Village’s camp and spectacle) feel left behind? And will the game actually stick the landing, or fall into the over-designed bloat that’s plagued other big franchises?
For my money, it’s worth being cautiously optimistic. No one does survival horror quite like Capcom when they’re firing on all cylinders. But after a decade of franchise whiplash, I’ll believe the “back to basics” promise when I feel that old-school dread crawling up my spine instead of another meme-ready monster reveal.
Resident Evil 9: Requiem is official, dropping February 27, 2025. Capcom promises a return to the franchise’s core survival horror roots after Village’s divisive detour. For veteran fans, this could be the gritty, atmospheric RE comeback we’ve wanted for years—if Capcom can resist going off the rails. Keep your green herbs handy, but keep your expectations in check.
Source: Capcom via GamesPress