Raccoon City was the American setting where Resident Evil began. After multiple instalments set around the world, Resident Evil Requiem producer Masato Kumazawa shared why the series is returning to the ruins of this iconic city.
In a PlayStation Blog interview, Kumazawa explained that after more recent titles that had explored “the broader universe” of Resident Evil, Capcom wanted a story that “continues the overarching narrative rooted in Raccoon City and the secret machinations of the Umbrella Corporation.”
Following the T-virus outbreak, the US government ordered a missile strike to destroy the city in order to eradicate the virus. In having players return to its ruins about 30 years later, Kumazawa said that the team also wanted a character “with a personal connection to the city itself,” introducing Grace Ashcroft, the presumed daughter of Resident Evil: Outbreak’s Alyssa Ashcroft.
Kumazawa described Grace as a “relatable protagonist,” adding, “By making Grace someone who reflects the player’s own vulnerability, we believe players will enjoy a gameplay experience filled with tension and immersion. When walking alone down a dark hallway, her breathing becomes erratic; when an enemy suddenly appears, she jumps in fright. Grace is a character with a low tolerance for fear, but she grows throughout the story and eventually begins to confront various horrors with courage.”
The game’s director Koshi Nakanishi had also echoed this sentiment during the game’s appearance at a Capcom showcase, when explaining that the decision not to have Leon Kennedy as a protagonist was that he would have been “a bad match for horror.”
Kumazawa also elaborated on Resident Evil Requiem’s concept of “addictive fear,” a compulsion to want to know what will happen next even though you might find it terrifying. “The reason behind this concept is that recent entries in the series, such as Resident Evil Village and Resident Evil 4, while still horror titles, leaned heavily into action,” he explained. “With the latest installment we wanted to return to a game that puts a strong focus on horror.”
The return to Raccoon City and to the series’ horror roots is also good timing for Resident Evil’s 30th anniversary next year, when Resident Evil Requiem releases. It hits Xbox Series X|S, PS5, and PC on February 27, 2026.