Zombie horror is a genre that, similar to a disease, spread in the early 2000s like an outbreak. Most media created due to the infection weren’t good. However, there were a few good outcomes. Even after the spread died down due to a lack of interest, one franchise still stands tall: Resident Evil. Developed in 1996, the video game series is a pivotal reason why zombie horror revived in the 21st century. On June 6, 2025, the franchise released a trailer for its newest game, Resident Evil: Requiem. Although the game is the ninth installment, there’s a chance this new addition may have as much influence as Resident Evil: Biohazard.
When Resident Evil was created, it was immensely popular. But by the sixth game, it fell in popularity. To avoid its demise, its developers, CAPCOM, created a seventh game in an attempt to revive the franchise: Resident Evil: Biohazard. Going back to the roots of survival-horror in a house, the game follows a man searching for his wife and ultimately, escape. It was a success. As arguably the most terrifying game, Biohazard, was genius. The game captivated fans both old and new, with neat graphics, unforgettable characters, and a new boss, being mold, not zombies. They later released an eighth game, Resident Evil: Village, and it got popular, though not as famous as the seventh game. People wanted to feel the sense of dread and terror they received from Biohazard. Now, after five years, the fans may finally get what they wanted.
Although not set to release till February 27, 2026, Resident Evil: Requiem has already released multiple trailers to hype it up. The game will follow a new character, Grace Ashcroft, who is a tech analyst for the FBI. She’s investigating a case involving dead bodies with strange characteristics. For her job, she’s ordered to go to Wrenwood Hotel, the location of a new dead body. However, that’s also the place where her mom, Alyssa Ashcroft, was murdered. Now, Grace must face her past and uncover secrets that were long kept hidden underground, and encounter abnormal enemies. Although the game will be set mainly in Wrenwood Hotel, Resident Evil’s most famous location, Raccoon City, will also make an appearance in the game.
Requiem has a chance to become as big, if not more than, Biohazard. One of the biggest complaints from the seventh instalment was that the main character was too unrealistic and fake. To make up for it, Grace Ashcroft shows promise as she clearly demonstrates more humanistic reactions. Returning to its roots, the game will move on from mold and bring back zombies. It’s also likely this game will be even more terrifying. A recent statement from developers implied that safe rooms won’t even be safe in Requiem. If the player stays too long, there’s a chance the monster can get in, putting the player in constant danger. The graphics are also much better and realistic, and the game will allow both first and third person. Altogether, with maybe an extra spark revealed at Requiem’s release, it may give the video game a chance to become huge.
2026 isn’t just the year Requiem will be released, however. It’s also the 30th anniversary of the first game, marking a celebration. The creators have stated that the date was unintentional, yet there are still expectations for the game. Despite the clear statement that the game intends to be different, many people on social media hope that recognizable characters from previous games will make a cameo in the new game. Others are also hopeful that the game answers questions left from previous games and that the new story will be just as good as Biohazard. There are plenty of other predictions for the game, given how big the fandom is.
Despite the fall of zombie horror, Resident Evil refuses to die. It’s a plague that has impacted both the zombie genre and video games. The first female in a survival horror game actually came from Resident Evil 1. Without Biohazard, the video game series almost faded away. Similar to Biohazard’s impact on reviving the franchise, the ninth installment has the potential to become hugely popular. Requiem will follow a realistic character with a more horrifying experience. Of course, with a new addition to a beloved franchise, there are a lot of predictions and expectations from fans. Players will just have to wait until February 27 to find out what it becomes.
