Characters like Resident Evil Requiem protagonist Grace Ashcroft are a rarity in the series, which traditionally favors battle-hardened special agents in tactical gear. However, Capcom producer Masato Kumazawa believes that Grace’s vulnerability is her defining trait—her panic is designed to resonate directly with the player’s own experience.
“As a contrast to Leon Kennedy,” Kumazawa explained in a discussion with GamesRadar+, “we introduced Grace, a character easily overwhelmed by fear who is navigating a biological outbreak for the first time. We believe this offers a fresh perspective for the franchise, allowing players to form a genuine connection with Grace as they share in her terror.”
Grace, the daughter of the investigative journalist Alyssa from Resident Evil Outbreak, technically holds an FBI badge, but her expertise is confined to a safe office desk. Resident Evil Requiem thrusts her into a nightmare when she is tasked with investigating a mysterious death at the Wrenwood Hotel—the very site where her mother was killed years prior.
“Naturally,” Kumazawa added, “she isn’t helpless. She will fight, resist, and evolve as the narrative unfolds. Our hope is that players feel the immense satisfaction of conquering fear alongside her.”
Even seasoned survival horror veterans may find themselves unsettled by Requiem’s latest threat: a relentless stalker that tracks you by scent. According to Kumazawa, this monster’s behavior emphasizes Grace’s vulnerability through terrifying new mechanics, such as crashing through ceilings or visibly sniffing the air to locate its prey, significantly heightening the player’s sense of dread.
By providing two distinct lead characters, Resident Evil Requiem seeks to bridge the gap between “visceral, psychological horror and high-octane action.”
