RE9 Requiem vs Original: Why Capcom May Have Blown It 2026
When I first heard that Capcom had completely scrapped their original vision for Resident Evil 9 in favor of Requiem, my initial reaction was a mix of concern and curiosity. After diving deep into the development changes and analyzing what we’ve lost versus what we’re getting, I can’t shake the feeling that Capcom might be making a risky gamble with one of gaming’s most beloved franchises.
Let me break down what we know: According to leaker Dusk Golem’s recent claims, the original Resident Evil 9 was supposed to directly address the unresolved plot threads from RE3 Remake and Village. That mysterious vial from RE3’s ending? The BSAA soldier twist that left us all stunned at Village’s finale? These narrative threads were apparently meant to be explored with Grace Ashcroft as our protagonist, not in some distant future timeline, but in a more immediate continuation of the story we’ve been following.
The Developer’s Perspective: Why the Change Happened
I’ve spent considerable time analyzing Koshi Nakanishi’s developer diary and the recent Capcom Creator Message videos, and the reasoning behind the change is fascinating yet concerning. Nakanishi revealed that they initially experimented with an online, open-world concept for Requiem – complete with co-op mechanics, healing abilities, and even shield and sledgehammer gameplay elements. When they realized “fans didn’t want it,” they pivoted back to single-player survival horror.
But here’s where my concern kicks in: instead of returning to their original RE9 concept that would have tied up loose ends, they’ve pushed forward with Requiem set 30 years in the future. As someone who’s been following classic gaming franchises since the original PlayStation days, I can’t help but feel like we’re abandoning crucial story elements that fans have been theorizing about for years.
What We’re Losing: The Narrative Continuity Crisis
The original RE9 concept, from what we can piece together, would have been the connective tissue the franchise desperately needs right now. Think about it – we have major unresolved plotlines hanging in the air like the T-Virus itself. The BSAA’s transformation into a potentially villainous organization using BOW soldiers is a massive development that deserves immediate exploration, not a 30-year time skip that renders it potentially irrelevant.
I’ve been following the best Resident Evil games of all time throughout their evolution, and the series has always thrived on continuity and interconnected storylines. When RE7 introduced Ethan Winters, it still maintained connections to the broader universe through Chris Redfield and the BSAA. Village expanded on this beautifully. Now, with Requiem’s timeline placement, we’re essentially hitting a narrative reset button.
The successful franchise evolution pattern I’ve witnessed in fighting game franchises and other long-running series shows that maintaining story continuity while innovating gameplay mechanics is the winning formula. Resident Evil has been part of this tradition since its place among the most influential survival horror experiences.
Grace Ashcroft: A Promising Character in the Wrong Timeline
Don’t get me wrong – Grace Ashcroft has incredible potential. As the daughter of Alyssa Ashcroft from the Outbreak series, she brings a fascinating connection to Raccoon City’s past. Her FBI analyst background and introverted personality could offer a fresh perspective on survival horror, moving away from the combat-hardened veterans we’re used to playing.
But placing her story 30 years in the future means we’re likely saying goodbye to Leon Kennedy, Chris Redfield, and Jill Valentine in their prime. Sure, Leon might make an appearance (eagle-eyed fans have spotted what looks like his jeep in the trailer), but at what capacity? A mentor figure? A brief cameo? After experiencing these characters’ journeys for decades, it feels like we’re being forced to abandon them before their stories are truly complete.
This reminds me of other franchise transitions I’ve analyzed in gaming’s most beloved character rosters – when developers push iconic characters aside too quickly, it often creates a disconnect with the established fanbase.
The Risk-Reward Calculation
From my perspective, Capcom is taking a significant risk here. They’re banking on players being more interested in a fresh start than narrative closure. Looking at the gaming industry’s history with similar franchise decisions, the results are mixed at best. When Konami tried to move Metal Gear forward without properly concluding Big Boss’s story, fans revolted. When 343 Industries initially tried to move Halo beyond Master Chief, the backlash was intense.
The successful franchise evolutions I’ve witnessed – like God of War’s Norse mythology shift or Resident Evil 7’s first-person perspective – maintained narrative continuity while innovating gameplay. They didn’t abandon ongoing storylines; they evolved them. Requiem seems to be doing the opposite: maintaining similar gameplay while abandoning narrative threads.
This pattern of franchise development risks repeats many of the mistakes I’ve seen in multiplayer gaming evolution, where developers sometimes prioritize fresh mechanics over the established community investment in characters and storylines.
What Requiem Gets Right
To be fair, there are aspects of Requiem that have me genuinely excited. The return to Raccoon City, even in its destroyed state, taps into that nostalgic horror that made me fall in love with the franchise. The subtitle “Requiem” – which Art Director Tomonori Takano describes as a tribute to those affected by the Raccoon City outbreak – suggests a thematic depth that could be powerful if executed correctly.
The decision to abandon the online elements shows Capcom is listening to fan feedback. After playing through countless horror game survival experiences, I know that Resident Evil’s strength has always been in its single-player, atmospheric storytelling. Producer Masachika Kawata’s emphasis on “addictive fear” at the heart of gameplay gives me hope that the horror elements will be properly prioritized.
The atmospheric horror approach aligns with what makes supernatural horror gaming so compelling – that sense of isolation and dread that comes from facing unknown threats alone.
Industry Context: Learning from Other Franchise Pivots
When I examine how other major gaming franchises have handled similar narrative transitions, the patterns become clear. The most successful reboots and timeline shifts in gaming history have always balanced respect for established lore with bold new directions. Franchises that completely abandon their narrative foundations often struggle to maintain their core identity.
Looking at the evolution of competitive gaming and how established franchises adapt to changing market demands, the key is always maintaining that connection to what made the series special in the first place. Capcom’s decision to leap 30 years forward feels like cutting that connection entirely.
The Verdict: A Gamble That May Not Pay Off
After analyzing all the available information and developer insights, I believe Capcom is indeed shooting itself in the foot with this decision. They had an opportunity to deliver a game that both innovated and provided closure – the original RE9 concept seemed to offer exactly that. Instead, we’re getting a soft reboot disguised as a sequel, leaving dedicated fans like myself wondering if we’ll ever see resolution to the storylines we’ve invested in.
The gaming community’s mixed reaction speaks volumes. While there’s cautious optimism about Grace Ashcroft and the return to survival horror roots, the concerns about abandoned plot threads and character arcs are legitimate and widespread. Capcom has successfully reinvented Resident Evil before, but those successes came from building upon established foundations, not abandoning them.
As we approach the February 27, 2026 release date, I’ll be watching closely to see if Capcom can prove my concerns wrong. Perhaps Requiem will surprise us all with clever narrative connections and satisfying closure despite the timeline jump. But based on what we know now, it feels like Capcom is prioritizing a fresh start over narrative responsibility, and that’s a dangerous game to play with such a passionate fanbase.
The question remains: Will Requiem be remembered as a bold new direction that revitalized the franchise, or as the moment Capcom abandoned the very storylines that kept us coming back for more? Only time will tell, but I can’t shake the feeling that the original Resident Evil 9 might have been the game we actually needed.