Resident Evil 9 Returns to Post-Outbreak Raccoon City

According to developers in a recent interview, Resident Evil 9's return to the series' original setting, Raccoon City, was driven by their own curiosity. Read on to learn more about their perspective on revisiting this iconic location and how they plan to balance the horror within it.

Resident Evil 9's Return to Raccoon City

Developer Curiosity About the Outbreak's Aftermath

According to director Koshi Nakanishi, Resident Evil 9: Requiem's long-awaited return to Raccoon City stemmed not from a major narrative plan, but from simple curiosity.

"I've always wondered, ‘What becomes of the people involved and those around them afterward?’ and I've wanted to conduct a proper investigation … It's a strange analogy, but it's like forgetting about the rice you put in a cooker, then wondering a week later, ‘What would it be like if I opened it now?’" Nakanishi told 4Gamer in an interview.

Raccoon City was the setting for the original Resident Evil games and the epicenter of events that sparked many of the series' major plot points. This includes the viral outbreak that transformed the city into a wasteland, leaving only a handful of survivors.

One such survivor was Alyssa Ashcroft, a main playable character from Resident Evil Outbreak and the mother of RE9's protagonist, Grace. Her death years later becomes the motivation for Grace's journey into the ruins of Raccoon City. The game will follow Grace's emotional quest for closure regarding her mother's tragic passing, a narrative that Nakanishi confirmed is the reason behind the "Requiem" subtitle.

Director Aims to Pace the Horror Carefully

Beyond the return to Raccoon City, Nakanishi also reflected on past Resident Evil titles and how they influenced his approach to balancing horror in RE9.

In a separate interview with GamesRadar, the director explained his intent to carefully pace the horror sequences. He believes players would become too exhausted without moments of respite. Citing the effective pacing in RE7 and the RE2 remake, he emphasized that moments of cathartic release are just as crucial as the intense horror that precedes them for an optimal player experience.

"You need this dynamic pacing curve," Nakanishi explained to GamesRadar via translation. "You have a very tense, horrific sequence. Then we give you a bit of release or catharsis, letting you come down with more peaceful exploration or exciting combat. Then we gradually build you back up to the horror peak."

New System to Shake Up the Formula

Nakanishi also teased that alongside careful horror pacing, Resident Evil 9 will introduce a new system designed to innovate the experience.

"I want to make the distance between horror tension and release greater than ever in the series," Nakanishi commented. "It will become a complete roller coaster ride between the different aspects of the franchise. I'm very excited for players to eventually understand what I mean."

Resident Evil Requiem launches on February 27, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. For the latest news on the game, check out our article below!