Resident Evil: How a 90s Horror Game Still Scares Us 30 Years Later

The latest installment in the long-running survival horror franchise, Resident Evil Requiem, is scheduled for release on February 27, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, and Xbox Series X|S, according to Capcom.

The ninth mainline title in the Resident Evil series, Requiem builds on a legacy that began with 1989’s Sweet Home on the Famicom, a role-playing game that Capcom producer Tokuro Fujiwara believed could establish horror as its own distinct genre. Although Sweet Home never saw international release, it laid the groundwork for what would become Resident Evil, according to Alex Aniel, author of Itchy, Tasty, a history of the series.

The original Resident Evil, released in 1996, distinguished itself from the arcade-focused games popular at the time by emphasizing vulnerability over power. This approach, influenced by George A. Romero’s “Dead” trilogy and the 1992 adventure game Alone in the Dark, featured characters investigating disappearances at a mansion owned by the sinister Umbrella Corporation. The game’s visual style, a compromise necessitated by the PlayStation’s hardware limitations, combined 3D characters with pre-rendered 2D backgrounds and fixed camera angles, creating a claustrophobic and unsettling atmosphere.

This emphasis on tension, limited resources, and a sense of vulnerability has remained a hallmark of the series. Even as the camera perspective evolved in later installments – moving to an over-the-shoulder view in Resident Evil 4 and first-person in Resident Evil 7 – characters consistently face scarcity of ammunition, limited save points, and restricted inventory space. This design philosophy positions Resident Evil closer to classic horror literature than to power fantasies, where characters are portrayed as victims navigating perilous environments.

Resident Evil frequently references established horror tropes, and films. Hideki Kamiya, director of Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil Zero, drew inspiration from Alien and Aliens, exemplified by the parasitic creatures that rupture their hosts in Resident Evil 2. Similarly, Resident Evil 4 and Resident Evil 7 incorporate elements reminiscent of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, featuring isolated settings and families of violent killers.

The series has also demonstrated an ability to adapt to changing cultural tastes, incorporating elements of gothic horror, science fiction horror, and folk horror. This versatility allows Resident Evil to reflect contemporary anxieties, a point underscored by the COVID-19 pandemic, which, according to University of Montreal professor Bernard Perron, heightened awareness of the dangers posed by viruses and the potential for corporate malfeasance, themes central to the Resident Evil narrative.

Capcom is offering multiple editions of Resident Evil Requiem, including a deluxe edition with additional costumes, weapon skins, charms, screen filters, and a custom sound pack. A steelbook deluxe edition will also be available, featuring a steelbook case and limited edition lenticular card. Pre-ordering the game grants players a bonus costume for the character Grace Ashcroft.

Beyond the game itself, Capcom has announced several related products. An original Resident Evil Requiem-themed Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller will launch alongside the game. The company will also release its first Amiibo figure, featuring Grace Ashcroft, in Summer 2026. A “Resident Evil Generation Pack” for Nintendo Switch 2 will include Resident Evil Requiem, Resident Evil 7 biohazard Gold Edition, and Resident Evil Village Gold Edition. The game is also coming to Fortnite, with players who order through the Epic Games Store receiving a Grace Ashcroft skin.

Resident Evil Requiem is currently available for pre-order on PlayStation 5, Steam, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and the Epic Games Store.