“The past is knocking – but not too loudly”
When a new Resident Evil game is announced, many fans immediately feel a special kind of nostalgia. Hardly any other series has produced so many iconic characters that even the slightest hint of possible returning characters gets the community buzzing. Capcom is now striking exactly this chord with Resident Evil: Requiem, the next big horror project for Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation, and PC.
In an interview with producer Masato Kumazawa – the source comes from a recent Capcom press conference – it was confirmed that the game will bring back characters whose stories are deeply rooted in the events of Raccoon City. Kumazawa said, “Expect characters connected to Raccoon City.” But before this statement could unleash unbridled fantasies, he immediately followed up with a dampener. He emphasized that expectations should be kept deliberately low so that the experience in the game itself can unfold its full effect.
This caution is no coincidence. In the recent past, alleged leaks have surfaced that purportedly show Leon S. Kennedy in an early version of the game. However, Kumazawa clearly stated that these reports are false. This raises the question of whether Capcom is simply trying to dispel false rumors or is intentionally creating a smokescreen to protect surprises.
“Who’s really coming back?” – Between hope, hints, and secrecy
Despite his reticence, Kumazawa hinted that Requiem could bring together several familiar characters, including characters from sections of the series that were long considered complete. The reference to the Outbreak series is particularly exciting. Alyssa is not the only character who could potentially return to the plot. At the same time, however, Kumazawa did not want to name any names and made it clear: “We are not making any firm promises.”
This mixture of hints and deliberately set limits shows how Capcom is currently positioning itself. They want to give fans room for anticipation, but prevent speculation from overshadowing the core of the game. Precisely because the story ties in with Raccoon City’s past, it stands to reason that cameos or returning characters will be used sparingly to enhance the atmosphere rather than overloading the plot with fan service.
Even though it remains completely unclear who will actually appear or what significance the returning characters will have for the new narrative, one thing is already clear: Resident Evil: Requiem is one of the most hotly debated horror titles of the coming year.
The mix of new characters, deliberate secrecy, and the tangible echoes of the past ensure that every little piece of information becomes a puzzle piece of a larger whole—one that fans are eager to solve.
