Resident Evil Requiem Trailer Analysis – What is Going On?

Each month brings another show hosted by Geoff Keighley that feels more like an entertaining spectacle rather than a grand occasion, much like Gamescom Opening Night Live, which marks the beginning of the four-day fair. Despite this, it didn’t lack in major announcements or trailers. Some standout reveals included Ghost of Yōtei Legends, Silent Hill (unspecified), Ninja Gaiden 4, and Hollow Knight: Silksong. Resident Evil Requiem appeared to be a smaller preview of what’s yet to come.

The highly anticipated “retro makeover,” as Keighley referred to it, took us back in time, revealing Grace Ashcroft’s younger self. The narrative unfolds with Alyssa Ashcroft, Grace’s mother, arriving home after a presumably long workday. This event prompts Grace, somewhat exasperated, to continue her computer work, giving off a distinct nerdy vibe. Despite her request for her mother’s assistance, she also distances herself when told to rest. However, the phone rings, inquiring about a “Miss Ashcroft,” rather than Mrs., which adds an intriguing twist to the storyline.

Grace responds briefly with a “Yes?” as the caller disconnects. She subsequently shares the news with Alyssa, who’s staring out the window at the rainfall, subtly expressing “They’re coming.” This scene hints at more than just a shared moment between mother and daughter; it foreshadows the tragic event at the Wrenwood Hotel – the night when Alyssa was fatally murdered. This incident left Grace deeply scarred.

After a power outage, Grace and another person exit their room. Grace hurriedly mentions there’s no need for explanations before producing a gun. Upon reaching the ground floor, they run into the building manager. A hooded figure suddenly appears and brutally slays the manager. Strange signs of violence suggest an infection or some other influence. Most notably, the killer’s ruthless and calculated approach to committing the murder stands out.

Following a power outage, Grace, along with another individual, leave their room without explaining anything, only to pull out a gun. Upon reaching the ground floor, they meet the building manager but are confronted by someone in a hood who murders him violently. Traces of blood suggest an infection or some other influence, as it leaks from their eyes, bloody teeth are visible, and the manner of killing is cold-hearted and calculated.

One intriguing aspect of this scene that we’ve encountered previously: Why conceal his head with a plastic bag and then swiftly slit his throat? To muffle any potential screams, that makes sense, but who else was there for him to call out to, disregarding Grace and Alyssa who were already present? Maybe other hotel guests, but it seems the killer might not have wanted him alerting anyone about the whereabouts of Grace and Alyssa.

next, the scene changes to show Alyssa assisting her daughter in calming down while they enter a room. Grace expresses her fear and mentions that they forgot their belongings. Despite Alyssa’s reassurance that they can return later, Grace moves towards an exit and glances back. However, a knife resembling one wielded by the attacker earlier appears ominously silhouetted, suggesting that Alyssa may be about to meet her end at this moment, though her fate remains unclear; judging from Grace’s worried expression, it seems like a critical event for both characters.

Prior to this, Alyssa assures Grace that she will clarify everything to her “someday,” and says, “Just remember, you give me hope.” She also tells her not to forget this. They express their love for each other before the apparent departure of Alyssa.

Indeed, there’s not much to work with here, and it seems deliberate. The missing pieces seem to be intended for interpretation and future releases, as leaker AestheticGamer suggests new content is imminent. However, even if we get more gameplay from this specific flashback, it may not answer all our questions. AestheticGamer claims that this isn’t the beginning but rather a part of roughly the first 30-45 minutes in Requiem. They liken it to Ethan’s home from the start of Resident Evil Village and the trail leading to the village, with some elements of the location added in. In essence, this is a tiny portion of the overall experience so far.

In my perspective as a dedicated fan, it’s evident that there are several compelling theories at play. I can almost picture myself as Alyssa, nervously fidgeting with a bag before departing our shared room – perhaps to discreetly extract a handgun from it. Grace’s distress over the lack of her belongings is another clue. Most significantly, the mysterious phone call confirming the Ashcrofts’ whereabouts seems to suggest they are on the run.

Perhaps Alyssa has orchestrated this as a covert business trip, which might explain Grace’s irritation over her mother’s extended absence due to work-related matters. However, I can’t help but feel that there’s more to it than just a business trip. It seems like Alyssa is being pursued or threatened because of whatever she’s investigating.

One possibility that’s been debated since the trailer’s release: How did Grace manage to survive? The entity pursuing her seems more than capable of closing the gap (and may not be working alone). Was her survival intentional, or is there something unique about Grace that makes her worth saving? Could someone have interfered and protected her from harm? There are whispers suggesting that Grace’s blood could hold significant value, which might explain the scene featuring her strapped to a hospital gurney with an IV line attached.

Could it be that Alyssa discovered something about Grace which made her flee to ensure her safety? One might assume that if they were after Alyssa, they would have left Grace in a secure place. However, given the nature of Alyssa’s findings, she might not trust anyone enough to reveal what she knows. It’s possible that she is keeping quiet because she’s waiting for something or someone before sharing any information with Grace.

As a devoted fan, I must say that this trailer not only intensifies the recurring motifs of light versus darkness but also offers a chilling insight into the narrative. There’s a moment when Grace seems to have an intense reaction, which could be due to stress, asthma, panic, or maybe even being plunged into the darkness that causes it. The struggle she experiences in coming to terms with her mother’s tragic death and possibly blaming herself for it is heart-wrenchingly apparent.

Could it be possible that her mother might still be alive if she hadn’t verified that it was indeed Ms. Ashcroft on the phone? Or perhaps, her mother could have lived if she didn’t make a fuss about demanding their belongings? Joining the FBI was her way to find out who murdered Alyssa, and in doing so, kept her mother hopeful. Yet, the memory of Alyssa’s murder is likely a heavy burden that she must conquer, especially if the rumors about the current-day stalker are indeed true.

There are many questions left unanswered, such as how this event relates to Raccoon City, which players will revisit in its current state. The connection to Umbrella is another mystery that needs solving, and it seems like they always find a way to fit into the story. It feels like all the main characters involved in the Raccoon City incident (and their offspring) are being drawn back to where it all started. While it’s unclear what the ultimate goal of this is, it seems like the developers may be wrapping up the long-running saga. However, we can’t help but wonder about potential future directions for the story.

The game titled “Resident Evil Requiem” is set to release on February 27th, 2026, across platforms including Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC. Despite the abundance of rumors, theories, and trailers, it seems we’ve only barely touched upon what this game has in store. As excited as I am to experience the unfolding story firsthand, the anticipation and puzzle-solving for hidden clues and answers continues to captivate me just as much.

Note: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, GamingBolt as an organization.

2025-08-25 20:44

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