Resident Evil Requiem Ties Into a Forgotten Classic
▼ Summary
– Resident Evil Requiem’s surprise debut at Summer Games Fest came shortly after a delay announcement and drew from a lesser-known part of the franchise.
– The game introduces Grace Ashcroft, an FBI agent investigating her mother Alyssa’s murder, linking back to Resident Evil Outbreak’s Alyssa Ashcroft.
– Resident Evil Outbreak (2004) and its sequel were online multiplayer spin-offs with technical issues, poor reception, and unclear canonicity until Alyssa’s cameo in RE7.
– Requiem is set 30 years after Raccoon City’s destruction, suggesting a revival of Outbreak’s storyline and potential for other forgotten characters to return.
– The game highlights Capcom’s tendency to revisit old plot threads, showing no story in Resident Evil is truly abandoned.
Resident Evil Requiem’s unexpected connection to a nearly forgotten chapter of the franchise has longtime fans buzzing with excitement. The recent Summer Games Fest reveal delivered two major shocks: its abrupt appearance just minutes after a delay warning, and its deep ties to Resident Evil Outbreak, a cult classic spin-off many assumed Capcom had abandoned.
For newer fans who joined during the series’ recent resurgence, Grace Ashcroft’s introduction in the trailer might not have sparked immediate recognition. But veterans instantly recognized her mother’s name – Alyssa Ashcroft, the investigative reporter from 2004’s Resident Evil Outbreak. This obscure multiplayer experiment let teams of four navigate Raccoon City’s collapse through interconnected scenarios, revisiting iconic locations like the police station and Umbrella’s labs.
Despite strong initial sales, Outbreak struggled with infamously long load times and clunky online infrastructure. As a PlayStation 2 exclusive requiring a separate network adapter, its potential was hamstrung by technical limitations. The improved sequel, File #2, arrived too late to salvage its reputation, reportedly canceling plans for additional scenarios. When Resident Evil 4 reinvented the franchise a year later, the Outbreak games faded into obscurity – until a subtle Easter egg in Resident Evil 7 confirmed Alyssa survived the events, making her the only verifiable Outbreak character in mainline canon.
Now, Requiem seems poised to explore Alyssa’s legacy through her daughter’s investigation, set in Raccoon City’s ruins three decades after the outbreak. Producer Masachika Kawata’s comments place the game in 2028, aligning with the franchise’s 30th anniversary. This surprise revival demonstrates Capcom’s willingness to revisit even its most niche entries – if Outbreak can resurface after 20 years, no abandoned storyline or character is truly gone for good.
The revelation has sparked speculation about other overlooked elements that might return. With Resident Evil’s lore constantly expanding, Requiem could be the first of many deep-cut callbacks, offering hope for fans of forgotten favorites. Whether you’re a newcomer or a veteran who endured those infamous loading screens, this unexpected connection proves the series still has surprises left to uncover.
(Source: Kotaku)
