Legacy of a Survivor: The Backstory of ‘Resident Evil: Requiem’s’ New Heroine, Grace Ashcroft

For two decades, Capcom has explored the sprawling, terrifying world of Resident Evil, but much of the series’ history has been confined to the main, numbered entries. Now, with the highly anticipated Resident Evil: Requiem, the developers are pulling from a lesser-known corner of the lore to craft a story with deeply personal stakes. At Gamescom 2025’s Opening Night Live, a new story trailer for the game provided a major reveal, giving us a deep dive into the backstory of the new protagonist, Grace Ashcroft. The footage not only confirmed her connection to a character from a beloved spin-off but also set the stage for a tragic and compelling narrative that brings a forgotten piece of Raccoon City’s past to the forefront. This is not just a new chapter; it’s a legacy.

Alyssa Ashcroft’s Daughter: A Fateful Return to the Past

The trailer opened with a young Grace Ashcroft, a technical analyst for the FBI, receiving a mysterious phone call that immediately cuts out, plunging her and her mother, Alyssa Ashcroft, into darkness. For long-time fans of the franchise, the name “Alyssa Ashcroft” is a powerful piece of fan service. She was a playable character and an investigative journalist in the 2003 co-op game, Resident Evil: Outbreak. Alyssa was one of the few Raccoon City survivors who managed to escape the city before it was nuked, and she went on to write about the events that transpired. This is a crucial detail, as the trailer reveals that in the present day, Grace is investigating a series of mysterious deaths at the very same Wrenwood Hotel where her mother was murdered eight years prior. The game is set to take place 30 years after the destruction of Raccoon City, and Grace is returning to a place that took her mother’s life. The trailer shows that she is a bright and capable character, but she is clearly still haunted by the loss of her mother, a detail that gives the game a profound emotional weight.

The developers have stated that Grace is not a soldier like Chris Redfield or a secret agent like Leon S. Kennedy. She is a technical analyst, a new type of protagonist for the franchise who will rely on her wits, her intellect, and her skills to survive. This is a refreshing change of pace and it creates a new kind of survival horror experience. Her journey is not about simply killing monsters; it’s about solving a mystery, unraveling a decades-long conspiracy, and uncovering the truth behind her mother’s death. This personal, emotional connection to the story is a massive upgrade and it will make players feel more invested in her journey than ever before. The story is a brilliant move that rewards long-time fans of the series and provides a fresh, new entry point for newcomers.

A Tragic Past and a Legacy of Hope

The trailer showcased a powerful, tragic flashback sequence where a young Grace and her mother, Alyssa, are trying to escape the Wrenwood Hotel as the lights go out. A dark, hooded figure brutally attacks the hotel manager, leaving the two women to fend for themselves. In the chaos, Alyssa tells Grace to “never forget that she is her hope,” a poignant line that suggests that there is more to Grace than meets the eye. The trailer ends with a terrifying shot of Alyssa being attacked by an unknown assailant, a moment that solidifies the horror of the event and the weight of Grace’s past. This is a story that is not just about survival; it’s about a daughter who is trying to find the truth about her mother’s murder, and a legacy that has been passed down from one generation to the next. The game is said to have a dual-narrative, as Grace will be fighting the new outbreak in the present, while uncovering the events of the past. The hooded figure and the grotesque monsters that Grace will face are a clear manifestation of her inner turmoil and the tragic events that shaped her life. This psychological and emotional layer to the gameplay is a perfect fit for a franchise that has always excelled at blending its action with its story. The game is poised to be a return to the series’ roots, a true survival horror experience that focuses on a rich narrative and a deep sense of personal dread. The city of Raccoon City may be gone, but its ghosts are still haunting the living, and Grace Ashcroft is a living, breathing testament to that fact. Her story is a powerful, tragic new chapter, and it is a story that is long overdue.