While the return of veteran characters always generates excitement, the beating heart of Resident Evil Requiem's terrifying narrative is its brand-new protagonist: Grace Ashcroft. Search volume for "Who is Grace Ashcroft" skyrocketed after the initial Summer Game Fest trailer, as fans scrambled to connect her to Capcom's broader lore.
In this guide, we dive deep into Grace's backstory, her ties to the Raccoon City incident, and how her gameplay mechanics are built from the ground up to terrify players.
Intel Briefing
1. Who is Grace Ashcroft?
Set roughly 30 years after the destruction of Raccoon City, Grace Ashcroft is introduced as a rookie FBI Analyst. Unlike Chris Redfield or Leon S. Kennedy, Grace is not a seasoned combat operative. She is analytical, highly intelligent, and wholly unprepared for the biological horrors she encounters.
Her journey begins when she travels to an abandoned hotel in the American Midwest—a location tied to a traumatic event from her past. Grace's mission is personal. She is investigating a mysterious string of occult-like deaths at the very location where her mother was brutally murdered eight years prior.
2. The Alyssa Ashcroft Connection (Resident Evil: Outbreak)
For long-time fans of the series, Grace's last name is no coincidence. She is the daughter of Alyssa Ashcroft, the investigative reporter and survivor from the wildly ambitious (but often overlooked) PS2 spin-off, Resident Evil: Outbreak (2003).
- The Legacy: Alyssa escaped Raccoon City and spent her life exposing Umbrella's secrets. Her murder at the midwestern hotel represents a massive loose end in the franchise's overarching narrative.
- Pre-Order Bonus: Players who pre-order the Standard or Deluxe edition will unlock the "Classic Alyssa Costume" for Grace, allowing her to don her mother's iconic red jacket and skirt.
3. Pure Survival Horror Gameplay
While Leon brings explosive action, Grace Ashcroft in Resident Evil Requiem represents the classic, terrifying roots of the series. As noted by critics in the official review thread, her sections are masterclasses in tension, highly reminiscent of the Baker House in Resident Evil 7 or the initial RPD exploration in the RE2 Remake.
Key Mechanics for Grace:
- Severe Resource Scarcity: You will rarely have enough bullets to kill everything. Evasion is mandatory.
- Atmospheric Puzzles: Her FBI analytical skills are represented through complex, multi-stage puzzles scattered throughout the decaying hotel.
- Vulnerability: Grace lacks Leon's parry mechanics and powerful roundhouse kicks. When a monster gets close, her defensive options are limited to desperate shoves and using environmental hazards to escape.
- Stealth & Hiding: Certain grotesque enemies cannot be killed with conventional weapons. Grace must rely on shadows, sound management, and hiding spaces (lockers, under beds) to survive.
Grace Ashcroft is poised to become a beloved addition to the survivor roster. Prepare for her anxiety-inducing chapters on February 27, 2026, across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2.