The new Resident Evil is like a horror story for bedtime that you pick to read: you know it might scare you, but you also know you can shut the book at any time. That’s the trick to horror games. And right now, millions of gamers are picking up that “horror book” again, because Resident Evil Requiem is almost out, and it’s coming at a great time for a horror game resurgence.
Resident Evil Requiem is almost here, and the timing is perfect
Capcom’s next major Resident Evil installment, Resident Evil Requiem, is set to come out on February 27, 2026. It will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2, which means it’s not hiding in a corner of the gaming universe; it’s coming to almost everyone.
Capcom has also labeled Requiem as the ninth core game in the series, developed using the company’s RE Engine. And it’s not making a quiet entrance: Capcom pointed out that the game got “lots of great attention” at Gamescom 2025 and even won a few awards there.
That’s the “big news” part. Now here’s the “why this matters” part: horror isn’t just doing well, it’s trending hard again, in lots of different ways.
Why is everyone talking about Requiem right now
A big franchise game gets attention for the obvious reason: people love the brand. But Requiem has a few extra “magnets” pulling attention towards it.
First, it was announced during the big Summer Game Fest wave in June 2025, and the reporting at the time was all about it being a new beginning that still leans into classic Resident Evil nostalgia (like the memory of Raccoon City).
Second, the buzz isn’t small. Capcom reported that the game quickly surpassed 1 million+ wishlists, which is basically a giant flashing sign that says, “This is something people want.”
Third, Requiem is not simply “more of the same.” Even in Capcom’s own communications about the announcement, the message is clear: survival horror is core, but it’s also supposed to feel more cinematic and high-stakes.
And finally, there’s the complicated modern reality of leaks. In the days leading up to launch, it’s been reported that early copies leaked and Capcom asked people not to share spoilers, with takedowns happening to protect the story. This sort of thing, sadly, ends up boosting conversation because everyone starts talking about it, whispering, “Did you see it? Don’t tell me!”
So, why are horror games making such a comeback, and not just Resident Evil?
Here’s the child-simple explanation: fear can be fun when you’re safe.
A horror game is like a haunted house where you’re holding the flashlight. You’re scared, but you’re also curious. You want to peek around the corner.
But the larger comeback is happening for a few reasons all at once:
1) Big brands showed horror can sell forever
Resident Evil isn’t a niche anymore. Capcom’s own sales figures put the Resident Evil series at 183 million+ lifetime sales, which is an enormous number, and it says to the entire industry, “Yes, scary games can be blockbuster games.”
Capcom’s overall business updates also reflect how well modern Resident Evil games are selling over time, with high lifetime sales figures for games like Resident Evil Village and Resident Evil 4 (remake).
When brands see that kind of success, they quit treating horror as that little side project that might be too scary for audiences.
2) Classic horror legends returned, and fans showed up
Horror is having a “return of the kings” moment.
Konami announced that the Silent Hill 2 remake has sold over 2 million units (physical + digital). That’s a huge indicator that classic horror IPs still have a huge fan base today.
The takeaway is simple: fans didn’t stop loving horror. They were just waiting for some amazing horror.
3) Co-op horror made fear a party
Something shifted in the past years: horror games are no longer just “you alone in the dark.” Now it’s more like “you and your friends screaming together.”
Market analysis on Steam trends has highlighted a huge demand for budget co-op horror, with an overlap between fans of Lethal Company and Phasmophobia.
And you can see the scale of these groups reflected in broader Steam-wide popularity signals as well. Co-op horror games rank high in horror tags by rating/engagement.
When fear is shared, it multiplies faster, since fans clip it, stream it, and share laughs about it later.
4) “Episode-style” horror keeps feeding the internet
Some horror games don’t come out and then just fade away. They come out like episodes in a horror series.
A new one: Poppy Playtime burst onto Steam’s global top-seller list around the time of its Chapter 5 launch, with a large jump in maximum player numbers reported at launch
This “new chapter out” cycle is just what works for the way people live online these days: bursts of excitement, large reactions, lots of sharing.
What makes 2026 horror different from old horror?
Old horror games usually had just one big trick: limited bullets, creepy corridors, and a monster you couldn’t defeat.
Modern horror has more varieties, like an ice cream parlor, except instead of ice cream flavors, you have:
- “Realistic and cinematic fear” (big-budget storytelling, cinematic moments)
- “Nostalgia fear” (remakes, familiar towns, familiar symbols)
- “Friendship fear” (co-op horror, comedic chaos, shared terror)
- “Content-creator fear” (games made to be watched as much as played)
You don’t have to like all of them. You just have to find one that suits you.
The truth behind the return of horror
Horror is a safe space to learn the value of courage.
You enter afraid. You learn the rules. You make it through another hallway. You improve. And in the end, you feel triumphant—as if you conquered the darkness.
This is why horror games keep coming back in waves. And this week, with the impending release of Resident Evil Requiem, the entire genre is riding this wave.
If you’re interested in more straightforward, narrative-style analyses of what’s trending in gaming, technology, and entertainment, just keep reading your daily news selections because the next “big wave” is often closer than you think.
Sources
- https://www.capcom.co.jp/ir/english/news/html/e250916.html
- https://www.engadget.com/gaming/resident-evil-requiem-announced-at-summer-game-fest-2025-231136129.html
- https://www.gamespot.com/articles/resident-evil-requiem-already-has-over-1-million-wishlists/1100-6532670/
- https://blog.playstation.com/2025/06/06/capcom-announces-resident-evil-requiem-year-3-for-street-fighter-6-and-updates-to-onimusha-way-of-the-sword/
- https://www.techradar.com/gaming/capcom-asks-players-not-to-share-resident-evil-requiem-spoilers-ahead-of-launch-after-early-copies-leaked-we-really-want-everyone-to-enjoy-the-games-story
- https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/capcom-sold-a-record-number-of-video-games-over-the-past-nine-months
- https://www.konami.com/games/eu/en/topics/18450/
- https://alineaanalytics.com/blog/steam_april_2025/
