Should you play RE Village before Resident Evil Requiem?

The release date of Resident Evil Requiem (RE9) is drawing near, and it is all set to arrive on February 27, 2026. The upcoming title has left the fans wondering if they need to finish the saga of Ethan Winters, specifically the last entry in the Resident Evil series, i.e., Resident Evil Village.
The short answer is that you can likely enjoy Requiem as a standalone experience, and all you need to know is the backstory behind the Raccoon City events. Nevertheless, the long answer will vary completely if you are looking forward to having an in-depth experience.
Here are all the details that you need to know.

Do you need to play Resident Evil Village before Resident Evil Requiem?

Resident Evil Requiem is a significant departure from the Ethan Winters storyline established in RE7 and Village. Essentially, the upcoming title is set in 2028 and returns the series to a third-person perspective. It shifts the focus back to a veteran Leon S. Kennedy, who is one of the most iconic characters in the history of the franchise. Besides him, there is a new protagonist, Grace Ashcroft, who is the face of the upcoming title.
Given that Resident Evil Requiem focuses on the original Raccoon City Incident and the fallout of the Umbrella Corporation, it will act as a spiritual sequel to Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 4. Accordingly, it won’t be a direct continuation of Resident Evil Village, and you will likely not have to play the same.
If you want to strictly follow Leon S. Kennedy’s character arc, it would be best if you play Resident Evil 2 Remake and Resident Evil 4 Remake before Requiem. They will be more important prerequisites than RE Village. This is because RE Requiem is being marketed as the conclusion of Leon's character.
Nevertheless, Resident Evil Village remains a top-tier experience that showcases the series' ability to innovate, and you can still play it for the experience.

Why you might still want to play Resident Evil Village

While the plot connection is minimal, playing Village before Requiem is beneficial for two main reasons:

• Thematic evolution: Koshi Nakanishi, who directed both RE7 and Village, is also directing Requiem. As a result, playing RE Village will give you a general idea of how he balances action with horror.
• Tying loose ends: There are rumors that Resident Evil Requiem will reference the Megamycete and the BSAA's corruption elements. These were heavily featured in the final hours of Village.

This was all you needed to know about whether you should play RE Village before Requiem.