Insights from a Resident Evil Lore Expert on Requiem's Impact on the Franchise

The unofficial lore expert of Resident Evil has shared his views on the recent title, Resident Evil Requiem, which introduces significant narrative developments to Capcom's long-standing horror series. Known as TheBatman, he has meticulously crafted an extensive timeline that chronicles the Resident Evil universe, dating back approximately 4.5 billion years. His knowledge of the series and its characters is unparalleled, making him a go-to resource for fans. His timeline now encompasses a collection of PDF documents that detail events from the series' origins up to the year 2020, with plans for more updates. The project has grown to thousands of pages, gathering insights from both mainline games and various spin-offs. With the release of Resident Evil Requiem — a game meant to resolve previous plot threads and revisit beloved narratives — how does this influence the established lore? TheBatman has much to say, especially regarding the reimagining of Raccoon City's total destruction by a missile at the conclusion of Resident Evil 3. In a recent discussion, TheBatman elaborated on his ongoing work with the timeline amidst a flurry of releases in the franchise. He has been quietly refining the timeline by incorporating new details and streamlining existing information. The addition of Requiem's content has posed challenges due to alterations in the long-established lore. He intends to offer two versions of the timeline once the Requiem DLC is released: one focusing on the remakes and another based solely on the original games, allowing fans to choose their preferred narrative. When asked about the impact of remakes on the series' lore, TheBatman noted that while the core storylines remain largely intact, the finer details have become problematic. Questions arise regarding character fates and events that differ between original and remake versions, complicating the overall narrative cohesion. This has prompted him to create separate timelines to accurately represent both canons without forcing them together. The timeline discrepancies are notable, especially concerning the outbreak in Raccoon City. In the remakes, the chaos begins on September 25th, while the original games depict a city already in turmoil well before that date, revealing significant differences in the subplots. Regarding spin-off games, TheBatman remarked that Requiem incorporates characters and lore from the Outbreak series, yet these elements cannot seamlessly fit within the remake timeline due to contradictions in events and details. He also pointed out that supplemental materials often enrich the lore, but the remakes lack these additions, leaving gaps in understanding. For newcomers interested in exploring the lore, TheBatman suggests starting with the history of the Progenitor Virus and the formation of Umbrella, as this period provides essential context for understanding the series. He recommends that those who have played Requiem begin with the Remake of RE2, as it offers a glimpse into Raccoon City before its destruction. Reflecting on Requiem, TheBatman expressed enjoyment in revisiting certain characters and storylines. He praised the setting of the Rhodes Hill Chronic Care Centre and the character development of Leon, who displays a more mature perspective as he grapples with past experiences. The portrayal of Sherry's character alongside Leon was also highlighted as a positive aspect of the narrative. In summary, while TheBatman acknowledges his initial skepticism about the retconning of Raccoon City's destruction, he found value in the new narrative directions taken in Resident Evil Requiem.