Resident Evil Requiem: Classic Horror Meets Action

Capcom recently held a dedicated Resident Evil Showcase, promising “brand new gameplay and news” for the upcoming title Resident Evil Requiem. The event aired globally at 2pm PT, 5pm ET, and 10pm UK, followed by a post-show discussion stream. While expectations among fans were extremely high—especially with the game just weeks away from release—the presentation ultimately focused on a narrow but meaningful set of updates centered entirely on Requiem.

Although the showcase did not dramatically expand the known story or setting, it reinforced Capcom’s core vision: Resident Evil Requiem is designed as a hybrid experience, balancing survival horror tension with action-heavy gameplay. This duality is embodied in its two protagonists, Leon S. Kennedy and Grace Ashcroft, whose gameplay styles, pacing, and even save mechanics differ substantially.

Release Date and Platforms

Capcom confirmed that Resident Evil Requiem launches on February 27, 2026. The game will be available across all major platforms, including PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and Nintendo Switch 2. This wide release signals Capcom’s confidence that Requiem is not a niche experiment, but a mainline entry intended for the broadest possible audience.

Leon S. Kennedy Returns—With a Twist

One of the most celebrated moments leading up to the showcase was the confirmation that Leon S. Kennedy would be playable. Leon’s return to the main series comes after the massive success of the Resident Evil 4 Remake, but Capcom faced a challenge: Leon’s established identity as a highly capable, combat-oriented agent risks undermining the fear central to survival horror.

Director Koshi Nakanishi addressed this directly during the showcase. Leon’s gameplay in Resident Evil Requiem is intentionally action-focused, drawing clear inspiration from Resident Evil 4. Leon can parry enemy attacks, though this time he uses a hatchet instead of a knife. The mechanic functions similarly and can be sharpened to maintain durability.

Leon can also target specific body parts to control the battlefield—shooting knees to stagger enemies or disarm them before closing in. In one standout example shown during the showcase, Leon parries a chainsaw-wielding enemy, shoots the attacker, and then takes the chainsaw for himself. It is a striking demonstration of how far his combat proficiency has evolved.

Grace Ashcroft: Fear Re-enters the Equation

To balance Leon’s action-heavy segments, Capcom introduced Grace Ashcroft as a second protagonist. Grace lacks Leon’s combat training, and that vulnerability is central to her gameplay identity. According to Nakanishi, Grace’s sections are modeled after Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 7, emphasizing tension, limited resources, and psychological horror.

Grace explores eerie environments such as large mansions and confined interiors, where avoiding combat is often the smartest option. While she does carry a weapon—a large-caliber assault revolver named “Requiem”—ammunition is scarce, forcing players to carefully consider every encounter.

This contrast between Leon and Grace allows Resident Evil Requiem to deliver what Capcom describes as “an emotional range unlike any other Resident Evil game to date.” Fear and power coexist, but never at the same time.

First-Person or Third-Person Freedom

Capcom confirmed that both Leon’s and Grace’s campaigns can be played in either first-person or third-person perspective. However, the showcase footage suggests a deliberate thematic preference: Grace’s segments are most often presented in first-person, enhancing immersion and vulnerability, while Leon’s sections frequently appear in third-person, reinforcing his action-oriented style.

This flexibility allows players to tailor the experience to their comfort level while still preserving the intended emotional impact of each character’s journey.

Difficulty Settings and the Return of Ink Ribbons

Resident Evil Requiem will feature at least three difficulty settings. Casual mode is designed for players who want to focus on story, offering generous aim assist and reduced pressure. Standard mode provides a more balanced challenge.

The standout option is Standard (Classic). In this mode, Grace must collect ink ribbons to save her progress at typewriters—a direct callback to classic Resident Evil titles. Leon, notably, does not share this restriction, further differentiating the two protagonists.

This asymmetric design choice reinforces the idea that Grace’s survival is fragile and uncertain, while Leon operates with more confidence and tactical control.

A New Crafting System Powered by Infected Blood

The showcase introduced a new crafting mechanic unique to Requiem. Certain items can only be crafted using infected blood obtained by killing zombies. While Grace is not built for frequent combat, she must sometimes take risks to gather this resource.

In one particularly graphic example shown during gameplay, Grace injects a zombie with a concoction made from infected blood, causing it to explode violently. The mechanic underscores the game’s body-horror roots while adding meaningful risk-reward decisions to combat encounters.

Zombies With Echoes of Humanity

Perhaps the most unsettling revelation from the showcase is that zombies in Resident Evil Requiem are no longer purely mindless. Some retain fragments of their former identities. A custodian continues cleaning long after infection. Another zombie repeatedly presses elevator buttons. Most disturbingly, one appears capable of holding a calm, human-like conversation with Grace.

Capcom has not fully explained this phenomenon, but it suggests a deeper narrative mystery and possibly a different strain or evolution of the virus. Players are encouraged to observe and exploit these behaviors, adding a new layer of environmental storytelling and strategy.

The Mystery of “Elpis”

Near the end of the showcase, Leon references a secret connected to something called “Elpis.” Capcom offered no explanation, but the term appears linked to the murder of Grace’s mother, Alyssa, and possibly to a bite mark seen on Leon in trailers.

For now, Elpis remains one of Requiem’s central narrative mysteries, clearly intended to unfold through gameplay rather than pre-release exposition.

Merchandising, Collaborations, and Extras

A significant portion of the showcase highlighted real-world products tied to Resident Evil Requiem. Capcom revealed a collaboration with watchmaker Hamilton, producing two limited-edition watches worn in-game by Leon and Grace, with only 2,000 units of each available.

Additional tie-ins include amiibo support, a themed Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller, character figurines, orchestral concerts, and a Deluxe Edition of the game featuring bonus content. While this segment felt heavily commercial, it reinforced Capcom’s belief in Requiem as a flagship release.

A Carefully Balanced Future for Resident Evil

The creators behind Resident Evil Requiem have been clear: this game is not purely survival horror, nor purely action horror. It is intentionally both. By dividing its experience between Leon and Grace—two characters who play, save, and survive differently—Capcom is attempting to satisfy longtime fans while continuing to evolve the franchise.

With its February 27 release approaching, Resident Evil Requiem stands as one of the most ambitious entries in the series. Whether players crave the dread of limited resources or the thrill of precision combat, Requiem promises an experience that honors the past while pushing Resident Evil into new territory.