Developers at Capcom have showcased Resident Evil Requiem, the ninth mainline entry in the survival horror series, emphasizing a blend of classic and action-oriented gameplay through protagonists Leon Kennedy and Grace Ashcroft. Director Koshi Nakanishi addressed fan concerns by comparing the game's multi-protagonist approach to sushi, assuring it avoids the pitfalls of Resident Evil 6. Hands-on sessions highlight a pendulum of tension and release in a zombie-infested hospital setting.
Resident Evil Requiem, set for release on February 27, 2026, marks the 30th anniversary of the franchise and introduces a generational shift with returning hero Leon S. Kennedy and newcomer Grace Ashcroft. In recent previews, players experienced about three hours of a near-final build at the Rhodes Hill Chronic Care Center, a semi-open hospital overrun by zombies.
Grace's sections evoke the survival horror of Resident Evil 7 and the Resident Evil 2 Remake, played in first-person with scarce resources. Players scavenge for keys, herbs, and ammo while navigating locked doors and escalating threats, including a sinister doctor monitoring via CCTV. "The idea is that, by combining them together, they are more than the sum of their parts," director Koshi Nakanishi explained in an interview, using a sushi analogy to describe how Leon's third-person, action-focused style—reminiscent of the Resident Evil 4 Remake—complements Grace's tense exploration without diluting the series' identity.
Leon arrives later, tearing through areas Grace previously explored, with persistent changes like relocated zombies or collected items affecting his path. Enemies retain human traits post-transformation: light-sensitive zombies paw at switches, blindfolded ones react to noise, and 'Blister Heads' reanimate from downed foes. 'Chunks,' overweight zombies, absorb bullets, while craftable injectors offer explosive solutions.
Nakanishi emphasized Leon's gameplay includes exploration, puzzles, and horror beyond action trailers. Speculation from previews suggests Leon carries a deadly neck infection, potentially leading to a sacrificial end, symbolized by gifting Grace the powerful 'Requiem' revolver—named after a mass for the dead. The inciting incident involves Grace's mother, Alyssa Ashcroft. This interplay creates a 'graph of tension and release,' swinging between panic and relief, promising a focused evolution of Resident Evil's strengths.
