All the Details on Resident Evil Requiem
The next installment in the Resident Evil series is just around the corner. Resident Evil Requiem is set to drop in February, and Capcom is aiming to deliver some serious scares this time. Longtime fans will be pleased to see the return of Leon S. Kennedy and the familiar setting of Raccoon City, adding an air of mystery and excitement.
As we gear up for this significant addition to the iconic survival horror franchise, which will celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2026, Capcom has been rolling out a wealth of teasers, trailers, and details to build anticipation for Resident Evil Requiem. We’ve gathered all the key information to help you get up to speed before the game launches on PC and consoles.
After Resident Evil 7: Biohazard and Village introduced new characters and narratives, Capcom is revisiting the classic lore that fans know and love to mark three decades of Resident Evil.
In this entry, players will take on the roles of two characters: FBI technical analyst Grace Ashcroft and DSO agent Leon Kennedy. Ashcroft is on the case of a series of bizarre deaths at a hotel in Raccoon City, the same hotel where her mother, Alyssa, met her end about ten years prior. Meanwhile, Kennedy is investigating a different set of strange occurrences that may be linked to the notorious Umbrella Corporation. Players will switch between these two characters as their stories intertwine.
The speculation surrounding Leon’s role in the upcoming sequel has been confirmed! Fans had long wondered if he would be a playable character in Requiem, and after some teasing from the developers, it was revealed that he indeed makes an appearance. The big question now is whether other familiar faces from the series will show up.
Resident Evil Requiem is scheduled for release on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch 2, and PC on February 27, 2026, with no plans for PS4 or Xbox One versions.
Resident Evil 7 Biohazard was the first mainline game to fully embrace a first-person perspective, although the series has dabbled in first-person gameplay in earlier spin-offs. Its sequel, Village, began in first-person but later added a third-person option. Requiem will allow players to toggle between first- and third-person perspectives right from the start.
If you prefer the first-person view from RE7 and Village, you can stick with that. But if you enjoy seeing your character’s back as they flee from zombies, Requiem has you covered with a third-person option. Interestingly, players can choose to have Grace’s segments in first-person while Leon’s are in third-person, or vice versa. So many choices!
In a special ‘Creators’ Message’ video from Capcom last June, director Koshi Nakanishi shared the game’s philosophy, focusing on creating an emotional experience that resonates with survival horror fans:
“Our core concept for this game was ‘addictive fear.’ There’s a unique catharsis that comes from facing your fears, creating an urge to keep playing. That intense focus, while frightening, makes for an engaging experience. This was our starting point for Requiem.”
While the series has shifted back toward horror since Biohazard in 2017, this approach is music to the ears of survival horror enthusiasts. Many characters in Resident Evil are well-versed in firearms and adept at surviving against hordes of zombies and monstrous foes. Grace, with her relative inexperience, serves as a conduit for players to connect with the character’s emotional journey.
In contrast, the segments featuring Leon will lean more into action, reminiscent of Resident Evil 4, where he can wield shotguns, rifles, and even enemy weapons. In a recent showcase, we saw Leon pick up an enemy’s chainsaw, finally getting a chance to turn the tables after years of being pursued by chainsaw-wielding maniacs.
Initially, Capcom considered making Leon the central character of Requiem. However, given his extensive experience and likely PTSD, it didn’t seem fitting. Nakanishi noted in the “Creator’s Message” video:
“Creating a horror game centered around [Leon] is challenging. He wouldn’t flinch at something like a falling bucket. No one wants to see Leon scared by every little thing. So he’s not the best fit for horror.”
This led to the introduction of Grace as the protagonist for Requiem. While she brings a fresh perspective to the game, the developers aim to avoid a straightforward shooting spree with every enemy encounter. “Of course, there will be boss battles,” Nakanishi mentioned in a joint interview at the Tokyo Game Show. He added:
“However, instead of defeating enemies in a flashy way, like in games that focus on gunplay, the style will be more akin to Resident Evil and Resident Evil 2, where players expand their exploration in a confined space and use their wits to overcome challenges.”
Capcom is also committed to honoring the series’ legacy, ensuring that familiar elements remain. For instance, a hotel maid might still be seen cleaning mirrors and windows, which players can use to their advantage while sneaking around as Grace.
… uh… a strange final note, but yes, that’s indeed a feature you can expect.
