Resident Evil: Requiem is Capcom’s next survival-horror blockbuster, marking the ninth main installment in the iconic Resident Evil franchise. The series began in 1996 and has sold over 174 million units worldwide by mid-2025. Requiem continues that legacy, launching Feb. 27, 2026 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC (Steam & Epic), and Nintendo Switch 2. Set during Resident Evil’s 30th anniversary, Requiem returns players to the aftermath of Raccoon City’s outbreak with intense horror and action (the game even won four awards at Gamescom 2025 ahead of launch).
Franchise Background and Introduction
- Resident Evil Legacy: Known for survival-horror gameplay, the Resident Evil series blends tense exploration, item management, and cinematic scares. Iconic titles (RE1 REVillage) have explored both first-person and over-the-shoulder perspectives, spawning remakes and spin-offs. By 2025 the franchise boasts over 174 million sales worldwide.
- New Direction: Unlike RE7 and Village’s first-person view, Requiem lets players toggle between first-person (for immersion) and third-person (for action) at any time. Capcom touts this as giving players “two different games in one,” maximizing terror and exhilaration.
- Dual Protagonists: Requiem introduces two playable heroes FBI analyst Grace Ashcroft and veteran agent Leon S. Kennedy each with distinct gameplay styles. Grace’s chapters emphasize survival horror (limited ammo, tense exploration), while Leon’s focus on action combat (parrying, melee finishers).
Gameplay Overview
- Grace Ashcroft’s Gameplay: Grace begins trapped in a zombie-infested sanatorium, equipped with scarce resources. She can stealthily evade a relentless “stalker” monster (like Mr. X/Lady D in previous games). Grace can craft special injectors using infected blood from downed enemies for quick takedowns. Her signature weapon is the Requiem Revolver extremely powerful but very limited in ammo. Players must weigh risk-vs-reward: kill zombies for crafting blood but risk alerting enemies.
- Leon Kennedy’s Gameplay: Leon’s segments are action-heavy, akin to RE4’s tense combat. He wields firearms and the series’ trademark hatchet (for parrying attacks). Leon can shoot off enemy limbs to disable attacks and uses brutal melee finishers (e.g. chainsaw attacks) when enemies are staggered. Uniquely, he can pick up weapons from fallen foes for special combat options.
- Perspective Switch: Requiem allows on-the-fly switching between first-person and third-person viewpoints a first in a mainline Resident Evil launch title. First-person heightens horror immersion (dark corners, unseen threats), while third-person gives a broader view for action.
- Zombies and Enemies: Many infected zombies retain habits from life (a chef zombie cooking, a singer still singing, etc.). Observing and exploiting these behaviors (for example, sneaking by or luring them into traps) is part of Grace’s strategy. This human-like AI adds a fresh twist to the undead encounters. The game’s flagship monster the unholy stalker chasing Grace can even follow her through walls and ceilings.
- New Mechanics: Classic Resident Evil save systems return on Standard (Classic) difficulty: saving requires collectible ink ribbons for Grace, forcing strategic saving points. A new Casual mode adds aim assist and free saving for story focus. Requiem also introduces weapon crafting (using alien tech) and puzzles tied to previous RE lore (the codeword “Elpis” connects plot threads).
- Key Innovations:
- Crafting with Infected Blood: Grace can craft syringes or boosters from zombie blood for special effects.
- Switchable Cameras: Move seamlessly between FP and TP views, catering to horror fans and action fans alike.
- Survivor AI: Zombies follow routines, adding stealth opportunities not seen in earlier games.
- Difficulty Options: Multiple modes allow newcomers to enjoy story, while veterans get classic survival challenge (ink-ribbon saves).
Storyline and Setting
Requiem’s narrative ties closely into Resident Evil canon and longtime fan expectations. The official synopsis teases a mystery that “uncovers the hidden truth behind the outbreak in Raccoon City”. The story begins when Grace Ashcroft investigates a corpse with an unknown disease at the abandoned Wrenwood Hotel the same hotel where her mother was murdered eight years prior. As Grace delves deeper, she unwittingly unravels Umbrella Corp’s secrets and the true cause of Raccoon City’s bioterror disaster.
Leon S. Kennedy joins the investigation from the outside, tracing incidents tied to ex-Umbrella scientist Victor Gideon. Their chapters run parallel: Grace’s arc is a classic biohazard mystery-horror, while Leon’s is more “death-defying action”. Both stories intersect around “Elpis,” a key term linking Grace’s past, her mother’s murder, and the current outbreak.
The game returns to Raccoon City (decimated since RE3: Nemesis) and other series locales. Haunted mansions, urban ruins, and gothic architecture feature throughout. At least one segment begins in a sanatorium overrun by the undead. With Capcom promising continuity from RE6 (2012), Requiem advances the main timeline, roughly 30 years after Raccoon’s fall. Fans will spot callbacks to RE2/3 (puzzles, weapon upgrades) while new story twists play on grief and legacy.
Platforms and Release Details
Requiem launches Feb 27, 2026 on all current platforms:
- PlayStation 5
- Xbox Series X|S
- Windows PC (Steam and Epic Games Store)
- Nintendo Switch 2 (cloud version).
Pre-orders opened in late October 2025. The Standard Edition retails around $69.99, while a Deluxe Edition ($89.99) adds digital extras (costumes, weapons, etc.). Notably, Requiem will be the first Resident Evil title on the Epic Games Store (with exclusive Fortnite crossover items). A physical Switch 2 “Pro Controller” themed after Requiem debuts with the game.
Available Editions & Bonuses: Capcom announced Standard and Deluxe editions (the latter includes extra costumes, weapon skins, a SteelBook case, and more). Pre-orderers on Epic Store get Grace Ashcroft outfits for Fortnite. A Grace Ashcroft amiibo launches Summer 2026 the first-ever RE series amiibo.
No playable demo will be available before launch (Capcom confirmed this and fans remain disappointed). However, tech integrations like Nvidia’s DLSS 4, path tracing, and a GeForce NOW launch-day release suggest Capcom is optimizing Requiem for next-gen visuals.
Developers and Production Background
Resident Evil: Requiem is developed and published by Capcom using their RE ENGINE (the same engine behind RE7, Village, Monster Hunter Rise, etc.). The project is directed by Koshi Nakanishi (RE7 director) and produced by veteran team members (Masachika Kawata, Masato Kumazawa). According to Capcom, Requiem was initially conceived as an ambitious online multiplayer game but was refocused into a single-player experience in early development a decision made to meet fan expectations for a classic Resident Evil experience.
At Gamescom 2025, early Requiem demos won praise (4 awards) even before release. Capcom notes fan feedback from RE7/Village called for a return to Raccoon City’s core narrative, which shaped Requiem’s story focus. The game leverages Capcom’s decades of horror expertise: high-end enemy AI, dynamic lighting (first-person flashlight), and intense audio design. Composer Akiyuki Morimoto (RE Village) returns to score a haunting orchestral soundtrack for Requiem.
Trailers and Teasers
Capcom has steadily teased Requiem through trailers and showcases:
- Road to Requiem (Oct 2025): Hosted by Maggie Robertson (Lady D’s voice actress), this video recapped RE lore and announced pre-orders.
- Gamescom Trailer (Aug 2025): Early footage emphasizing atmosphere and character tensions.
- Leon’s Return Trailer (Dec 2025): Debuted at The Game Awards 2025, revealing Leon Kennedy in action. It confirmed dual protagonists and briefly showed both Grace and Leon fighting monsters.
- Resident Evil Showcase (Jan 15, 2026): A deep-dive live stream showcasing 15+ minutes of gameplay and trailers. Here Capcom detailed Leon’s and Grace’s gameplay (as covered above) and officially confirmed all platforms.
The trailers’ motto is “Requiem for the dead, nightmare for the living”, highlighting the game’s horror ethos. Cinematic teasers emphasize spooky settings (dilapidated hotel, shadowy figures) and tease Grace’s tragic connection. All footage so far hints that Requiem will blend classic scares (haunted hotels) with blockbuster action.
Pre-order, Editions, and Bonuses
- Pre-order Bonuses: Early purchase grants in-game cosmetics (extra outfits, weapon skins) and bonus Deluxe extras.
- Special Editions: The Deluxe (SteelBook) Edition includes a copy of the game, the five costume pack, weapon skins, screen filters, weapon charms, and a SteelBook case.
- Fortnite Crossover: Capcom’s Epic Store debut ties into Fortnite Epic buyers get Grace outfit and themed gear post-launch.
- Controllers & Amiibo: Nintendo will sell a Requiem-themed Switch 2 Pro controller on day one, and the first-ever Resident Evil amiibo (Grace Ashcroft) arrives Summer 2026.
Several retailers already list Requiem pre-orders (Steam, Xbox Store, PSN, Epic, Best Buy, etc.), reflecting strong retailer confidence. The $69.99 base price is in line with recent AAA titles (next-gen pricing was implemented for Village in 2021).
Fan and Critical Expectations
Requiem is one of 2026’s most anticipated games. Fans have high expectations for a blend of intense horror and action, a return to Raccoon City lore, and the balance of Leon’s heroism with Grace’s vulnerability. Early previews and screenshots (Grace trapped in dark corridors, Leon wielding a chainsaw) have generated buzz on forums and social media.
Critics praised the two-protagonist approach and the innovation of zombie behaviors in previews. Gamescom awards and positive hands-on impressions signal strong confidence in Requiem’s quality. However, some fan frustration arose over the lack of a pre-launch demo.
Industry analysts note Requiem’s role in Capcom’s strategy: it’s a tentpole release alongside VR titles and remakes, aimed at boosting Capcom’s market share. The integration of Nvidia DLSS 4 and console features also suggests high production values. In summary, the fanbase expects Requiem to deliver a “return to roots” experience with modern polish.
Sources: Authoritative previews, Capcom press releases, and gaming journalism were used throughout.
For more details on Resident Evil: Requiem, see the official Capcom site and recent Game Showcase coverage.
