Today, Capcom held a Resident Evil showcase as they ramp up the promotion around the next title in the franchise, Resident Evil Requiem. The showcase gave us a ton of information ahead of the games launch next month. So what all did we learn? Let’s dig in.
Leon vs. Grace: What’s the Difference?
In the first section of the showcase, Resident Evil Requiem’s game director Koshi Nakanishi went into detail about the one aspect that fans were most curious about. How Grace and Leon’s play-styles will differ in their respective campaigns. He went on to say that the two separate character’s and how their story feels will be similar to other entries that have come out in the past five years. Grace’s story will be more focused on the horror aspects that we know and love that appeared in games such as the Resident Evil 2 Remake and Resident Evil 7. Leon’s adventure will be more comparable to entries like the Resident Evil 4 Remake.
Leon’s gameplay is an evolution on the Resident Evil 4 formula, with overwhelming odds and tense gameplay portions where the focus is almost entirely on shooting and being strategic with your shots throughout the fights. Grace’s on the other hand focuses on the more claustrophobic aspects of a horror game and gives you as the player choices on how they want to approach a fight. Going gung ho is not always the best option when playing as Grace, but for those tense moments when you have no other choice, there is weapon for this exact scenario –the appropriately named Requiem revolver. This ‘large caliber assault revolver’ as they call it is the ultimate get out of jail free card and looks to be nothing less than a one-shot to any basic enemy.
You can also experience the violence on both sides in either 3rd person or 1st person, so that adds a layer of perspective for any player that prefers to have the freedom to choose. The simplest way to put it would be Grace is stuck in a nightmare with no way out while Leon is cosplaying as John Wick. Two sides of the same coin in an interconnected story that presents new and familiar beats in the same breath. The gaps between tension and release have always been one of the staples of the Resident Evil series, and it looks like this title is challenging players to embrace both sides of the madness.
The director goes on to say that this was always the intent behind the games structure –balancing the moments of sheer terror with the seconds of peace in between. As someone who has always leaned towards the Resident Evil titles for the adrenaline rush they give, it is reassuring to see that we are heading towards a perfect hybridization of the horror of the newer titles, the tense action of the originals.
The Story: Two Sides of the Same Coin
From a story perspective, the game will flip-flop back and forth between Leon and Grace as they fight their way through the zombie hordes. Since Requiem is set in a post Resident Evil 6 world, Leon is still working for the DSO, the Division of Security Operations, as they continue their fight against the various bioterrorism organizations around the world. Most of us hardened fans know that Leon has been through hell and back multiple times at this point in his career, but Koshi Nakanishi makes a point to say that “it’s likely that he’ll be pushed to his absolute limit this time” really drawing attention towards what kind of tale we can expect.
When we talk about the real stars of the show, the zombies of course, Koshi Nakanishi starts off this next section with a new addition to the lore of the undead –they are able to retain characteristics from when they were alive. This adds an interesting premise to the Resident Evil series that we haven’t really seen in action. Sure, we could argue that the Spanish villagers from Resident Evil 4 acted normal outside of their aggressive actions towards Leon and other outsiders, but that was the Las Plagas parasite. Though we don’t know for sure what the exact virus is named yet in Resident Evil Requiem, we can only guess it is a hybrid version of those we had seen in prior games –be that the Progenitor virus seen in the original RE titles and the Mutamycete seen in RE7 or something much more sinister.
The Gameplay: New Crafting and Old Friends
Koshi Nakanishi also gives us a glance into the new crafting system that now gives us a flurry of different injector options that can be created by using none other than infected blood. Though they seem to be keeping most of the injectors under wraps until the game fully releases, the one injector that we did get a chance to see was perhaps one of the most interesting. Without spoiling too much, let’s just say that it turns unsuspecting zombies into another form entirely besides a solid.
The rest of the showcase gave players a glance into some of the gameplay aspects that will be available to them before they get into the story. The third person mode for both characters that can be switched on or off at any time, and there are three distinct difficulty modes available for every type of player –Casual, Standard (Modern), and Standard (Classic). Casual is meant for newer players and includes a pretty serious looking aim assist for those not looking for much of a challenge. Standard (Classic) is akin to the older games and is recommended for anyone that likes a more tense system as you need ink ribbons to save your game, while Standard (Modern) is the same system we have seen in recent games.
The Rest: Collaborations, Future Releases, and more
The next section of the showcase is filled to the brim with other miscellaneous information that isn’t focused on the game itself. This includes the partnership with the historic watch company Hamilton. The Khaki Field Auto Chrono (Leon) and the Pan Europ Automatic (Grace) can be purchased starting on Friday, February 27, the same day Resident Evil Requiem launches, and are extremely limited with only 2,000 units available worldwide. Racing to the finish line is the lightning fast collaboration with Porsche, the automaker that has captivated car enthusiasts worldwide for decades. A one-of-a-kind Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT has been created with complex 3D printing technology, perfectly customizing the vehicle to fit into the game’s distinctly dark world. Designed around the core themes of performance and survival, this custom SUV appears in the game as Leon’s vehicle – a legendary ride for a legendary character.
Resident Evil™ 7 biohazard Gold Edition and Resident Evil™ Village Gold Edition will also release on Nintendo Switch 2 the same day that Resident Evil Requiem drops, featuring post-story scenarios and extra game modes. Grab the full bundle with the Resident Evil Generation Pack, exclusive to Nintendo Switch 2, featuring Resident Evil 7 Biohazard Gold Edition, Resident Evil Village Gold Edition, and the all-new Resident Evil Requiem.
Alongside PlayStation®5, Nintendo Switch™ 2, Xbox Series X|S, Steam, and Epic Games Store, Resident Evil Requiem will also release on GeForce NOW cloud gaming service, all starting the same day on February 27, 2026. Those who purchase Resident Evil Requiem on Steam or Epic Games Store will be able to play even on PCs with more casual specs through GeForce NOW. In addition, through mobile devices and televisions that support GeForce NOW, you can enjoy Resident Evil Requiem wherever you are. A separate GeForce NOW membership subscription is required.
Resident Evil Requiem is also being optimized for a wide range of PCs ahead of its worldwide release, with high-spec PC players able to enjoy additional cutting-edge technology from NVIDIA, with DLSS 4 and path-traced effects that accelerate performance and enhance image quality. The game will be available in both Standard and Deluxe editions, with the Deluxe edition featuring the same base game as the Standard edition, plus an exclusive pack of five costumes, four weapon skins, two screen filters, two charms, and more!
The final minutes of the showcase talk about Elpis, a secret that connects Leon and Grace’s stories together in way that the game’s directory Koshi Nakanishi seems very intent on telling us in the near future. Whether that’s a tease at a future showcase or something more, I’m sure we’ll find out soon. Until then, hold the line. February will be here sooner then you think. You can see the full showcase stream below.
