Resident Evil Requiem: preview of Capcom's new survival horror

Capcom is preparing for the arrival of the ninth chapter of Resident Evil with a curious mix: pure survival atmospheres, a polished RE Engine, and an "open" level design concept that could change the pace of the series.

The setting is clear. Resident Evil Requiem is the ninth mainline episode of the saga, developed with the RE Engine and directed by Koshi Nakanishi (who also helmed RE7), set to release on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC on February 27, 2026. Announced at Summer Game Fest 2025, it aims for a no-frills single-player survival horror, with Capcom speaking of a "story rich in characters" and an immersive experience pushed on the technical front.

Capcom introduced Grace Ashcroft, a federal agent involved in an investigation that quickly descends into horror, a new name, useful for shaking up the series and expanding the lore beyond the historical faces. On the old guard front, rumors are hot: several sources claim that Leon S. Kennedy will play a significant role, perhaps the last "big one" of his career. But let's set aside rumors and hearsay and move on to what we were able to see in about an hour of testing.

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Gameplay and mechanics: first (and third) person, puzzles, and constant tension

Our test was brief but quite significant. We woke up as Grace, imprisoned in a room of an unknown house, and after freeing ourselves from the chains, our first thought was simple enough: escape! We immediately clarify that Resident Evil Requiem can be played in first or third person, but for more immersion, it is advisable to play it in first person, which we naturally did.

Without going into too much detail and avoiding even tiny spoilers, we will simply say that the atmosphere is truly rich in tension, especially due to the fact that wandering through the rooms is accompanied by all sorts of creaks, moans, or any other sinister noise you can think of, things that together will keep you constantly on alert.

To attempt to escape, it was necessary to open specific doors with even more specific keys to be found by carefully exploring every room, opening all drawers and cabinets, repairing broken circuits with components taken from other devices, and collecting every type of object because you never know when it might come in handy, and so we did. Our best friend was a lighter that illuminated the dark areas of some rooms, helping us quite a bit in figuring out what to do. Don't worry, it will become your best friend too. 

During the test, there was no shortage of jumpscares and plot twists, but we managed to reach the level boss, which we were able to overcome by studying its movements and some attack patterns, although it wasn't immediate, and we died multiple times, a sign that RE Requiem will not be an easy game, so be prepared to see your character die multiple times in an attempt to figure out how to solve various situations. Graphically, we could see that the game is impressive, and if you have the time (without dying) to dwell on the details of some corpses or the surrounding furniture, you will be more than satisfied.

Requiem thus presents itself as a chapter that fans of the series have been waiting for for a long time, because beneath the surface of a graphically up-to-date game lies the pure soul of survival horror that Capcom invented, and perhaps less explosive action and greater psychological tension can be those elements capable of giving a definitive turn to the new direction the series has long deserved.

Grace Ashcroft as the game's new protagonist is not merely a narrative device, but an attempt to renew the formula without betraying the series' historical identity. If the rumors regarding Leon's involvement prove true, then we could witness an epochal changing of the guard.

In short, even if February 27, 2026, is still far away, we found many interesting elements in our brief journey into Resident Evil Requiem. The RE Engine once again showed its power in the service of horror, and the level design we were able to admire hinted at the right balance between free exploration and the guided experience that has always been the saga's fortune.

Get ready, because it seems Requiem will spare no one.