Get ready to dive back into the terrifying world of Resident Evil, because Capcom just dropped a treasure trove of new gameplay footage for Resident Evil Requiem, and it’s a game-changer. But here’s where it gets controversial: while fan-favorite Leon S. Kennedy is back in full force, the spotlight is also on Grace, a brand-new protagonist whose gameplay style might just divide the fanbase. Let’s break it all down.
During the Resident Evil Showcase on Thursday (check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9HIc7GZLa0), Capcom gave us a deep dive into what makes Requiem a standout entry in the series. As revealed at The Game Awards last month, Leon shares the lead with Grace, the daughter of Alyssa from Resident Evil Outbreak. But their playstyles couldn’t be more different.
Grace’s sections lean hard into traditional survival horror—think tight spaces, scarce ammo, and enemies that will make you question whether fighting is even worth it. And this is the part most people miss: Capcom introduced a new crafting system that involves siphoning blood from defeated enemies, adding a layer of grim resource management to the mix. Oh, and did we mention the zombies? They’ve evolved to have more human-like traits, including limited speech, which somehow makes them even more unsettling. Is this the future of horror in the series, or a step too far? Let us know in the comments.
Leon, on the other hand, is all about high-octane action. Building on the combat from Resident Evil 4, he’s armed with guns, a hatchet that needs sharpening, and even a chainsaw to carve through hordes of enemies. It’s a stark contrast to Grace’s stealthy approach, and it raises the question: is Capcom trying to appeal to too many audiences at once?
Storywise, the game teases a mysterious element called “Elpis,” which ties directly into the death of Grace’s mother. This promises to be a central thread in the narrative, but how it all connects remains a tantalizing mystery.
To make the game more accessible, Requiem includes both first- and third-person perspectives, along with a Casual difficulty mode featuring aim assist. But here’s the catch: if you want the classic Resident Evil experience, you’ll still need to manage those limited ink ribbons for saving. It’s a nice balance, but will it satisfy both newcomers and die-hard fans?
The showcase also featured Nvidia discussing the game’s PC performance, a sleek look at Leon’s Porsche, and the announcement of a 30th-anniversary Resident Evil concert tour hitting Japan, Europe, and North America. Canadian fans, however, are still waiting to hear if the concert will make its way north.
Interestingly, despite rumors, a demo wasn’t released during the showcase. But with the full game launching on February 27, 2026, for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, the wait won’t be long. For an early look, check out our hands-on preview from Gamescom here: https://mobilesyrup.com/2025/08/25/capcom-resident-evil-requiem-gamescom-preview/.
Image credit: Capcom
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