The anticipation for Resident Evil Requiem is reaching a fever pitch, and the latest official showcase delivered a substantial dose of adrenaline for franchise faithful. Set for a February 27, 2026 release on major platforms, the new installment promises a fascinating divergence in gameplay styles centered around two protagonists: the returning action hero, Leon S. Kennedy, and the newcomer, Grace Ashcroft.
Director Koshi Nakanishi took the stage during the recent Resident Evil Showcase to unpack the mechanics defining each character's journey. While fans celebrated Leon’s confirmed playability following the success of the Resident Evil 4 Remake, Nakanishi explained the challenge of integrating his established action pedigree into a true horror experience. The solution? A dynamic pairing that caters to different sensibilities.
Dueling Gameplay Styles: Action vs. Pure Horror
Leon’s segments are clearly leaning into the high-octane combat that defined his recent big-screen return. Expect gameplay that feels deeply reminiscent of Resident Evil 4 Remake. Leon retains the ability to parry incoming attacks, though his classic combat knife has been swapped out for a formidable hatchet. This new tool requires maintenance, as players will need to sharpen it regularly to maintain durability against the relentless infected hordes.
The Shocking Chainsaw Acquisition
Perhaps the most electrifying revelation from the showcase involves Leon's access to weaponry. In a particularly visceral gameplay clip, Leon was shown expertly parrying an attack from a massive, roaring chainsaw-wielding enemy. After neutralizing the threat, Leon promptly picked up the weapon for himself. Yes, Leon Kennedy can finally utilize the iconic, terrifying chainsaw in a main series entry—a moment fans have been clamoring for since the early days of the franchise. This ability to scavenge powerful, heavy weaponry from fallen foes suggests a more aggressive, resource-rich experience for Leon's narrative arc.
Furthermore, the showcase highlighted the strategic depth of combat for Leon. Players can now leverage environmental and anatomical weaknesses, such as blasting a zombie's kneecaps to momentarily stun them, setting up a devastating follow-up with the newly acquired hatchet.
Grace Ashcroft: The Vulnerable Survivor
In stark contrast to Leon’s action focus, Grace Ashcroft’s gameplay is designed to evoke pure survival horror. Nakanishi confirmed that Grace’s sections will channel the slower, more terrifying atmosphere of titles like Resident Evil 2 or Resident Evil 7. As a character with far less combat experience, her encounters are framed around evasion and scarcity.
Scarcity and Crafting with Zombie Blood
Grace’s exploration, often set within a desolate mansion, emphasizes resource management. Ammunition is notably scarce, making every bullet fired a calculated risk. Her primary weapon, a large-caliber assault revolver appropriately dubbed “Requiem,” hints at the game’s title. More intriguing is the introduction of a new crafting system that directly utilizes zombie biology.
The system requires harvesting zombie blood, suggesting that while fighting is exceptionally dangerous, the rewards can be substantial. One demonstrated concoction involved injecting the harvested material into a zombie’s neck, resulting in a gruesome, explosive demise. This mechanic adds a heavy layer of risk-reward to necessary confrontations.
Customization and Classic Touches
Resident Evil Requiem is committed to player choice regarding perspective. Both Leon’s and Grace’s campaigns can be experienced in either first-person or third-person, though the presentation suggested Leon’s footage favored the latter, and Grace’s the former.
Capcom is also addressing accessibility and nostalgia with tiered difficulty settings. A new Casual option will offer significant aim assist, catering to those who prefer a smoother experience. For the veterans, the Classic difficulty setting, specifically for Grace’s segments, will bring back the terrifying necessity of finding physical ink ribbons to save game progress—a potent callback to the series' roots.
Beyond the Gore: Collaborations and Concerts
The latter half of the showcase moved beyond gameplay revelations to detail exciting commercial and cultural tie-ins. Capcom announced collaborations with luxury brands, including Porsche and watchmaker Hamilton, suggesting potential in-game content or deluxe edition bonuses. Further details about the Deluxe Edition were teased, alongside confirmation of GeForce NOW compatibility for PC players.
In a broader move to expand the franchise's reach, Capcom also announced an upcoming worldwide concert series, promising to bring the iconic scores of the Resident Evil universe to live audiences. Collectible figurines of both Leon and Grace were also unveiled, cementing their place in the franchise pantheon.
With Resident Evil Requiem launching on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch 2, and PC on February 27, 2026, the dual-protagonist structure promises an experience that satisfies both the action-oriented fan and the purist seeking classic survival horror dread. Fans eager for more insights can revisit the full showcase, or check out the hands-on impressions and interviews released concurrently.