Resident Evil Requiem will be showcased in playable form for the first time at Gamescom 2025 next week. Capcom’s next entry in the acclaimed survival horror franchise is set for release on February 27, 2026, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, and new information has emerged about its gameplay and features.
According to Capcom insider Dusk Golem, the original open-world concept for the game has been scaled back. Instead, Resident Evil Requiem will feature expansive open-level environments, with Raccoon City being one of the highlighted locations. Players will reportedly have access to a vehicle for traversing these areas, while the development team has worked to optimize performance, particularly in larger zones, following technical issues seen in other recent titles.
Combat involving Leon Kennedy has been enhanced with new mechanics, including influences from The Last of Us Part II. While Leon’s appearance has not been confirmed by Capcom, the series’ history of multiple playable characters leaves room for speculation.
Official details from Capcom confirm several major features. Players will be able to switch between first-person and third-person perspectives at any point, requiring significant development adjustments to accommodate both styles. The game will also feature a new lighting and shadow engine, as well as advanced hair rendering technology from Pragmata. Enemy AI is set to be more dynamic, with stalker-type foes reacting intelligently to player actions.
The confirmed main protagonist is FBI technical analyst Grace Ashcroft, who travels to Raccoon City to investigate a series of mysterious deaths at a hotel where her mother died eight years earlier. Grace’s sections will include expanded environmental interaction and physics-based puzzles, with gameplay elements focused on manipulating light and darkness to overcome obstacles.
Capcom is expected to share more details during Gamescom, with the public demo offering the first hands-on experience of the game. The mix of returning series elements, upgraded systems, and fresh mechanics aims to give players a new take on the Resident Evil formula while retaining its survival horror roots.
Resident Evil Requiem launches worldwide on February 27, 2026.
