Capcom recently pulled back the curtain further on Resident Evil Requiem, offering fans a new look at the highly anticipated title during its Spotlight Showcase 2025 event. While not a full deep dive, the presentation provided a solid glimpse into the game’s mechanics and confirmed features previously speculated by the community.
Set to launch on February 27, 2026, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, Resident Evil Requiem is returning players to the iconic, zombie-ravaged Raccoon City. This marks a significant moment for the series, acknowledged by the development team and the game’s title itself.
Dual Perspectives: Horror Meets Action
One of the most exciting confirmations from the showcase was the inclusion of both first-person and third-person gameplay perspectives. Developers explained this choice is designed to cater to different player preferences, allowing for a tailored experience.
First-Person: Described as being for players who prioritize a “horror-focused” and “tense, realistic” experience. Gameplay snippets shown in this view depicted the protagonist navigating dimly lit, creepy corridors, initially armed only with a lighter. Another clip showcased cautious exploration with a handgun and a moment of “calm, deductive reasoning” while inspecting a toolbox, reminiscent of classic series interactions. A tense encounter with a large humanoid creature emerging from shadows was also shown from this perspective.
Third-Person: Geared towards players who prefer “action-heavy gameplay” and seeing “more of the action.” This over-the-shoulder perspective also showed movement through dark environments, with the same menacing creature visible casually in the background shadows.
Crucially, Capcom revealed that players will be able to switch between the first- and third-person views at any point during the campaign via the game’s Options menu, offering unprecedented flexibility in how players experience the terror.
A New Agent Navigates the Horror
The Spotlight event also offered more details on the game’s protagonist, FBI Agent Grace Ashcroft. Developers highlighted their intention to create a character whose reactions might feel more relatable to the player. Ashcroft was described as more introverted and frightened than series veterans like Leon Kennedy might typically be in similar perilous situations, aiming to capture the player’s own uncertainty around each corner. Despite this, it was clarified that she is indeed an FBI agent and is more than capable with a weapon, as shown in gameplay clips featuring her utilizing a handgun. While Leon Kennedy was not shown, developers did reportedly comment on him during the presentation, leaving open the possibility of his involvement.
Returning to Raccoon City: A Milestone “Requiem”
The decision to bring players back to Raccoon City was a core topic for the development team, acknowledging the challenge and significance of revisiting such a foundational location in the Resident Evil universe. Resident Evil Requiem is set 30 years after the missile strike that destroyed the city in Resident Evil 3, explaining the massive crater shown in the announcement trailer and providing a unique context for exploring the site’s aftermath.
Director Koshi Nakanishi elaborated on the meaning behind the title, “Requiem.” He explained that the game is intended as “a requiem, a eulogy to those who came before,” emphasizing the series’ origins with the Umbrella Corporation and the Raccoon City outbreak. Choosing this title marks a “milestone” in the extensive history of the Resident Evil franchise, reflecting on its legacy while forging a new path. The team’s overarching concept for the game is centered around creating a feeling of “addictive horror.”
The Capcom Spotlight Showcase 2025 also featured updates on other titles like Monster Hunter Wilds (detailing upcoming free title updates, including fan-favorite monsters Lagiacrus and Seregios) and Pragmata (showcasing its unique hacking, shooting, and puzzle gameplay and confirming a playable demo at Gamescom 2025), but Resident Evil Requiem’s gameplay reveal and dual-perspective confirmation were key highlights for horror fans.
