Capcom recently pulled back the curtain on Resident Evil Requiem, the next mainline entry in the acclaimed survival horror series, offering fans their first tantalizing glimpse of actual gameplay during a recent Capcom Spotlight event. The reveal confirmed a significant new feature: players will be able to experience the chilling world through both first-person and third-person perspectives, switchable at any point during the campaign via the Options menu.
This dual perspective system appears central to Resident Evil Requiem‘s design philosophy, aiming to cater to different player preferences while enhancing the game’s atmosphere.
Experiencing the Horror: First-Person Gameplay
The gameplay snippets showcased the new protagonist, FBI Agent Grace Ashcroft, navigating the game’s terrifying environments. In first-person segments, the focus was squarely on intense horror and immersion. We saw Ashcroft slowly inching through dimly lit, creepy corridors, often with nothing more than a lighter to pierce the oppressive darkness. This perspective heightens the feeling of vulnerability and isolation, emphasizing the survival horror roots of the series.
One particularly chilling moment depicted a hulking, grotesque humanoid creature emerging from the shadows and closing in on Ashcroft – a moment designed to maximize tension through the intimate first-person view. Other first-person footage showed Ashcroft, as a trained FBI agent, equipped with a handgun, exploring a grand hallway. This perspective also allows for classic Resident Evil style close-up interaction with the environment, demonstrating Ashcroft’s capacity for “calm, deductive reasoning” as she inspects objects like a toolbox.
Observing the Action: Third-Person Gameplay
While first-person emphasizes visceral horror, Resident Evil Requiem also offers an over-the-shoulder third-person perspective. A brief clip showed Ashcroft exploring poorly lit rooms and corridors in this view. The terrifying creature seen in the first-person footage made another appearance, stomping ominously in the shadows, this time allowing players to observe the character and her surroundings more broadly.
According to developers, the first-person camera is intended for “tense, realistic gameplay,” designed to put players directly into the fear-inducing situations. The third-person view, conversely, lets players “see more of the action” and is considered “great for people who enjoy action-heavy gameplay.” The ability to switch freely allows players to tailor their experience on the fly, whether they prefer the claustrophobic dread of first-person or the more traditional action-oriented view.
A New Protagonist & Narrative Context
Resident Evil Requiem introduces Grace Ashcroft as its lead, an FBI analyst who is also revealed to be the daughter of Alyssa Ashcroft from the spin-off title Resident Evil Outbreak. This choice marks a deliberate shift for the series, which often features hardened veterans. Grace is characterized by developers as “introverted and easily scared,” a trait specifically chosen to enhance the game’s focus on fear and the protagonist’s vulnerability – a stark contrast to seasoned heroes like Leon Kennedy.
The game is set a significant 30 years after the devastating missile strike on Raccoon City depicted at the end of Resident Evil 3. This setting explains the enormous crater seen in the announcement trailer and underpins the game’s title. Capcom explains that “Requiem” was chosen because the game is intended as “a requiem, a eulogy to those who came before,” acknowledging the tragic history of Raccoon City and the series’ legacy.
Development Insights & Fan Expectations
During the reveal, developers also shed light on the game’s journey to completion. Director Koshi Nakanishi confirmed prior rumors that Capcom had experimented with concepts like an open-world or online Resident Evil early in development. However, after exploring these ideas, they ultimately realized “it wasn’t what fans wanted to see or play,” leading them to return “back to the drawing board” to create the focused, offline single-player experience Resident Evil Requiem is set to be. This decision highlights Capcom’s responsiveness to fan sentiment and commitment to delivering the survival horror experience players expect.
Developers also addressed speculation surrounding the potential return of fan-favorite Leon Kennedy. While he was considered for the protagonist role, Nakanishi explained that Leon’s extensive experience with biohazards would make him too jaded for the kind of pure horror experience Requiem aims for. Seeing a character as battle-hardened as Leon easily scared wouldn’t fit the game’s vision centered on a more vulnerable protagonist like Grace. Therefore, Leon is not expected to be a lead character.
Release Date & Platforms
Resident Evil Requiem is scheduled to launch on February 27, 2026. It will be available across PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S, bringing its unique blend of dual perspective horror and action to current-generation platforms. Early impressions suggest the game, at least initially, will feel like a successor to the first-person horror of Resident Evil 7 and Village, set in atmospheric locations like a gothic hospital. Fans can look forward to potentially trying the game themselves, as it is confirmed to be playable at Gamescom 2025.
