CAPCOM has been steadily redefining what survival horror can look like over the last decade, alternating between ambitious remakes and new chapters in the Resident Evil saga. With Resident Evil Requiem, the series’ ninth mainline entry, the publisher is aiming to combine classic survival horror with modern presentation and new narrative directions. We went hands-on with the game at Gamescom to see whether this latest outing is shaping up to be another high point for the franchise.
What we know
Resident Evil Requiem is set to arrive in 2026 as the next step in CAPCOM’s iconic horror series. This time the story returns to the haunting backdrop of Raccoon City, years after its supposed eradication during the infamous outbreak and subsequent cover-up. Players step into the shoes of Grace Ashcroft, an FBI intelligence analyst whose personal trauma and sharp analytical mind drive her into the heart of an abandoned hotel tied to her mother’s mysterious death.
In terms of gameplay, the title builds on the series’ survival horror DNA: a tense mix of combat, investigation, puzzles, and resource management. A key feature here is the ability to freely switch between first-person and third-person perspectives, allowing players to decide how they want to approach exploration and confrontation. CAPCOM promises this flexibility will make for a more immersive horror experience across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC – and we’re guessing that VR support might also come.
What we saw
Our preview session took place at Gamescom, where we spent around 20–25 minutes with a hands-on demo of the game. Designed for the consumer show floor, the section we played was fairly scripted and linear, but it offered a good glimpse of the game’s heavy atmosphere, intricate visuals, and nerve-wracking scares.
What we thought
The first thing that stands out about Resident Evil Requiem is just how good it looks. CAPCOM’s engine has already delivered stunning results in recent titles, but this feels like a clear step forward in visual fidelity. Lighting in particular plays a crucial role, with shadows and flickering illumination combining to create an atmosphere that constantly puts you on edge. It’s the kind of environment where every corner feels like a potential ambush, and that sense of unease lingered throughout the demo.
Grace Ashcroft is shaping up to be a compelling lead. Her backstory, tied closely to the mystery of her mother’s death, adds a more personal motivation than we often see in the series, and the writing seems to balance vulnerability with determination. While we only got a taste of her narrative arc in the demo, the promise of seeing the horrors of Raccoon City through her perspective feels refreshing after so many years with legacy protagonists.
On the gameplay side, the freedom to switch between first- and third-person adds a welcome layer of choice. Exploring narrow corridors in first-person heightens the tension, while third-person provides better spatial awareness during combat. That said, the demo leaned a bit on scripted sequences and guided moments, which occasionally undercut the tension by feeling predictable. It worked well for a showcase setting, but we hope the full game allows more room for exploration and dynamic encounters.
Overall, Resident Evil Requiem feels like a confident evolution of the franchise, blending its traditional survival horror roots with modern mechanics and presentation. The demo was perhaps too linear to fully capture that promise, but it also left us wanting more – which is exactly what a preview build should do. With next-gen visuals, oppressive atmosphere, and a new protagonist worth rooting for, CAPCOM seems to be laying the foundation for another memorable entry in the series.
Press Play Media 