First Look at Resident Evil Requiem Gameplay: Why Leon Wasn’t the Right Protagonist, According to Capcom

Well, okay, so there we were — waiting, almost biting our nails at the Capcom Spotlight this June. Everyone buzzing about Resident Evil Requiem like it was the next big thing. But then what do we get? A glimpse, sure, but not the full-on gameplay bonanza we imagined. Go figure, right?

Anyway, they gave us a peek into why Capcom’s steering this sequel in a new direction. But here’s where it got kinda meh for some folks: The whole thing was like a Creators’ Message video. You know the kind—bits of gameplay sprinkled between these talking heads, yammering away. Guess some secrets were spilled, like how Grace, the main character, is an Ashcroft, linked to the old Outbreak series. So there’s that.

Oh, and don’t get me started on the whole “why not Leon Kennedy?” question for Requiem. He’s got history with Raccoon City; heck, he’s almost synonymous with it. But the deal? Capcom wanted someone who can freak out easier than Leon for the story. Makes sense, but still!

Then there’s Grace Ashcroft – yeah, her. As an FBI agent, she’s got some chops with guns and such, but she’s also meant to be like… us? The average, non-superhuman player just bumbling through. Kind of makes Grace relatable, if that’s your thing.

And if you’re nerdy over camera angles, guess what? Requiem lets you switch between first and third-person views. Apparently, it wasn’t because of that third-person DLC for Village; nope, just that folks like to pick one view and stick with it. I can relate—I mean, who doesn’t love options?

Mark your calendars or whatever folks do nowadays—Resident Evil Requiem’s dropping on February 27, 2026, for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S. So yeah, the wait is on.