Capcom gave Resident Evil Requiem fans plenty to chew on during the 10-minute Resident Evil Showcase today, offering not only brand new gameplay footage and details, but also new glimpses of swag for diehard fans to grab (if they’re fast), as well as hinting at a mystery that’s still to be solved once the game launches next month.
For starters, just in case the reveal during The Game Awards last month wasn’t clear, Leon is back as one of the two protagonists in the game, alongside newcomer Grace Ashcroft. Leon’s gameplay will feature heavy on the action (thanks to his trusty hatchet) a la Resident Evil 4, while Grace’s gameplay will be more in line with what players got in Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 7. And as mentioned previously, you’ll have the option to play either from a third or first person perspective for either character.
As mentioned, Leon brings a hatchet with him this time around, making for some slick and gruesome kills. He’ll also be able to make use of enemy weapons (such as that chainsaw we saw in the trailer at The Game Awards), as well as some of those brutal hand-to-hand moves we’ve seen from him in the past.
Meanwhile, Grace requires players to exercise judgement when deciding which enemies to fight and which to avoid. She’ll have limited resources and carrying capacity, but has the trusty Requiem assault revolver that will likely be her last resort for survival. Of course, you’ll have to contend with the gun’s limited ammo, making it all the more crucial for you to exercise restraint. Offsetting this is a special device that allows Grace to craft vital items using infected blood, which can result in some explosive reactions when used on foes.
As for the game’s zombies, while they have lost their minds, in a nod to George A. Romero‘s zombies, some seem fixated on actions from their lives before death. You’ll encounter a zombies such as a chef obsessed with cooking, a bellhop continually pushing the call button, and even a janitor who spends her time endlessly polishing mirrors.
And to keep players even more intrigued leading up to the game’s launch, there’s the mystery of Elpis. Elpis is the keyword that connects everything: the death of Grace’s mother, Alyssa Ashcroft; Grace’s own past; and the story connected to Leon. It’s up to you, the player, to unravel the mystery that leads to the truth behind the events of the game. The only way is to play the game.
As we saw previously, Capcom has teamed up with Porsche to collaborate on Leon’s car, but the developer has also teamed up with Hamilton for two limited edition watches that players will be able to own. The two watch models replicate those worn by Leon and Grace in-game: The Khaki Field Auto Chrono (Leon) and the Pan Europ Automatic (Grace) can be purchased starting on Friday, February 27, the same day Resident Evil Requiem launches, and are extremely limited with only 2,000 units available worldwide.
For figure fanatics, Capcom is also releasing later this fall 1/6 scale figures of Grace and Leon, with various display options as individual pieces or combined as a set. These figures also match those produced in prior Collector’s Editions.
And seeing as it’s Resident Evil‘s 30th Anniversary this year, Capcom will be celebrating with special Resident Evil Symphony of Legacy orchestral performances across Japan, North America and Europe later this year. More information is expected soon.
Look for Resident Evil Requiem when it launches on the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC via Steam and Epic Games Store on February 27.