Capcom reveals Resident Evil Requiem gameplay and February release date
Capcom hosted the Resident Evil Showcase on January 16, 2026, at 2 p.m. PT, 5 p.m. ET, and 10 p.m. UK time to present brand new gameplay and news for Resident Evil: Requiem, followed by a post-show discussion stream.
Resident Evil: Requiem launches on February 27, 2026, for Xbox, PC, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch 2. Prior trailers revealed Leon S. Kennedy as a playable character and suggested a shift from the series’ traditional approach to settings, possibly toward an open-world structure.
The showcase provided limited new information, concentrating entirely on Resident Evil: Requiem. Content emphasized purchasable items connected to the game rather than extensive gameplay details.
Here are five key takeaways from the event.
- Difficulty settings: Resident Evil: Requiem includes at least three difficulty options. Casual mode prioritizes the story with aim assist enabled. Standard mode follows conventional challenge levels. Standard (Classic) mode modifies Standard by requiring players to collect ink ribbons for typewriters to save Grace’s progress, reintroducing a classic limitation from earlier series entries.
- Crafting mechanic: The showcase introduced a crafting system dependent on infected blood harvested from zombies. Players obtain this resource by killing zombies using Grace’s gun, named Requiem. Grace relies on the weapon during combat despite her limited fighting skills, enabling her to gather blood for creating survival tools.
- Merchandise: Capcom highlighted multiple real-world products tied to the game. A collaboration with Hamilton produced two watches modeled after those worn in-game by Grace and Leon, limited to 2,000 units each. An amiibo figure appeared, previously announced. A themed Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller carries the Requiem design. Special Resident Evil orchestra concerts are scheduled. The Deluxe Edition offers bonus content. Figurines depict Grace and Leon.
- Zombie behaviors: Zombies in Resident Evil: Requiem display retained characteristics from their pre-infection lives. One custodian zombie continues cleaning the building. Another zombie repeatedly pushes elevator buttons. A zombie at the trailer’s end engages Grace in a normal, smooth conversation, differing from standard zombie aggression.
- Elpis: The showcase ended with reference to a secret carried by Leon, termed Elpis. This element connects to the murder of Grace’s mother, Alyssa. Trailers show a zombie bite mark on Leon, potentially linked to Elpis.
Prior to the event, multiple previews of Resident Evil: Requiem had surfaced, building anticipation for its February release. The showcase timing aligned closely with the launch date, occurring weeks before availability on specified platforms.
Grace serves as the primary protagonist, navigating survival scenarios with her specialized gun. Leon’s inclusion expands playable content, integrating his established role from previous entries into Requiem’s narrative.
The ink ribbon mechanic in Standard (Classic) mode echoes historical Resident Evil saving systems, where typewriters required limited ribbons, enforcing resource management. Casual mode’s aim assist supports players emphasizing narrative progression without heightened combat demands.
In the crafting process, shooting zombies yields infected blood exclusively for specific items, compelling direct confrontation. Grace’s Requiem gun functions as her primary tool for these encounters, highlighting her adaptation to violent necessities.
Hamilton watches replicate in-game accessories precisely, with production capped at 2,000 per character to create exclusivity. The amiibo integrates with Nintendo Switch 2 gameplay, consistent with prior announcements. The Pro Controller’s Requiem theme matches visual elements from promotional materials. Orchestra concerts feature Resident Evil compositions performed live. Deluxe Edition contents supplement the base game with additional media or items. Figurines capture detailed likenesses of Grace and Leon in action poses.
Custodian zombie’s persistent cleaning behavior persists post-infection, ignoring threats. The elevator-pushing zombie fixates on buttons frantically. The speaking zombie’s interaction with Grace involves coherent dialogue, suggesting alterations in viral effects compared to past outbreaks.
Elpis remains undefined beyond its status as Leon’s secret. Alyssa’s murder provides backstory context for Grace. The visible bite mark on Leon in trailers raises questions about his condition, intersecting with Elpis references.