With Resident Evil Requiem slated for release next month, the survival horror community has been clamoring for fresh details—particularly following the Game Awards trailer that confirmed Leon S. Kennedy’s return. The latest Resident Evil Showcase delivered on that hype, as Director Koshi Nakanishi provided a deep dive into the contrasting playstyles of the game’s dual protagonists, Leon and Grace Ashcroft.
A Tale of Two Playstyles: Action vs. Attrition
Capcom recognized the immense popularity Leon gained following the Resident Evil 4 Remake, but developers faced a creative hurdle: Leon’s status as a seasoned action hero often clashes with the vulnerability required for pure horror. The solution lies in Grace Ashcroft. As a newcomer to such nightmares, Grace’s chapters emphasize dread and fragility, mirroring the atmospheric tension found in Resident Evil 7 or the RE2 Remake. In contrast, Leon’s segments lean into the high-octane, tactical combat that fans of his recent adventures will find familiar.
Leon’s arsenal has received a significant upgrade. While he retains his signature parry ability, he has swapped his combat knife for a rugged hatchet that requires sharpening to maintain its edge. More impressively, Leon can now scavenge weapons directly from his enemies. The showcase highlighted a sequence where Leon parries a massive chainsaw, dispatches its owner, and then turns the industrial tool against the remaining horde. Tactical dismemberment also plays a key role, allowing players to shatter kneecaps to set up devastating hatchet executions.
Grace’s experience offers a starkly different pace. Set within a sprawling, claustrophobic mansion, her gameplay focuses on resource management and evasion. Her primary defense is the “Requiem,” a heavy-duty assault revolver that serves as the game’s namesake. Grace also utilizes a macabre new crafting system involving harvested zombie blood. Players can create volatile mixtures, such as a serum that, when injected, causes a zombie to erupt in a gruesome explosion of gore.
Difficulty, Perspective, and Customization
Flexibility is a core pillar of Requiem. Players can toggle between first-person and third-person perspectives for both characters, though the developers noted that Grace’s story is optimized for first-person immersion while Leon’s favors the over-the-shoulder view. To accommodate all skill levels, a Casual mode provides robust aim assist, while the Classic difficulty reintroduces the tension of limited saves via ink ribbons during Grace’s campaign.
The showcase concluded with a series of peripheral announcements, including luxury collaborations with Porsche and the horologists at Hamilton. Fans can also look forward to a Deluxe Edition, GeForce NOW compatibility, a global concert tour, and high-quality protagonist figurines. You can view the full presentation here.
Resident Evil Requiem arrives on February 27 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, and the Switch 2. For further insights, read our hands-on impressions and our exclusive interview with the development team.
