The highly anticipated launch of Resident Evil Requiem is fast approaching, with the survival horror title scheduled to arrive on February 27. The game will be available across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, and the Nintendo Switch 2. Following a substantial three-hour hands-on session—which you can explore in our detailed preview here—we sat down with director Koshi Nakanishi to discuss the evolution of the franchise.
While our full conversation will be published later today, Nakanishi made a point to conclude the interview by addressing a persistent rumor regarding the game’s structural design. Specifically, he sought to clarify the scope of exploration and definitively debunk the speculation that Requiem is an open-world title.
Speaking through a translator, Nakanishi emphasized that the development team wanted to provide immediate clarity. “We have noticed quite a bit of speculation regarding potential open-world elements,” Nakanishi stated. “We want to set the record straight: this is not an open-world game.”
He went on to explain the creative philosophy guiding the project. “The core objective was to seamlessly weave together the distinct gameplay styles of Grace and Leon into one unified experience. These two perspectives are designed to showcase the different pillars of the Resident Evil legacy. We believe players will find that the team chose the most effective framework to achieve that balance.”
For more insights into the upcoming nightmare, be sure to dive into our hands-on impressions of Resident Evil Requiem. You can also catch up on the latest highlights from last month’s showcase, read about Leon’s customized Porsche, or take a look at the exclusive Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller designed for the game.
Does the confirmation of a more traditional, focused structure come as a relief, or were you hoping for a more sandbox-oriented Resident Evil? Share your thoughts in the comments!
