Capcom unleashed a full-scale survival horror assault during today’s Resident Evil Requiem Showcase, giving fans their deepest look yet at the upcoming sequel ahead of its worldwide launch on February 27, 2026. From brand-new gameplay footage to tech innovations and wild collaborations, this presentation had something for every kind of Resident Evil fan.

As a longtime RE head, I sat down to react to the showcase live, and let me tell you, this game is shaping up to be something special.

Dual Protagonists Bring Two Styles of Horror

The heart of Resident Evil Requiem lies in its dual-protagonist system. Players will experience the story through two very different characters:

Leon S. Kennedy, legendary DSO agent
Grace Ashcroft, a rookie FBI analyst thrown into a nightmare

What makes this even more interesting is that players can switch between first-person and third-person perspectives at any time, offering both classic survival tension and modern action flexibility.

Leon Kennedy: Action Meets Precision

Leon’s sections are all about combat mastery. The showcase revealed new mechanics, including:

Close-quarters combat using an all-new hatchet
Parry and counter systems
Chainsaw takedowns
Cinematic finishing moves

Leon feels like a one-man army, but even he has limits, especially against the terrifying new zombie types introduced in Resident Evil Requiem.

Grace Ashcroft: True Survival Horror Returns

Grace’s gameplay leans heavily into classic Resident Evil tension. Her story begins inside a zombie-infested sanatorium, where resources are scarce, and every bullet matters.

Key gameplay features include:

Limited inventory and ammo
Crafting items using infected blood
Tough decisions about when to fight or flee
A powerful but limited “Requiem Assault Revolver” as a last resort

This is old-school survival horror energy with a modern twist, and it looks intense.

Smarter, Stranger Zombies

One of the coolest reveals from the Resident Evil Requiem Showcase was the new behavior system for enemies. Zombies don’t just wander anymore. Some cling to habits from their past lives:

A chef obsessed with cooking
A singer repeating the same song
A janitor endlessly polishing mirrors

These behaviors aren’t just creepy details. They can actually be used strategically to avoid or manipulate enemies.

The Mystery of Elpis

A major story thread revolves around the word Elpis, which connects:

The death of Grace’s mother
Grace’s mysterious past
Leon’s investigation

Capcom is clearly building a deep narrative puzzle, and unraveling it will be a huge part of the Resident Evil Requiem experience.

Difficulty Options for Every Player

The showcase confirmed multiple difficulty modes:

Casual Mode – aim assist and more forgiving gameplay
Standard (Classic) Mode – Ink Ribbons required for saves as Grace

Classic fans will love that old-school tension is still very much alive.

Next-Gen Technology Powers the Horror

Capcom also used the Resident Evil Requiem Showcase to highlight some serious tech upgrades.

The game will launch on:

PlayStation 5
Xbox Series X|S
Nintendo Switch 2
PC via Steam and Epic Games Store
GeForce NOW cloud streaming

Thanks to NVIDIA DLSS 4 and path-tracing support, PC players can expect stunning visuals and performance enhancements.

Big-Time Collaborations Steal the Show

This showcase wasn’t just about gameplay. Capcom also revealed two unexpected but awesome partnerships.

Hamilton Watches Collaboration

Two real-world luxury watches are being produced to match the in-game models:

Khaki Field Auto Chrono – Leon Edition
Pan Europ Automatic – Grace Edition

Only 2,000 units will be made worldwide, launching February 27, 2026.

Porsche x Resident Evil Requiem

Leon is getting a custom ride courtesy of Porsche. A specially designed Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT will appear in-game, built with advanced 3D printing technology to match the game’s dark survival theme.

Legendary character. Legendary car.

Collector Goodies and Anniversary Celebrations

Capcom also announced:

1/6 scale Leon and Grace figures
Resident Evil Symphony of Legacy concerts for the 30th anniversary
Deluxe and Premium Editions with tons of bonus content
Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller themed after the game
The first-ever Resident Evil Amiibo featuring Grace

Pre-orders are live now, with bonus content for early buyers.

Final Thoughts on the Resident Evil Requiem Showcase

This presentation made one thing clear: Capcom is going ALL IN on Resident Evil Requiem.

With dual protagonists, flexible gameplay styles, deep story threads, and cutting-edge tech, this is shaping up to be one of the most ambitious entries in the franchise.

February 27, 2026, can’t come soon enough.

Stay tuned to Born with a Controller for more reactions, previews, and coverage as we approach the launch.