Key Highlights:
- Resident Evil Requiem will shift gameplay style based on whether you control Grace or Leon.
- New difficulty settings include Casual with assist and Classic with ink ribbons.
- Showcase footage confirms parries, chainsaw combat for Leon and crafting systems for Grace.
Capcom’s latest Resident Evil Requiem Showcase was light on story details but heavy on gameplay structure, confirming that Requiem will change tone and mechanics depending on which character you control.
Grace Ashcroft takes the series back to slower, horror-driven pacing similar to Resident Evil 2 and 7, while Leon S. Kennedy brings a more aggressive style closer to the Resident Evil 4 remake. The game launches on 27 February for PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC.
Grace is physically weaker than Leon, which makes evasion and resource management more important during her sections. She carries a powerful revolver called Requiem, but ammo appears deliberately scarce to discourage players from defaulting to gunplay. She also has access to a new crafting system that uses infected blood, letting players create items with high risk and high reward outcomes. One example shown in the showcase had Grace injecting a concoction into a zombie’s neck, causing an explosive kill.
That kind of grim utility fits the survival horror end of the iconic franchise.
Leon’s gameplay is more familiar to action fans. He can parry again, now using a hatchet instead of a knife, and can sharpen it to maintain durability. The RE showcase also confirmed that Leon can disarm enemies and use their weapons, including a chainsaw. The footage even highlighted tactical limb targeting, such as kneecap shots to set up follow-up strikes. From what I watched, this dual structure lets Capcom satisfy both fans of slower horror and those who enjoyed the over-the-shoulder combat of RE4 Remake.
Capcom also outlined new difficulty settings for RE Requiem. Casual mode adds strong aim assist and prioritises story, Standard sits in the middle, and Standard Classic removes free saving in favour of ink ribbons. The ink ribbon system has not been seen in a mainline entry for years and will likely appeal to purists who enjoy tension from limited saves. Requiem also features more human-like infected. Some continue mundane routines out of muscle memory, which creates moments where observation and stealth matter as much as reflexes.
The showcase confirmed that both characters can be played in first or third person, although late-game footage suggested Grace leans towards first person and Leon towards third person. Capcom also used the back half of the stream to talk through GeForce NOW support, Deluxe Edition extras, merchandise tie-ins and a global concert series, so fans can expect a fairly broad push leading up to launch.
You can watch the full video on YouTube due to age restriction limiting the ability to embed here.
Requiem’s split identity is an interesting design call. Grace provides vulnerability and tension, while Leon offers spectacle and momentum. I cannot wait until its full release late February, let us know in the comments section who you’;re going to play as.