Following a pair of unexpected twists at the Summer Game Fest exhibition, we now have official confirmation that Resident Evil Requiem is in development by Capcom. Fortunately, the event didn’t conclude for me. During the Summer Game Fest Play Days, I was fortunate enough to visit Capcom and attend a 30-minute gameplay demonstration of Resident Evil Requiem. Watching this presentation in the dimly lit theater took me through what I’m labeling as the five stages of fear.
Capcom shared a Resident Evil Requiem gameplay presentation, and I’m still scared
The game titled “Resident Evil Requiem” revolves around FBI Agent Grace Ashcroft’s story. In the trailer that wrapped up the Summer Game Fest exhibition, we witness her being sent to the hotel where her mother perished to probe a series of peculiar deaths. As the latter half of the trailer unfolds, it becomes apparent that her journey does not end favorably for her. Additionally, we catch glimpses of a devastated Raccoon City, presumably due to the blast at the end of Resident Evil 3. This appears to be the first time players will presumably revisit Raccoon City since Resident Evil 3 in 1999, at least in the primary series of games.
During Summer Game Fest’s Play Days event, Capcom allowed me to attend a gameplay demonstration for Resident Evil Requiem. The sense of fear that unfolded in that dimly lit theater still lingers vividly in my memory. As Grace Ashcroft cautiously navigated the eerie corridors of the hotel, I found myself frozen among the spectators, on edge, waiting for a terrifying figure to emerge from the next doorway. At first, I tried to maintain an air of bravado. However, as the tension escalated, I grew anxious, tensed up, and even developed goosebumps and clammy hands—experiencing all five stages of fear. To this day, I still keep a few extra lights burning in my apartment when rewatching the trailer and recollecting that experience.
The thirty-minute presentation functioned as an expert demonstration of creating suspense. For the initial fifteen minutes, we were left clueless; it was merely the anticipation of what might unfold, while we knew something intriguing lay hidden and ready to reveal itself. As if playing a game, the speaker switched on lights and tread through chilly, dim corridors, each step reverberating ominously throughout the hushed auditorium. Everyone in that audience was captivated.
Gradually, the gamer started fitting together the puzzle parts. She discovered a lighter to brighten up the dim spots. A fuse to open a locked barrier. However, she also swiftly understood she wasn’t the only one there. One thrilling instant during gameplay occurred when the player lit up the space, casting light over half of the room. Yet, when the light flickered, something in the shadowy corner stirred, causing a glass bottle to tumble down onto the floor, breaking the tense quiet. The bottle crept out from the darkness and into the light, step by step revealing the presence of something hidden.
In this scene of play, Grace Ashcroft refrained from taking any firearms or weapons whatsoever. Instead, she grabbed an empty bottle that seemed suitable for throwing. It might have served as a diversion or a desperate weapon in a pinch. Yet, it’s important to note that our protagonist is an FBI agent, so there could be a reasonable explanation for her acquiring and using a firearm at some point later on.
Grace Ashcroft’s choice to avoid filling the silence with excess dialogue made the tension more palpable, underscoring the disorientation and isolation of the situation. Perhaps in situations where a player is uncertain about their next steps, this could be altered, contrasting with the seamless gameplay designed by Capcom.
To keep yourself free from spoilers regarding “Requiem”, I advise steering clear of this passage. After traversing the hallways for roughly ten minutes or so, the initial shock comes when a body plummets through a door. The player verifies if they are still alive, and I’m convinced that the body will resurrect and assault. However, instead, a massive, clawed hand emerges from beyond the frame and seizes the body, lifting it towards an appalling, enormous maw and devouring the corpse’s head. The player then flees from this monster, occasionally peeking back to observe it lumber through the doorway as it pursues them. In numerous aspects, this recalls the classic style of “Resident Evil”. A dreadful menace that you can only escape.
Resident Evil Requiem is a thrilling addition to the series, marking its return to the ruins of Raccoon City, boasting some of the most realistic visuals among contemporary games. Furthermore, players can switch between first and third-person perspectives at any moment during gameplay, adding an extra layer of excitement as we eagerly anticipate what other surprises Capcom has planned for this ninth installment.
We’re fortunate that we don’t have to wait much longer as Resident Evil Requiem is scheduled for release on February 27th, 2026. This upcoming game will be playable on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC through Steam. We’re grateful to Capcom for letting us watch the gameplay presentation of Resident Evil Requiem.
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2025-06-11 19:03