Resident Evil Requiem is doing something bold with its dual-protagonist structure. Grace Ashcroft, the terrified FBI analyst, handles the classic survival horror segments. Leon Kennedy, the seasoned veteran with a chainsaw, brings explosive action gameplay straight out of Resident Evil 4. Director Akifumi Nakanishi describes the experience as alternating between a hot sauna and a cold bath, and honestly? That’s the perfect metaphor for what Capcom is attempting with this 2026 release.
Two Games Mashed Together
Resident Evil Requiem has a single unified story, but as the plot advances, you’ll switch between Leon’s sections and Grace’s sections. There are even scenes where they meet, which should be entertaining given their wildly different personalities. Grace is described as “the biggest scaredy-cat in Resident Evil history,” while Leon is a battle-hardened agent who’s seen it all. Their contrasting approaches to investigating the same abandoned hotel form the core of Requiem’s appeal.
Producer Masato Kumazawa explained the design philosophy in a recent interview with Automaton West: “After a scary segment, the action feels even more exciting. And after an action segment, the horror feels even more terrifying. I think it’s a combined experience only possible by merging two completely different styles of gameplay.” Nakanishi added that the game is “almost like having two games with completely different types of tension mixed together.”
Grace Plays Like RE2, Leon Plays Like RE4
The gameplay differences between Grace and Leon go beyond just tone. Grace’s sections draw inspiration from Resident Evil 2, emphasizing resource management, puzzle-solving, and methodical exploration. She’s not a trained combatant, so every encounter feels dangerous. Her vulnerability amplifies the horror, making players genuinely scared when zombies appear because Grace can’t just blast her way through like Leon.
Leon’s segments, meanwhile, incorporate the martial arts and melee techniques from Resident Evil 4. The latest trailer showed him doing spin kicks, wielding a chainsaw to cut zombies in half, and generally handling business like the action hero he’s become over multiple games. His sections are meant to provide relief from the tension of Grace’s horror-focused gameplay, giving players a chance to feel powerful before diving back into fear.
The Hot Sauna Cold Bath Effect
Nakanishi’s sauna metaphor is surprisingly accurate for describing the gameplay rhythm. When you’re playing Grace’s segments, the tension builds as you creep through dark corridors, conserving ammo, and praying you don’t run into anything too dangerous. That’s the hot sauna, raising your stress levels higher and higher. Then you switch to Leon, who can confidently kick down doors and chainsaw through enemies, providing instant relief and exhilaration. That’s the cold bath shocking your system in the opposite direction.
The developers worried early in production that players might not be able to keep up with such dramatic shifts in gameplay style. But now, this far into development, they believe the contrast gives Requiem a unique rhythm that past Resident Evil titles haven’t offered. The back-and-forth creates a kind of psychological pacing where each style enhances the other through contrast.
Why Grace Was Added
Interestingly, Capcom originally considered making Leon the sole protagonist before deciding to add Grace to heighten the horror factor. Past Resident Evil titles, particularly RE7, drew feedback for being “too scary” for some players. Adding Leon’s action-focused segments provides a pressure valve, letting players catch their breath between Grace’s more terrifying encounters.
However, this wasn’t a last-minute addition. Nakanishi clarified that while Leon was considered solo during early conceptual phases, once actual development began in earnest, the team was already committed to the two-protagonist structure. Grace wasn’t tacked on later, she was part of the core design from the start of production.
First and Third Person Whenever You Want
Adding to the flexibility, Resident Evil Requiem lets players toggle between first-person and third-person perspectives at any time through the options menu. This is the first time a Resident Evil game has launched with both camera modes available from day one. Resident Evil Village eventually added third-person as a post-launch update, but Requiem is fully designed for both perspectives from the start.
The toggle works for both characters, meaning you can experience Grace’s horror and Leon’s action in whatever camera perspective you prefer. First-person tends to be more immersive and claustrophobic, perfect for horror. Third-person gives you better situational awareness and lets you see your character, which some players prefer for action sequences. Having the choice respects different playstyles without forcing everyone into one camera system.
Exclusive Third Person Animations
Capcom has confirmed that third-person mode includes exclusive animations you won’t see in first-person. This suggests significant development resources went into making both camera perspectives feel complete rather than one being a half-baked afterthought. The effort to support dual cameras alongside dual protagonists shows Capcom is trying to give players maximum flexibility in how they experience Requiem.
The Story Connections
Both Leon and Grace are investigating the same abandoned hotel, but from different angles and for different reasons. Leon is a veteran agent looking into a dead body found on the premises. Grace is an FBI analyst conducting her own investigation of the hotel. Their paths cross throughout the story, and seeing how their different personalities react to the same situations should provide interesting character dynamics.
Leon has decades of experience fighting bioterrorism threats. He’s been through Raccoon City, fought Las Plagas in Spain, and survived countless other nightmares. Grace is new to this world, completely unprepared for what she’s about to face. That experience gap creates natural tension and allows for different emotional beats in the narrative. When Leon encounters something horrific, he stays calm and professional. When Grace sees the same thing, she’s genuinely terrified.
Comparison to Past Dual Protagonist Games
Resident Evil has experimented with multiple playable characters before. Resident Evil 2 featured Leon and Claire with separate campaigns that overlapped. Resident Evil 6 had four different campaigns with wildly different tones and gameplay styles, though it was heavily criticized for being too action-focused and bloated. Resident Evil 0 let players switch between Rebecca and Billy in real-time, though the implementation was clunky.
Requiem seems to be learning from both the successes and failures of these past attempts. Like RE2, it gives each character their own distinct campaign and personality while having them investigate the same location. Unlike RE6, it’s limiting itself to two protagonists instead of overwhelming players with too many storylines. And unlike RE0, the switching is scripted rather than leaving players to juggle two characters simultaneously.
The RE6 Vibes Controversy
Leon’s action-heavy segments shown in trailers have drawn comparisons to Resident Evil 6, which is widely considered one of the weakest mainline entries. The spin kicks, over-the-top melee moves, and general bombastic action have some fans worried that Capcom is repeating RE6’s mistakes. However, the developers seem aware of this concern and are positioning Leon’s segments as counterpoint to Grace’s horror rather than the entire game being action-focused.
The key difference is context and pacing. RE6 committed fully to action and lost the horror identity in the process. Requiem is using action as a deliberate contrast tool to enhance the horror by providing relief, then making the return to fear even more impactful. Whether this gamble pays off won’t be clear until players get their hands on the full game in 2026.
What About Rose?
Adding intrigue to the dual-protagonist situation, a GameStop listing for Requiem’s Deluxe Edition briefly mentioned exclusive content featuring Rosemary Winters, Ethan’s daughter from Resident Evil Village. The mention was quickly removed, but the internet never forgets. This suggests Rose might appear in some capacity, possibly as DLC or a third playable character unlocked after completing the main campaigns.
Rose has unique mold-based powers that could translate into interesting gameplay mechanics distinct from both Grace’s survival focus and Leon’s action style. Whether she’s actually playable or just appears in cutscenes remains speculation until Capcom officially addresses the leak.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Resident Evil Requiem have two playable characters?
Yes. Grace Ashcroft handles survival horror gameplay inspired by Resident Evil 2, while Leon Kennedy provides action-oriented segments influenced by Resident Evil 4. You switch between them as the story progresses.
Can you choose which character to play in Requiem?
No. The switching is scripted as part of the unified story. You’ll alternate between Grace and Leon at predetermined points as the plot unfolds.
When does Resident Evil Requiem release?
Resident Evil Requiem launches in 2026 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. A specific date hasn’t been announced yet.
Can you play Requiem in first or third person?
Both. Players can toggle between first-person and third-person perspectives at any time through the options menu. This is the first RE game to launch with both camera modes available from day one.
Is Leon’s gameplay really like Resident Evil 6?
Partially. Leon’s segments feature martial arts and melee techniques similar to RE4 and RE6, but they’re positioned as action relief between Grace’s horror segments rather than the entire game being action-focused.
Who is Grace Ashcroft?
Grace is an FBI analyst described as “the biggest scaredy-cat in Resident Evil history.” She’s not a trained combatant, making her sections more vulnerable and horror-focused compared to Leon’s experienced agent gameplay.
Do Grace and Leon interact in the story?
Yes. They’re both investigating the same abandoned hotel and their paths cross during the campaign. Their contrasting personalities should make these interactions entertaining.
Will Rosemary Winters be playable?
Unconfirmed. A GameStop listing briefly mentioned exclusive Rose content in the Deluxe Edition before it was removed. Whether she’s playable or just appears in the story remains unknown.
The Verdict on Dual Protagonists
Capcom is taking a calculated risk with Requiem’s dual-protagonist structure. Alternating between genuine horror and explosive action could create the unique rhythm the developers are aiming for, or it could result in a tonally inconsistent mess that satisfies neither horror fans nor action enthusiasts. The success depends entirely on execution and how well the transitions are handled.
The sauna-to-cold-bath metaphor suggests Capcom understands what they’re attempting. Extreme contrast can be exhilarating when done right. Horror games often struggle with pacing because relentless tension eventually numbs players. Providing intentional relief through Leon’s sections could make Grace’s horror feel fresh each time you return to it. Conversely, Leon’s action might feel more exciting after you’ve spent time feeling vulnerable and scared.
Whether players will embrace this design or find it jarring remains to be seen. Resident Evil fans tend to have strong opinions about what the series should be, with ongoing debates about action versus horror balance. Requiem is essentially saying “why not both?” and betting that contrast enhances both styles. We’ll find out in 2026 if jumping between hot saunas and cold baths is as refreshing in gaming as it is in Scandinavian wellness retreats.