Capcom announced that pre-orders for Resident Evil Requiem, the highly anticipated ninth mainline entry in the survival horror series, will open on October 29, 2025. The brief teaser statement promises the nightmare begins soon while also revealing plans to release a video celebrating the Resident Evil franchise ahead of the game’s February 27, 2026 launch. This marketing push arrives as the series approaches its 30th anniversary in 2026, positioning Requiem as both a continuation of recent successes and a milestone celebration of one of gaming’s most iconic horror franchises.
What We Know About Resident Evil Requiem
Resident Evil Requiem marks several significant firsts for the franchise while returning to familiar territory. The game features Grace Ashcroft, a new protagonist who works as an FBI technical analyst rather than the combat-trained operatives like Leon Kennedy or Jill Valentine who typically star in the series. Capcom describes Grace as an introverted bookworm who feels powerless due to her lack of proficiency in combat, creating a protagonist more vulnerable and relatable than the superhuman survivors of previous entries.
The story returns to Raccoon City, the iconic location from the early games, approximately 30 years after its destruction in Resident Evil 3: Nemesis. Grace investigates a series of mysterious deaths at the Wrenwood Hotel, the same location where her mother Alyssa died eight years earlier. This personal connection drives the narrative as Grace confronts her past while uncovering conspiracies involving the hotel and its dark secrets. The setting promises to explore what happened to Raccoon City after the nuclear strike that supposedly ended the outbreak.
Gameplay Innovations and Returning Elements
For the first time in recent franchise history, Resident Evil Requiem allows players to switch between first-person and third-person perspectives at any time during gameplay. Capcom positions first-person as the default offering tense, realistic gameplay, while third-person is ideal for people who enjoy action-packed gameplay. This flexibility addresses years of fan debate about which perspective better serves survival horror after RE7 and Village committed exclusively to first-person views.
The game introduces a persistent stalker enemy similar to Mr. X from RE2 Remake and Lady Dimitrescu from Village, but with enhanced AI that can pursue Grace through walls and ceilings. Players must crouch and sneak to avoid detection, hide under furniture like tables, and use environmental objects like glass bottles to create distractions. The lighter Grace carries illuminates dark areas but also attracts the monster’s attention, forcing tactical decisions about when to risk using it versus stumbling through darkness.
Technical Achievements and Platform Details
| Platform | Notable Features |
|---|---|
| PlayStation 5 | Path traced lighting with ray traced global illumination, shadows, and ambient occlusion |
| Xbox Series X/S | Full feature parity with PS5 including advanced lighting systems |
| PC (Steam) | Scalable graphics options to take advantage of high-end hardware |
| Nintendo Switch 2 | First mainline RE title launching day-and-date on Nintendo hardware in years |
Resident Evil Requiem utilizes Capcom’s RE Engine, the proprietary technology that powered RE7, RE2 Remake, RE3 Remake, and Village. This entry pushes the engine further with path traced lighting that includes ray traced global illumination, ray traced shadows, and ray traced ambient occlusion. These cutting-edge rendering techniques create photorealistic lighting that responds naturally to environments, enhancing the horror atmosphere through realistic shadow play and light sources.
The Nintendo Switch 2 Surprise
Perhaps the most surprising announcement regarding Resident Evil Requiem involves its simultaneous launch on Nintendo Switch 2 alongside PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. Capcom revealed that when they originally planned the game, a Switch 2 version wasn’t considered since Nintendo hadn’t officially revealed the system. However, after acquiring development kits, they tested the hardware by prototyping a Resident Evil Village port.
Producer Masato Kumazawa explained that seeing Village run smoothly on Switch 2 gave them confidence to attempt bringing the in-development Requiem to the system. When that port also showed promising results, Capcom decided not to wait for a separate delayed release and instead immediately added Switch 2 to the day-one platform lineup. This decision makes Requiem the first mainline Resident Evil to launch simultaneously on Nintendo hardware alongside other platforms since the GameCube era.
Triple Launch Strategy on Switch 2
Capcom isn’t just bringing Requiem to Switch 2 but also releasing Resident Evil 7: Biohazard and Resident Evil Village on February 27, 2026, creating a unique triple launch. Kumazawa explained this strategy appeals to series newcomers by allowing them to either start with RE7 and play through chronologically to Requiem, or jump straight into the newest entry. Since RE7 is widely considered a soft reboot of the franchise, it serves as a natural starting point for players unfamiliar with decades of series lore.
A cloud version of RE7 previously released on the original Switch, which Kumazawa said served as a bit of a baseline for developers working with Nintendo hardware. However, the Switch 2 versions run natively rather than streaming from servers, providing the full console experience without internet requirements or compression artifacts that plagued cloud releases.
Development Journey and Direction
Koshi Nakanishi directs Resident Evil Requiem, the same director behind the acclaimed Resident Evil 7: Biohazard that revitalized the series in 2017. During a July 2024 Capcom Showcase, Nakanishi revealed that Requiem was initially conceived as an online open world multiplayer game. However, the concept was scrapped during early development stages because the team felt it wasn’t what the fans wanted.
This decision demonstrates Capcom’s willingness to course-correct when projects stray from franchise identity. The disastrous reception of multiplayer-focused spin-offs like Resident Evil Resistance and RE:Verse showed that fans primarily want single-player survival horror experiences with strong narratives. Nakanishi’s leadership steering development back toward traditional RE gameplay likely saved Requiem from becoming another failed experiment.
Returning to True Survival Horror
Capcom’s marketing emphasizes that Requiem really wants to scare players, unlike some previous RE titles that prioritized action over horror. The developers recognize that entries like RE5 and RE6 drifted too far toward cooperative action shooting, diluting the survival horror tension that defined the franchise. While those games found commercial success, they divided fans who wanted the series to return to its roots of resource scarcity, puzzle-solving, and genuine dread.
Grace’s characterization as a non-combat specialist reinforces this survival horror focus. Where Leon and Chris punch through problems with military training and superhuman resilience, Grace must rely on stealth, intelligence, and resourcefulness to survive. This vulnerability places players in constant danger similar to early franchise entries where Jill and Claire felt genuinely threatened by zombies rather than mowing them down with unlimited ammunition.
The 30th Anniversary Context
Resident Evil will celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2026, having launched in March 1996 on the original PlayStation. The franchise has expanded far beyond video games to include movies, animated series, novels, comics, and merchandise that generated billions in revenue. Requiem’s February 27 launch positions it as the marquee release for anniversary celebrations throughout the year.
The promised franchise celebration video accompanying the pre-order announcement likely showcases three decades of Resident Evil history, highlighting iconic moments, characters, and innovations that made the series a cultural phenomenon. These retrospectives build nostalgia while introducing newer fans to the franchise’s legacy, creating marketing momentum as older players share memories and younger audiences discover what they missed.
Pre-Order Anticipation and Collector Editions
While Capcom hasn’t detailed what pre-order bonuses or collector editions will be available, past RE releases provide clues about potential offerings. Previous games featured steelbook cases, art books, figurines, clothing items, weapon skins, in-game currency, and early access to exclusive content. Requiem will likely follow similar patterns with tiered editions ranging from standard digital and physical copies to premium collector packages with physical memorabilia.
The October 29 pre-order date arrives nearly four months before launch, giving Capcom substantial time to build hype through gameplay reveals, developer interviews, and marketing campaigns. This window also positions pre-orders to capture holiday gift purchases from fans who want to ensure day-one access to the highly anticipated sequel.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I pre-order Resident Evil Requiem?
Pre-orders for Resident Evil Requiem open on October 29, 2025 across all platforms. Capcom will also release a video celebrating the Resident Evil franchise alongside the pre-order launch.
What platforms will Resident Evil Requiem release on?
Resident Evil Requiem launches February 27, 2026 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC via Steam, and Nintendo Switch 2. This marks the first mainline RE game to launch day-one on Nintendo hardware in years.
Who is the protagonist in Resident Evil Requiem?
Players control Grace Ashcroft, an FBI technical analyst rather than a combat-trained operative. Capcom describes her as an introverted bookworm who feels powerless due to not being proficient in combat like previous protagonists, making her more vulnerable and relatable.
Does Resident Evil Requiem take place in Raccoon City?
Yes, Requiem returns to Raccoon City approximately 30 years after its destruction in Resident Evil 3. Grace investigates mysterious deaths at the Wrenwood Hotel, where her mother died eight years earlier, uncovering what happened to the city after the nuclear strike.
Can I play in first-person or third-person?
For the first time in recent RE history, players can switch between first-person and third-person perspectives at any time during gameplay. First-person offers tense realistic gameplay while third-person provides action-packed gameplay according to Capcom.
Will Resident Evil 7 and Village come to Switch 2?
Yes, Capcom announced that Resident Evil 7: Biohazard, Resident Evil Village, and Resident Evil Requiem will all launch on Nintendo Switch 2 on February 27, 2026. These are native versions, not cloud streaming releases like the original Switch received.
What makes Resident Evil Requiem different from recent games?
Requiem features a non-combat protagonist who must rely on stealth and resourcefulness, perspective switching between first and third-person views, a persistent stalker enemy with advanced AI that pursues through walls and ceilings, and a return to Raccoon City 30 years after its destruction.
The Nightmare Awaits
Resident Evil Requiem represents Capcom’s commitment to delivering the survival horror experiences fans demand while incorporating lessons learned from both successes and missteps across 30 years of franchise history. The combination of a vulnerable protagonist, dual perspective options, advanced stalker AI, and return to Raccoon City creates anticipation that this entry will recapture the dread and tension that made early games legendary. With pre-orders opening October 29 and a franchise celebration video on the horizon, the marketing machine shifts into high gear ahead of the February 27, 2026 launch across all major platforms including the surprise day-one Switch 2 release. For Resident Evil fans, the nightmare truly does begin soon.