Resident Evil Requiem is gearing up for its February 28, 2026, release, offering one last sneak peek for players. Discover how its dual-protagonist gameplay shapes the experience, and why the game opts against an open-world design.
Resident Evil Requiem Final Preview Builds Hype
Two Different Games in One
Resident Evil Requiem has revealed more details about the game’s dual-protagonist setup ahead of its February 28 launch, highlighting the distinct gameplay styles between Leon and Grace.
In an interview with Eurogamer, Game Director Koshi Nakanishi wants to avoid the common pitfall of Resident Evil 6’s multi-protagonist story with its jumbled pacing. Rather, he thinks Requiem’s dual-protagonist structure resembles that of a sushi, saying "Even if you think you want one style, the 'flavor' of this game comes from the combination of the two styles."
Leon’s Gameplay is Action Packed
First revealed during last week’s Resident Evil Showcase, Leon Kennedy’s gameplay marks a return to the more modern titles like Resident Evil 4 and 6, with a strong focus on the action-horror formula. The recently unveiled previews show Leon effortlessly taking down the game’s new breed of undead. His signature backflips and roundhouse kicks make a comeback, but perhaps the most surprising aspect of his style is his heightened aggression. He can now grab a zombie’s chainsaw and turn it to his advantage, rather than leaving it unused on the floor like previous entries.
In a separate PlayStation interview, Nakanishi described Leon as a troubled soul: "He’s seen a lot. He’s been through a lot. That’s a weight that weighs down on him. You’ll see that weight reflected in Leon’s appearance and personality in Requiem." Nakanishi also characterized Leon’s current state in Requiem as "more pessimistic."
In addition to his new and returning moves, Leon in Requiem will also have fresh tools in his arsenal. Beyond the usual pistols and pump-action shotguns, Leon wields a hatchet as a melee weapon, similar to his knife in Resident Evil 4. He can parry, deal substantial melee damage to zombies, and pry open locked doors and cabinets. Previews reveal that Leon’s hatchet features a sharpness meter, requiring players to maintain it for optimal damage. This gives the Resident Evil heartthrob a significant advantage against close-range threats, especially since Requiem’s undead include larger stalker-type enemies like the "Chunk" and zombies that retain their pre-infection personalities, making them far more dangerous.
Capcom has also confirmed that weapon upgrades will return, allowing players to enhance Leon’s weapons in terms of power, stability, reload speed, and more. It remains unclear whether Grace will use the same upgrade system, as her gameplay is more grounded in a true survival-horror experience, focusing on constant resource management and fleeing from the terrors around her.
Grace Embraces Survival-Horror Roots
Unlike Leon’s mishmash of bullets and viscera, Grace’s gameplay will be more subdued. Like classic survival horror protagonists, she has to evade dangerous threats, solve puzzles, and rely on less-than-ideal weapons to combat the terrors. Players would have to constantly check their ammo count and health items as they did with Ethan Winters’ adventures in Resident Evil 7 and Village.
Grace’s gameplay novelty relies on her knowledge against this new infection. Her "Item Crafting" mechanic has her collecting blood samples from enemies and the environment, using them to create healing herbs.
Another survival horror staple that sets Grace from Leon apart is in their inventory management. Grace uses the standard eight-slot inventory players are familiar with in Resident Evil 2. This requires multiple trips to item storage boxes and finding inventory upgrades to maximize. Leon, on the other hand, has his iconic 7x10 grid attache case inventory in Resident Evil 2 and 4, where players can sort and organize as they please.
One interesting thing from the previews, which was also revealed in the Resident Evil Showcase, is the eponymous "Requiem" gun. This high-powered revolver can deal significant damage against the infected, and it can pierce through multiple bodies. In the Resident Evil Showcase, Capcom notes that this is the ideal weapon for Grace, acting as a last-resort option when she’s surrounded or cornered by hordes of undead.
The previews did not confirm whether Leon will have access to the gun, as he is seen handing it to Grace instead. Its origins remain shrouded in mystery, leaving fans eager to discover what role the Requiem gun will play in the main story.
No Open World for Resident Evil Requiem
GameSpot’s interview with Game Producer Masato Kumazawa also reaffirms that Resident Evil Requiem will not have an open-world aspect, as fans speculated. In the same interview, Director Nakanishi added that, "...the idea was basically to evolve the gameplay that was in Resident Evil 2 and 4."
Speculation about the game being open world came from fans expecting Leon Kennedy to ride around Raccoon City using his Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT. Recent revelations have disproven such speculations. Instead, Capcom improves on what previous RE titles have built with its linear exploration, like standard hallways, save room stations, and an atrium-like design similar to Resident Evil 2’s Raccoon City Police Station.
With its February 28, 2026, launch fast approaching, Resident Evil Requiem is shaping up to be the series’ most ambitious with its varied dual-protagonist setup. While it’s still too early to judge how this approach will play out overall, the early impressions are promising.
Source:
Resident Evil Requiem is Not Open World, Capcom Says
Resident Evil Requiem PlayStation Blog
Resident Evil Requiem Promises Distinct Dual Protagonist Stories
