For practically 30 years, developer Capcom has been redefining its explicit model of survival horror for the Resident Evil sequence. Regardless of its tone shifting between action-horror video games and extra pure horror entries, the place gamers face down grotesque moments with scant assets, the sequence nonetheless manages to put gamers in tense encounters that outline the sequence’ against-all-odds method to horror. And with the upcoming Resident Evil Requiem — or RE9 — seems to proceed the sequence’ present momentum in delivering compelling horror experiences.

Simply forward of Gamescom 2025, I bought to expertise the opening of Resident Evil Requiem, specializing in new protagonist Grace Ashcroft (daughter of Alyssa Ashcroft from Resident Evil Outbreak) and her determined try at fleeing a horrifying clinic inside an odd mansion. Capcom’s return to conventional survival horror was probably the greatest video games showcased at Summer Game Fest 2025, and spending extra time with it lately made me respect the sequence’ renewed imaginative and prescient — even when it is a bit acquainted.

Very similar to latest core entries within the Resident Evil sequence — VII and Village — Resident Evil Requiem locations a eager concentrate on immersion, really capturing that sense of dread as you stroll down the halls of an unnerving facility. The bigger story of Requiem appears to be pointing in the direction of a homecoming of types for the sequence’ most pivotal occasion — the destruction of Raccoon Metropolis in Resident Evil 2 and 3. Whereas Requiem‘s story will increase right into a extra bold scope, the demo I performed targeted on Grace’s harrowing try to flee her abductors.

On this sequence, Grace frees herself from an inverted hospital gurney and finds herself trapped in a ruined clinic crammed with the our bodies of lifeless medical doctors. Consistent with the model of horror from the Resident Evil 2 remake and Resident Evil Village, I used to be being stalked by an imposing, grotesque monster hiding within the ceilings. With out weapons and with solely empty bottles for distractions and sources of sunshine to maintain the beast at bay, the sequence felt very very similar to a stealth puzzle sequence, the place I needed to look at the actions of the beast and determine a strategy to maneuver round it.

I had beforehand seen this explicit sequence throughout Summer season Recreation Fest 2025. Whereas I used to be impressed with its presentation — which options among the most spectacular lighting and character rendering I’ve seen from Capcom’s RE Engine — I discovered the premise and state of affairs to be considerably too acquainted than I might have preferred. Since Resident Evil VII, the sequence has leaned closely into placing gamers within the sequence’ most weak moments, which frequently entail being stalked by imposing foes with none means to defend oneself.

That sense of vulnerability can typically really feel performed out, particularly inside the present horror sport area, the place operating away from issues is its sub-genre. Nonetheless, attending to play Resident Evil Requiem correctly made me respect Capcom’s try to take care of the momentum from Resident Evil VII. And plenty of that needed to do with the truth that Requiem now stars a extra totally outlined protagonist. Ethan Winters from VII and Village was a faceless protagonist with considerably generic motivations, however he regularly grew to become extra well-rounded by the top of his story in Village. Now, with Grace, we’re thrust into an unfamiliar state of affairs, as she’s extra of an lively participant within the story — speaking to herself all through the demo — and I felt a stronger connection to her sense of vulnerability as a protagonist.

Certainly one of my favourite moments from the preview got here shortly after I encountered the monster for the primary time. After evading it, I went to the clinic’s waystation to discover a device to open a fuse field. As I used to be wheeling a cart over to an elevated toolbox, the creature got here into the room. As I attempted hiding behind the cart, the monster noticed me and smashed the cart into me, which despatched Grace hurling again to the wall. The beast then grabbed Grace and took an enormous chunk out of her shoulder. I used up my solely well being merchandise and fled the room, returning to the well-lit secure that began the preview. As soon as the monster was gone, I snuck again into the waystation to retrieve the merchandise — however extra fastidiously this time round. It was a scary second, however nonetheless completely thrilling, and it had me on edge for the remainder of the preview.

Very similar to Resident Evil VII and Village, Requiem is by default a first-person sport, which definitely creates a palpable sense of dread and uneasiness when exploring with a restricted perspective. Nonetheless, Requiem additionally adds the option to switch to third-person, which was launched post-launch for Resident Evil Village and its DLC, Shadows of Rose. Having performed the demo from each views, I used to be impressed with how effectively the presentation feels tuned for each kinds. The third-person perspective captures that sense of dread and provides within the expanded visibility, which gave me a transparent and distressing view of the monster stalking me from behind as I ran in the direction of the secure room.

Within the last stretch of my preview, I had all of the instruments I wanted to make my exit. Nonetheless, the storm outdoors the constructing blew out the lights within the space, permitting the monster to present chase. This dash to the end was tense and riveting. Even having seen the demo hands-off months prior, taking part in the sequence alone made for a charming expertise. As soon as Grace made her exit, she had one final confrontation with the monster earlier than the demo got here to an abrupt finish.

To this point, Resident Evil Requiem appears like a souped-up model of the immersive survival horror present in latest entries of the sequence — and it does very effectively based mostly on this preview. I appreciated simply how atmospheric this one, pretty restricted, space of the preview was — seeing the lengthy stretch of the hallway, with solely my lighter and a dim pink mild illuminating within the distance, made for a putting visible — particularly with the silhouette of the monster looming within the distance.

That mentioned, as effectively made as these sequences had been, I am already trying ahead to seeing what kind of different tips and occasions Requiem has in retailer. Whereas I used to be a bit combined on Village‘s Resident Evil amusement park-style construction, I am hoping Requiem will nonetheless take some massive swings with its new twist on the sequence’ survival horror. I’ve loads of questions on Resident Evil Requiem, however I am intrigued about what’s to come back for this sequence’ subsequent massive transfer forward.

Resident Evil Requiem can be launched on February 27, 2026 for PC, PS5, Xbox Collection X|S.