Capcom recently promised fans a Resident Evil Showcase centered on Resident Evil Requiem, following the major reveal of Leon S. Kennedy in the third trailer at The Game Awards 2025. While many details about the ninth installment remain under wraps, the new information suggests that Requiem could be the pinnacle of the franchise.
Capcom appears to be keeping much of RE9's story, locations, and returning characters a secret. We do know that Leon will return to Raccoon City, and characters from Resident Evil Outbreak will make an appearance.
Fortunately, it seems we won't see much more until the launch on February 27, which I find quite satisfying.
Admittedly, the game's marketing was slow prior to The Game Awards 2025, but after this year's showcase, I'm thrilled with what Requiem has in store – the revealed features and some omissions have left me eager to play.
Note: this article contains a few images from the horror game series that some may find graphic.
1. Leon S. Kennedy's Stylish Melee Finishers
After nearly 400 hours with the Resident Evil 4 remake, I didn't think Capcom could enhance Leon S. Kennedy's melee and combat skills. With roundhouse kicks, knife parries, and suplexes, RE4 already offers thrilling combat.
However, Capcom seems to have taken it a step further, as every second of Leon's gameplay reveal showcased jaw-dropping action, featuring some of the most brutal and stylish melee moves in the series.
While Grace's gameplay focuses on survival horror, Leon is dispatching zombies with flair. There's undoubtedly more to discover, but from what we've seen, players can expect intense and stylish combat.
Perhaps Leon is evolving into a character akin to Dante; interestingly, Devil May Cry originated from RE4's development, so it's no surprise that Capcom is portraying Leon as a seasoned monster slayer.
2. Capcom's Early Development Gameplay
Capcom has shared a glimpse of Resident Evil Requiem during its early development phase, which initially aimed for an open-world multiplayer format but was scrapped due to fan feedback.
At the Resident Evil Showcase, we saw a different version of what was developed for RE9, diverging from the early multiplayer concept.
The game's director, Koshi Nakanishi, previously mentioned that Capcom considered making Leon the main protagonist but ultimately decided against it, believing he wouldn't fit the horror narrative. This led to speculation about his absence in RE9.
The footage revealed gameplay from those initial plans, showcasing a slower-paced horror style that won't be present in the final game. However, similar sequences may appear when playing as Grace, which is promising.
Resident Evil 7 is the scariest in the series, and the early footage of Leon's horror-based gameplay suggests that Grace's segments in RE9 will be terrifying.
3. Dynamic Stealth Sequences
Stealth gameplay has been attempted in the franchise, particularly in the Resident Evil 4 remake, but it didn't quite succeed. Many argue that the stealth segments in RE4 lack genuine stealth mechanics.
Resident Evil Requiem aims to enhance this aspect, offering both Leon and Grace opportunities for varied play styles.
Nakanishi states that RE9 will feature multiple dynamic encounters, allowing players to choose between combat or evasion, with Grace likely opting for the latter.
This marks the franchise's first true attempt at stealth gameplay, and while we've only seen brief glimpses, it looks promising.
4. Zombies Maintaining Human Personalities
One of the most chilling revelations from the Resident Evil Showcase is that zombies in Requiem retain human personalities. This was hinted at in the third trailer, featuring a talking chainsaw-wielding zombie, and appears to be Capcom's way of adding depth to the story and enemy encounters.
Enemies will continue tasks they were familiar with in life, such as a chef in the kitchen or cleaners attempting to tidy up. This unpredictability will lead to unique enemy encounters, as players may not anticipate the next move.
I suspect that zombies might be aware of their actions but are powerless to stop themselves from attacking the protagonists, and the unsettling smiles with tears rolling down their faces raise questions about the virus's effects.
5. Capcom is Hiding a Huge Requiem Bombshell
The Resident Evil Showcase lasted only 12 minutes, including some advertisements related to RE9, indicating that much remains unknown about Requiem. However, we do know that Elpis plays a significant role in the story and Leon S. Kennedy's involvement.
It's evident from the third trailer and gameplay reveal that Leon either has a severe neck scar (possibly from the Wrenwood Hotel fire) or is infected with the virus affecting several characters in the game.
Capcom has highlighted this in multiple shots, suggesting that Leon's potential infection may be crucial to the plot, but I doubt that's his only secret.
It's challenging to pinpoint what that secret is (well done, Capcom), but it seems to relate to the death of Grace's mother, Alyssa Ashcroft. I believe it will be a significant plot twist revealed as the story unfolds, and I eagerly await the chance to uncover that mystery on February 27.