Resident Evil Requiem Showcase Recap: Leon Playable, Switch 2 Confirmed & Release Date
Capcom’s January 15 showcase shattered expectations for Resident Evil Requiem. We finally have confirmation that the title lands on Xbox, PC, PlayStation, and the elusive Nintendo Switch 2 on February 27, 2026.
Director Koshi Nakanishi didn’t just drop a release date. He exposed a bifurcated gameplay loop that forces players to master two completely different survival styles.
Leon vs. Grace: Requiem Gameplay Mechanics
The biggest reveal confirms Leon S. Kennedy as a fully playable protagonist, not just an NPC. His sections pivot hard into Resident Evil 4 territory. Nakanishi showcased Leon using a sharpenable hatchet for melee combat and, in a brutal twist, wielding a chainsaw against the infected.
Grace’s campaign creates a sharp mechanical contrast. She relies on the “Requiem” revolver, a tool designed to extract infected blood rather than just kill. You must harvest this blood to craft essential survival gear. This creates a risk-reward loop: do you kill the zombie for safety, or keep it alive long enough to drain it?
RE Requiem Difficulty Modes & Ink Ribbons
Capcom is aggressively targeting franchise purists. Requiem introduces three difficulty settings, but “Standard (Classic)” stands out.
This mode restores the infamous Ink Ribbons. You cannot autosave; you must locate typewriters and consume a ribbon to record progress. It’s a direct challenge to modern gamers relying on checkpoints, layering authentic tension over the new mechanics.
The Elpis Theory in Resident Evil Requiem
The infected in Requiem break the traditional mold. The showcase footage highlighted “echoes” of humanity: a custodian zombie scrubbing floors and another obsessively pressing elevator buttons.
The narrative hook revolves around “Elpis,” a term Leon connects to the murder of Grace’s mother. Combined with the visible bite mark on Leon’s neck in the trailer, the lore suggests a virus that preserves personality while destroying the mind.
Resident Evil Requiem Editions & Collectibles
Capcom made a controversial move regarding physical goods. There is no traditional Collector’s Edition containing the game and statues in one box.
Instead, they are selling premium standalone statues of Grace and Leon. If you want the physical collectibles, you must buy them separately from the software. For the game itself, the Deluxe Edition remains the smartest buy for extra content without the shipping hassle of imported figures.
A worthy duo to face the terrors.
— Capcom Europe (@CapcomEurope) January 15, 2026
Grace Ashcroft and Leon S. Kennedy 1/6 scale statues coming in fall 2026.
More details later this year. pic.twitter.com/Rf56oKs6eq
Verdict: The Split-Protagonist Gamble
Resident Evil Requiem is taking a massive risk by splitting its identity between high-octane chainsaw action and blood-harvesting horror. The addition of the Switch 2 platform at launch suggests highly scalable tech, but the real test will be if these two gameplay styles can coexist without jarring the player.
Are you brave enough to turn off autosaves and play on “Standard Classic” day one?
A video game enthusiast ever since I first got my hands on a Game Boy. Over the years, I've played many different games across various genres, discovering hidden gems and niche titles along the way. I'm also passionate about technology, always up-to-date with the latest news and insight in the PC and Console market. Ready to share and bring you the latest news !
Download the Allkeyshop Browser Extension Free
For all the latest video game news, trailers, and best deals, make sure to bookmark us.
You can find all the best and cheapest online deals on CD keys, game codes, gift cards, and antivirus software from the verified CD key sellers on our store pages.
To not miss any news on Allkeyshop, subscribe on
Google News
.
MORE RELEVANT ARTICLES
