Resident Evil Requiem: Gameplay reveals the new horror heroine

When Capcom unveiled Resident Evil Requiem during the Spotlight event, it didn't just reveal its first glimpse of gameplay: it also broke with tradition. For the first time in a mainline installment of the series, the iconic Leon S. Kennedy isn't the main character in the story. The reason? According to the creators, making a horror game with him simply doesn't fit anymore.

Director Koshi Nakanishi put it bluntly: "No one wants to see Leon scared by anything." His confidence, his composure, have become a shield that prevents fear from penetrating the screen. But the new concept demands something different. The terror in Requiem is built from emotional fragility.

Instead of Leon, we'll meet Grace Ashcroft , an FBI analyst with very different traits from the saga's usual protagonists. She's introverted, easily frightened, but at the same time has the tools to defend herself. She's not a perfect heroine, but one who evolves with each step she takes in the darkness.

“We wanted someone who experienced fear from the player’s perspective,” Nakanishi noted. Grace embodies that emotional journey: that of the viewer facing the unknown, learning to survive. Her development as a character not only makes her relatable, but also the perfect vehicle for the new concept: addictive fear .

“Addictive fear” isn't just a marketing phrase. It's the cornerstone of this ninth installment. As Nakanishi explained, there's something almost pleasurable about overcoming your fears within a safe environment like a video game. That catharsis is what drives players to keep going, to face the unknown, despite the scares.

This approach not only redefines gameplay, but also narrative. Tension builds through a dense atmosphere, slow exploration, and moments of vulnerability. And that's where Grace shines. Because fear isn't just frightening... it's also engaging.

Unlike past leaks that pointed to co-op multiplayer, producer Masachika Kawata confirmed that Resident Evil Requiem will be a single-player offline game. A decision that marks a return to the purest roots of survival horror.

This design allows for a more intimate, player-centric experience, where every dark corner, every misstep, carries emotional weight.

Resident Evil Requiem will be available on February 27 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S and PC . Although a demo has not been announced, the gameplay shown already shows a solid proposal, very focused on reviving what made the franchise great: fear, tension and a protagonist who grows with the player.