The latest trailer for "Resident Evil: Requiem," recently dropped by NVIDIA, has sent shockwaves through the gaming community. It offers a rare glimpse of a bustling city street, complete with cars and pedestrians – a stark departure from the series' signature claustrophobic environments and oppressive atmosphere. This unexpected setting has many wondering if a major shift is on the horizon for the venerable horror franchise.
While the trailer only briefly showcases the urban sprawl and protagonist Grace Ashcroft navigating its streets, it's been enough to spark a flurry of diverse interpretations.
Some players are already raving about the stunning graphics and intricate details, while others are voicing concerns about whether the RE ENGINE is truly suited for more open-ended environments. The big question on everyone's mind: Is Capcom gearing up to dive into the open-world genre?
However, a segment of the fandom remains cautiously optimistic, speculating that this urban segment might just be a fleeting cutscene or a small, linear portion of the game, rather than a fully explorable open world. The trailer's mix of day and night scenes is also being chalked up by some as a mere technical showcase, not necessarily a reflection of the game's actual pacing or structural design.
Historically, cities in the Resident Evil universe have almost always been depicted as desolate and ravaged. This new vision of a "normally functioning city" is a radical departure, evoking a visual vibe closer to titles like GTA or Watch Dogs. It's a fresh, yet unsettling, experience for many long-time fans. 
Capcom has been notoriously tight-lipped about "Resident Evil: Requiem," only recently confirming that Leon S. Kennedy will join the fray as a co-protagonist. The true extent of the city's role and whether it will fundamentally alter the series' core identity remains a mystery, one that future announcements will hopefully unravel.
via： IGN