Resident Evil: Requiem Gameplay Reveal: New Mechanics, But Merch Steals the Show

Capcom dropped a new Resident Evil series announcement in January 2026, putting the spotlight squarely on the upcoming "Resident Evil: Requiem," set to launch in late February. The official pre-show hype promised fresh gameplay and news, naturally drawing a massive crowd of eager players.

But once the dust settled, many viewers felt the actual new info was pretty thin, with the overall presentation playing it safe – some even called it more of a merch showcase than a game reveal.

The presentation did confirm multiple difficulty settings. Beyond the story-focused Casual and Standard modes, they're bringing back a "Standard (Classic)" difficulty that requires players to collect ink ribbons to save at typewriters – a clear nod to the series' roots.

Plus, a new crafting system concept was unveiled: some crucial items can only be synthesized by defeating zombies and collecting infected blood. This forces protagonist Grace, who isn't exactly a combat expert, to make tough choices under immense survival pressure.

What really got people talking was the zombies' behavior. The demo showed some undead still mimicking their pre-death routines – one kept cleaning, another repeatedly pressed an elevator button. There were even instances of zombies seemingly able to converse normally with Grace, hinting at major shifts in the virus or infection mechanics. This setup not only ramps up the psychological horror but also leaves a ton of plot mysteries hanging.

However, compared to the actual game content, the presentation spent a disproportionate amount of time on physical merchandise. We saw everything from limited-edition collaboration watches, themed controllers, and amiibo, to symphony concerts and character figures. Even Leon S. Kennedy's exclusive accessories got a major spotlight, leading some players to openly call out the skewed focus.

"Resident Evil: Requiem" drops on Xbox, PC, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch 2 on February 27, 2026. Whether it lives up to these intriguing hints remains the burning question for players.

via: IGN