Resident Evil fans, get ready to mark your calendars—Capcom has officially announced that Resident Evil Requiem will launch worldwide on February 27, 2026. The news was revealed during a packed digital Resident Evil Showcase on January 16, 2026, which unveiled a slew of details about the highly anticipated title, its gameplay innovations, collaborations, and commemorative events for the franchise’s 30th anniversary.
Available across PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S, Steam, Epic Games Store, and GeForce NOW cloud gaming service, Resident Evil Requiem is shaping up to be a landmark entry in the iconic survival horror series. Players will be able to experience the story through the eyes of two protagonists: returning fan-favorite Leon S. Kennedy and newcomer FBI analyst Grace Ashcroft. According to Capcom, this dual-protagonist approach offers “a unique combination of death-defying action and spine-tingling survival horror.”
Director Koshi Nakanishi, speaking at the showcase, explained the contrasting gameplay experiences. “Grace’s parts are more similar to Resident Evil 2 & 7…whereas Leon’s part is closer to the thrilling tension featured in Resident Evil 4,” Nakanishi said, as reported by CGMagazine. “By combining Grace’s horror and Leon’s action and allowing you to play them side-by-side, we created an experience with an emotional range unlike any other Resident Evil to date.”
Players can switch between first-person and third-person perspectives at any time during gameplay, a feature designed to maximize immersion and player choice. Leon’s sections are all about action: he wields firearms and a new hatchet for close-quarters combat, can pin zombies against walls, and even parry enemy attacks to execute dramatic finishing moves. The hatchet, however, loses sharpness with use and must be maintained with a whetstone, adding a layer of strategy to every encounter.
Grace’s segments, by contrast, lean heavily into classic survival horror. Limited resources and inventory space mean every bullet and bandage counts. She can craft items using infected blood with a special device, sometimes concocting mixtures that cause zombies to explode. In a nod to the game’s title, Grace also wields the powerful Requiem assault revolver, a last-resort weapon with scarce ammunition. “Players must be far more aware of their surroundings, as resources are limited and zombies pose a greater threat,” Nakanishi noted.
The zombies themselves are not your typical shambling undead. This time, they retain behaviors and fixations from their past lives—a chef zombie obsessed with cooking, a singer who keeps singing, and even a janitor endlessly polishing mirrors. As highlighted by HipHopWired, players can observe and exploit these quirks to outmaneuver their foes. One particularly haunting detail: some zombies will even attempt to speak to Grace, deepening the sense of unease and tragedy that permeates the game.
Difficulty settings are designed to cater to both newcomers and seasoned veterans. There are three modes: Casual (which includes aim assist for easier targeting), Standard, and Classic. In Classic mode, saving the game as Grace requires collecting ink ribbons, a throwback sure to delight longtime fans and ratchet up the tension. “A very intriguing twist that we will definitely be partaking in,” HipHopWired commented.
Capcom isn’t just innovating in gameplay—they’re also celebrating the franchise’s legacy through a series of high-profile collaborations and collectibles. Swiss watchmaker Hamilton has designed two limited-edition watches, mirroring those worn by Leon and Grace in-game. Only 2,000 units of each will be available worldwide, launching the same day as the game. Porsche, meanwhile, has contributed a custom Cayenne Turbo GT, created with advanced 3D printing technology, which will serve as Leon’s vehicle in the game’s dark world. “For his adventures, Leon needed a car which represents his style, but also delivers when it comes to navigating him through all of those dangerous moments he experiences in the game,” said Porsche’s Niklas Krellenberg, as cited by CGMagazine.
Collectors can also look forward to 1/6 scale figures of both protagonists, which can be displayed individually or together and are compatible with previous Resident Evil figurines. These will be available in fall 2026, offering fans the opportunity to immortalize their favorite characters on their shelves.
To mark the series’ 30th anniversary, Capcom announced orchestral concerts under the banner “Resident Evil Symphony of Legacy,” to be held across Japan, North America, and Europe. These performances promise to bring the haunting music of the franchise to life, providing a fitting tribute to three decades of survival horror history.
On the technology front, Resident Evil Requiem will take advantage of NVIDIA’s latest DLSS 4 and path-tracing technology, promising enhanced performance and image quality for high-end PC gamers. According to NVIDIA’s Keita Iida, “The iconic series has been thrilling fans around the world for close to 30 years and has continued to raise the bar for innovation and technology with every single release.” For those with more modest hardware, the game’s availability on GeForce NOW ensures that players can enjoy the horror wherever they are, even on mobile devices and TVs that support the service.
Capcom is also offering a range of editions and bonuses to entice players. The Deluxe Edition of the game features extra costumes, weapon skins, screen filters, and charms, while all pre-orders come with Grace’s gritty “Apocalypse” costume as a bonus. For Nintendo fans, a special edition Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller styled in gunmetal-inspired black will be available at launch, alongside the first-ever Resident Evil amiibo, featuring Grace, arriving in Summer 2026. And for those who purchase the game via the Epic Games Store, exclusive Resident Evil-themed items will be unlocked in Fortnite, including a Grace outfit.
To further sweeten the deal, Resident Evil 7 Biohazard Gold Edition and Resident Evil Village Gold Edition will launch on Nintendo Switch 2 the same day as Resident Evil Requiem, with bundled options available for those eager to experience the franchise’s recent history in one go.
With a blend of new gameplay mechanics, fan-service collaborations, and nods to Resident Evil’s storied past, Resident Evil Requiem is shaping up to be an unmissable entry for both die-hard fans and newcomers. Whether you’re looking for heart-pounding action, atmospheric horror, or just a chance to collect some truly unique memorabilia, February 27, 2026, is a date to remember.
