I played Resident Evil Requiem — and it’s already my most anticipated game of 2026

Resident Evil Requiem promises a big return to the survival horror gameplay that made Capcom’s long-running franchise popular. That’s not to say Resident Evil Village wasn’t frightening, but it contained far more action than the more methodically-paced Resident Evil 7: Biohazard.

The upcoming ninth installment aims to channel some of the latter’s energy. I couldn’t be happier.

During Capcom’s recent “Gamescom in NYC” press event, I went hands-on with Resident Evil Requiem. Based on my brief time with the demo, it was clear that this entry will contain all the necessary elements you’d want in a Resident Evil game. Spooky, poorly-lit mansion? Check. Environmental puzzles? Double check. Huge monster stalking you? You better believe it.

Though I once said GTA 6 is my most anticipated game of 2026, that honor now goes to Resident Evil Requiem. GTA 6 will be incredible, but I have a longer relationship with the Resident Evil series, and this next game seems to have everything I want.

But even if you’re new to the series, there’s a lot to like thanks to the survival horror gameplay and disturbingly gorgeous graphics. Here’s why I’m stoked for Resident Evil Requiem.

Bring on the scary

The demo I played begins in appropriately horrific fashion as the game’s protagonist, Grace Ashcroft, finds herself strapped upside down to a stretcher. The IV needle seemingly draining her of blood and medical devices monitoring her vitals only serve to heighten the tension. I won’t spoil how, but Grace frees herself and discovers she’s in some sort of abandoned medical facility.

Save for lightning flashes from a thunderstorm raging outside and several red emergency lights, the claustrophobic halls Grace has to navigate through are nearly pitch-black. She eventually finds a lighter to help her see in the dark, but it doesn't illuminate much. This is a game you’ll want to play in a dark room to fully appreciate the murky ambiance.

There are a few fun jump scares that I won’t spoil here, but I’ll say they were all crafted well and didn’t feel forced. In contrast, the slow way that a giant monster gets revealed felt more horrifying than any of the jump scares I experienced. The fact that I couldn’t do anything but watch during this moment just made things scarier.

Amping up the horror is that I had no weapons. I found a case of bullets in an office, but no gun to load those bullets into. All I had was a lighter and a couple of empty glass bottles. That’s not much to stave off an angry monster, but I did throw the bottles to create noise to distract the creature so I could get away.

I had to evade my pursuer while trying to find a fuse to connect to a door I had to open to make my escape. Like with past Resident Evil games, there’s a fair bit of backtracking involved when trying to locate items. But since I was in a small medical facility, it wasn’t difficult to eventually find what I needed. Exploration is one of my favorite aspects of Resident Evil, so I’m glad it’s just as satisfying in Requiem.

A different perspective

The last two mainline Resident Evil games featured a first-person perspective that served to amplify the terror. This perspective also separated these titles from the Resident Evil remakes, which feature a third-person view. Though Requiem is a sequel to the first-person games, you can also play it in third-person mode. That makes it an interesting bridge between the two types of Resident Evil experiences.

I played the demo in both perspectives and ultimately settled on third-person. Not only does this make it feel more like a “traditional” Resident Evil, but it’s also somewhat less scary playing with the camera behind the character’s shoulder. That said, being able to see Grace flinch when she hears or sees something suspicious can be appropriately frightening.

I’m glad that Capcom will let us to freely switch between first- and third-person perspectives on the fly. Having that choice should make it easier for more people to enjoy this game, especially if they’re not fond of first-person. I’m looking forward to doing full playthroughs in both perspectives to really get the most from this game.

Detailed graphics

Resident Evil Requiem wouldn’t be nearly as terrifying if not for its incredibly realistic graphics and moody lighting. Capcom’s RE Engine has always delivered stunning visuals, but it’s definitely pulling overtime here. This is a game you’ll want to play on one of the best OLED TVs or best gaming monitors.

There is no single thing that stands out, as everything comes to life in great detail. For instance, Grace’s sweat-covered skin glistens realistically, and you can even see her face redden when she’s stressed. The monster, with its lanky limbs and tattered rags, also has an extraordinary amount of detail. Of course, the abandoned medical facility, with its tight halls and dim lighting, also appears spectacular.

I’m sure Resident Evil Requiem will have all manner of impressively unsettling environments and undead monsters. In that sense, I’m sure what I experienced is nothing compared to what’s ahead. But based on the demo I played, I can already tell this is going to be one of the best-looking games of this entire generation.

Outlook

Though I’m sure Resident Evil Requiem will still have its fair share of action-filled moments, I’m glad that it’s emphasizing survival horror. It doesn’t get scarier than evading a terrifying creature through a dark environment, armed with little more than a lighter and a bottle. If the entire game can maintain the tension and dread of the demo, we’re all in for a frighteningly good time.

Resident Evil Requiem for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S comes out on February 27, 2026.

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