Capcom’s January 15, 2026 Resident Evil Showcase offered a closer look at how Resident Evil Requiem splits its gameplay between Grace Ashcroft’s resource-starved survival horror and Leon S. Kennedy’s more combat-focused sections. The game has since launched, and both protagonists can be played in first or third person.
What Leon does in Resident Evil Requiem
Leon’s showcase gameplay leans into direct combat, with an action style that recalls Resident Evil 4. He fights with firearms and a hatchet, and can make use of weapons dropped by enemies, including a chainsaw, according to MobileSyrup’s January 15, 2026 showcase report.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Resident Evil Requiem Amazon Exclusive Edition - PlayStation 5 | $49.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
007 First Light - Specialist Edition - PlayStation 5 | $69.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Resident Evil 7 biohazard Gold Edition - PlayStation 5 | $15.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Resident Evil 4 - PS5 | $15.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
PRAGMATA - PlayStation 5 | $59.88 | Buy on Amazon |
The current PlayStation US feature page adds more detail about Leon’s combat: he can use melee attacks and parries, pick up enemy weapons, and customize his weapons with parts. Those options make his side of the game more about engaging threats than avoiding them.
How Grace’s gameplay differs
Grace Ashcroft’s sections put the emphasis on survival. She has to manage limited supplies and weigh whether to fight or flee, rather than treating every encounter as a straightforward combat challenge. The showcase report described her environments as confined and resource-scarce.
#1 Best Overall
- Amazon Exclusive - 2 sided poster included in every game!
- Grace Ashcroft, an FBI intelligence analyst who is introverted and easily scared, representing a new type of character for the Resident Evil series. Grace will experience horror from the same perspective as the player as she learns to overcome her fears throughout the course of the story.
- For the first time ever in Resident Evil history, players will be able to freely switch between both first- and third-person perspectives throughout the game.
- An Anniversary to Remember: With March 2026 marking the Resident Evil series’ 30-year anniversary, Resident Evil Requiem marks its own milestone in the franchise.
- Pre-orders for Resident Evil Requiem are now open, with the bonus of Grace’s costume: Apocalypse. Please note that the picture weapon does not come with the costume, but it can be obtained in-game.
Grace can use blood from infected enemies to craft items, ammunition, and injectors, according to PlayStation’s current feature description. The January report also highlighted zombies with more human-like traits and limited speech. The two protagonists therefore create a deliberate contrast: Grace’s play revolves around scarcity and threat assessment, while Leon’s offers a broader set of combat actions.
Can you play as Leon or Grace in first person?
Yes. Both protagonists’ stories can be played in first-person or third-person perspective, and players can switch perspectives during play, Capcom says in its official showcase recap. The perspective choice applies to both characters rather than being limited to one campaign.
Rank #2
- ONLY AT AMAZON - SPECIALIST EDITION
- EARN THE NUMBER - Discover a new James Bond origin story, and the events that led a young maverick to become the best MI6 agent.
- A THRILLING ESPIONAGE ADVENTURE - Embark on missions in breathtaking locations, drive iconic vehicles, and dive into a cinematic adventure in pursuit of a rogue agent who’s always one step ahead.
- SPYING, YOUR WAY - Go silent or go loud. Whether fighting with fists or firepower, using gadgets to infiltrate, or bluffing your way past guards, the approach is entirely up to you.
What the January showcase revealed about the story
The showcase identified “Elpis” as a central mystery connected to the death of Grace’s mother. Capcom’s recap confirms that Grace and DSO agent Leon Kennedy are the game’s two protagonists, bringing the survival-horror and action sides of the story together.
Resident Evil Requiem release, platforms, and demo
Resident Evil Requiem launched on February 27, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC, according to Capcom’s March 4, 2026 release. Capcom Germany’s recap names Steam and the Epic Games Store for PC, and says the game was available on GeForce NOW from launch; using GeForce NOW requires a separate membership.
Recommended Free Tools
Rank #3
- FEAR COMES HOME -- Fear, combat, exploration, and item management: these are the four pillars of survival horror, a genre that has never been more masterfully executed than in the gameplay of Resident Evil. The horror continues in the ground-breaking Resident Evil 7. Step into the new Isolated View and experience true survival horror in a world created by the all-new RE Engine.
- DEEP IN THE BAYOU - When Ethan Winters opened his inbox, the last thing he expected was to find an email from his wife; she had been missing for three years. The message was simple: "Come get me," and an address in Louisiana. This leads Ethan to a decrepit mansion in the heart of the bayou. The place has a seriously creepy vibe, but Ethan continues his search – until a stranger attacks him and knocks him unconscious. Ethan has no idea what awaits him when he wakes up...for he is now in the clutches of the Baker family.
- A NEW PERSPECTIVE -- In RESIDENT EVIL 7, we're changing the way you interact with the world. For this next major entry in the series, play from a first-person point of view, dramatically increasing your ability to become fully absorbed in the world we have created.
- NEW FOR PLAYSTATION5 – Upgraded features new to the PlayStation5 version of the game include a higher frame rate, 3D audio, added ray tracing, and engaging DualSense support for Haptic Feedback and Adaptive Triggers.
A free demo is currently listed on the US PlayStation product page. That is a current listing, not a statement about what was available at the January showcase. The page also lists the game’s editions; check the listing for the options and availability relevant to your account and region.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Capcom’s latest sales figures
On March 4, 2026, Capcom reported that Resident Evil Requiem had sold more than 5 million units worldwide. The same release put cumulative sales for the Resident Evil series above 183 million units as of December 31, 2025.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Out-of-This-World Adventure – Stranded on a lunar space station, Hugh encounters Diana, a mysterious android resembling a young girl. While searching for a way back to Earth, they fight to survive against Bots directed to “neutralize” intruders.
- Hack & Shoot – Use each character’s distinct abilities to take down enemies. In combat, Diana can hack foes to expose weaknesses so Hugh can blast them with weapons. This unique fusion of gameplay offers an action-packed experience like no other.
- Space Exploration – Teamwork also extends to traversing the station. Utilize the thrusters in Hugh’s futuristic suit to dash and hover around while Diana hacks security systems to solve puzzles. Only together can they overcome all obstacles.
- Collect and Customize – Gather materials while exploring the station to unlock upgrades, build out a diverse arsenal of weapons, obtain new outfits, and more. Once you’re ready, use the new gear in battle and take on even greater challenges!
Rank #4
- Reawaken a Classic – Resident Evil 4 preserves the essence of the original game, now reconstructed using Capcom’s proprietary RE Engine to deliver realistic visuals and additional narrative depth to the iconic story that was not possible at the time of the original release.
- Modernized Gameplay – The team from 2019’s Resident Evil 2 returns to build upon the series’ modern approach to survival horror. Engage in frenzied combat with the Ganados villagers, explore a European village gripped by madness, and solve puzzles to access new areas and collect useful items for Leon and Ashley’s constant struggle to survive.
- Overwhelming Hordes – Face hordes of rabid enemies that threaten to overwhelm Leon with even more diverse methods of attack than in the original release.
- Survive on a Knife’s Edge – Years of intense training have taught Leon new ways to use his knife, helping to even the odds against the unrelenting onslaught of enemies. By parrying enemy attacks, you can avoid debilitating damage and evade lunging enemies seeking to grab Leon and hold him in place. Make smart use of scavenged knives to deliver precise finishing moves on vulnerable enemies, and even use the element of surprise to quietly dispatch unsuspecting foes before they break.
- Survive on a Knife’s Edge – Years of intense training have taught Leon new ways to use his knife, helping to even the odds against the unrelenting onslaught of enemies. By parrying enemy attacks, you can avoid debilitating damage and evade lunging enemies seeking to grab Leon and hold him in place. Make smart use of scavenged knives to deliver precise finishing moves on vulnerable enemies, and even use the element of surprise to quietly dispatch unsuspecting foes before they break.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
