Resident Evil Requiem: Everything We Know Before Launch

Resident Evil Requiem: Everything We Know Before Launch (Including the Parts Capcom Won’t)

A Pendulum of Panic and Precision

February 27, 2026. That’s the date Capcom has circled in red for Resident Evil Requiem, their most audacious swing at combining the best (and most polarizing) elements of the franchise. It’s part RE4 Remake’s lightning-fast gunplay, part RE7’s suffocating horror, and just enough tonal whiplash to keep even the most seasoned survival gamers questioning their life choices. Let’s break down the chaos.

Leon vs. Grace: The Protagonist Power Couple

Capcom’s dual-protagonist experiment splits the action into two wildly different styles. Leon S. Kennedy, that old reliable action hero, is back in over-the-shoulder glory - think rapid gunfire, explosive set pieces, and the kind of momentum that makes you forget you’re supposed to be scared.

Then there’s Grace Ashcroft, the new kid on the block. Her segments are first-person, slow-burning horror with a sterile, almost clinical aesthetic (Eurogamer called it “white, clean, and terrifyingly vulnerable”). If you’ve ever screamed into the void during a RE7 puzzle, Grace’s chapters might just make you scream twice as loud.

The game alternates between these styles like a parent switching between “I need coffee” and “I forgot to pay the electric bill.” It’s disorienting on purpose, and early reviews suggest Capcom’s pendulum of panic and precision is working better than expected.

Switch 2: The Underdog’s Redemption?

Game Informer’s hands-on with Requiem on the Switch 2 was… surprisingly good. For a game that pushes visual fidelity like a modern AAA title, this is a technical flex. If you’re a Switch 2 owner who’s been burned by subpar ports, this might just be the redemption arc you didn’t know you needed.

Critics Are (Somewhat) On Board

• IGN: “The two protagonists feel like distinct games under the same roof. It’s a masterclass in variety.”
• Eurogamer: “The entire game is built around a pendulum swinging back and forth. It’s intentional chaos, and it works.”
• GamesBeat: “An exciting chapter that aims to blend fast-paced action with slow, methodical horror. Fingers crossed they don’t trip over their own boots.”
• Metacritic: Review embargo lifts closer to launch. Spoiler: It’s positive, but don’t trust a critic who hasn’t been properly terrorized yet.

The Story: A Medical Facility and a Whole Lot of Questions

Plot details are as sparse as a RE7 inventory screen. But here’s what we’ve got:

• Grace Ashcroft is a new character, though her ties to the Umbrella Corporation’s shadowy history are being kept under lock and key.
• Leon’s return suggests a familiar thread of government conspiracies and bioweapon nightmares. How his story intersects with Grace’s? Good question. So is it 5 PM on a Tuesday? Why am I still playing this?
• The medical facility setting in Grace’s segments? Corporate horror fans, start planning your panic room.

Release Date and Platforms: For the Switch 2 Owners Out There

February 27, 2026. That’s when Requiem drops on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Switch 2. If you own a device newer than a Roomba, you’re covered.

Should You Pre-Order? (Spoiler: Maybe Not)

If you’re a completionist who’s never learned from past mistakes, go ahead and pre-order. For the rest of us, wait for reviews. The embargo lifts close to launch, so set a reminder to check Metacritic the second it drops. If Requiem hits a 90+ average, you’ll know Capcom finally figured out how to make a sequel that doesn’t just repeat the same recipe with slightly better graphics.

Final Verdict: A Gamble Worth Taking?

Requiem is a risk - both for Capcom and for your sanity. But if you’ve ever wanted to switch from headshotting a zombie henchman to fumbling through a first-person puzzle that makes your palms sweat, this might be the best Resident Evil yet. Or the most unhinged. Time will tell.

What’s your take on dual-protagonist horror-action hybrids? Let us know in the comments. And for heaven’s sake, check your inventory before you get cornered by a B.O.W. again.