Capcom has just aired a fresh Resident Evil Showcase, and it finally gave fans what they have been waiting for: proper gameplay of Leon S. Kennedy in Resident Evil Requiem. If you have missed the slow drip of teasers, the headline is simple. Requiem is shaping up to feel like two flavours of Resident Evil in one game, depending on which protagonist you are playing.
Resident Evil Requiem is officially set to launch on 27 February 2026 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2.
Two protagonists, two moods
Capcom has made it clear that Leon and Grace are not just cosmetic character swaps.
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Leon’s sections look built around visceral, confident survival-action, with a tempo that will feel familiar to anyone who loved the flow of Resident Evil 4.
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Grace’s sections are positioned as tenser and more vulnerable, leaning into classic survival-horror pacing where every decision matters more because you simply have less to work with.
It is a clever way to satisfy different corners of the fanbase without forcing one single tone across the entire campaign.
Leon’s gameplay: aggression, precision, and a new parry tool
In the new footage, Leon looks like he is at his best when he is pushing forward and controlling the fight. The showcase highlighted a few things that stand out straight away:
A hatchet replaces the knife for parries
Leon now carries a hatchet that lets him parry incoming attacks, giving fights a very physical, up-close rhythm. It is not just a defensive gimmick either. Parrying looks designed to create openings, so you can turn pressure into momentum.
Limb shots matter (a lot)
Gunplay seems tuned around targeting specific body parts to disrupt enemies. Think: dropping a zombie’s mobility before committing to a brutal finisher, or creating space when you are being crowded.
Picking up weapons mid-encounter
One of the most “Leon” moments shown is the idea that you can take weapons from fallen enemies, which opens the door for more improvised action sequences. Yes, the footage even suggests Leon can get his hands on something far heavier than a pistol if the opportunity arises.
New zombies with unsettling “human” habits
Capcom also teased new zombie behaviour that goes beyond “walk at you and grab”. Some of the undead reportedly retain traces of who they were, repeating familiar routines or habits from their old lives. That detail does two things at once:
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It makes encounters creepier, because the enemies feel less like generic monsters.
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It creates opportunities for smarter play, especially if you are trying to slip past danger rather than bulldoze through it.
You can choose your camera perspective
A big quality-of-life win: the game lets you choose how you see the action, including first-person or third-person perspectives. That means you can tailor the feel of each character’s campaign to your own taste, whether you want tight immersion or broader situational awareness.
No demo (for now)
One thing that surprised a lot of people is what was not announced. Despite the showcase, there is currently no public demo available. Capcom has shared plenty to chew on, but it looks like they want the first hands-on experience for most players to be the full release.
Our take
What is interesting here is not just that Leon is back. It is that Capcom is openly saying: “You can have your horror, and you can have your action, and we will build both properly.” If they stick the landing, Requiem could end up feeling like a greatest-hits blend of the series’ most beloved eras, without forcing every player into the same pace.
If you are planning to jump in on launch week, pre-order now at VIJAY!
