Pre-Orders Activate Across Platforms
Capcom opened pre-orders for Resident Evil Requiem on October 29, 2025, right after a special video dropped. The standard edition costs $69.99 and appears on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S, Nintendo Switch 2, PC via Steam, and Epic Games Store. This marks Resident Evil's first release on Epic's platform, complete with a Grace Ashcroft skin for Fortnite buyers there.
A deluxe version runs $79.99 and packs five costumes, one dressing Grace as Lady Dimitrescu, plus four weapon skins, two screen filters, two charms, a Raccoon City classic audio pack, and letters from 1998 file. Physical deluxe copies include a steelbook with lenticular card. Nintendo adds a themed Switch 2 Pro Controller at launch and a Grace Ashcroft Amiibo in summer 2026.
Dual Views Shape Gameplay Choices
Players toggle between first-person and third-person anytime in Requiem. First-person delivers close-up tension and realism, ideal for narrow halls and stalker chases. Third-person opens up action with over-the-shoulder aiming and shows exclusive animations, like Grace stumbling during pursuits.
Capcom built separate animation sets for each mode to keep balance. Stealth options expand too: crouch under tables, toss bottles to distract, or use a lighter that lights paths but draws the monster. The stalker climbs walls and ceilings, forcing constant adaptation regardless of view.
Raccoon City Returns After Decades
Grace Ashcroft, FBI analyst and daughter of Alyssa from Resident Evil Outbreak, explores Raccoon City long after its 1998 destruction. Ruins mix nostalgia with fresh threats at places like Rhodes Hill Chronic Care Center. Previews show Grace starting weaponless, strapped upside down, evading the stalker through vents and shadows.
Director Koshi Nakanishi and producer Masato Kumazawa emphasize a single-player focus, having explored but ultimately rejected multiplayer and open-world concepts during development. The RE Engine enables native Switch 2 performance, supporting up to 4K resolution when docked and up to 1080p or 1440p in portable mode, despite hardware differences compared to PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.
Showcase Looms With Franchise Ties
A 10-minute retrospective titled "Road to Requiem," narrated by Maggie Robertson, traces the series from 1996 to Village, concluding with the announcement of a Resident Evil Showcase set for early 2026, ahead of the February 27 release. Expect gameplay demos and maybe hints at Resident Evil 0 remake.
The date aligns with the 30th anniversary on March 22, 2026, though leaders say development timing matched the milestone naturally. Franchise sales top 170 million, with recent titles like Resident Evil 2 Remake at 15.8 million proving demand for updated classics.
Lessons From Village and Remake Successes
Resident Evil Village added third-person post-launch after fan requests, hitting 12.2 million sales and showing flexibility pays off. Its free update informed Requiem's built-in switching, avoiding separate releases.
Resident Evil 2 Remake revived Raccoon City in 2019 with 15.8 million units, blending old puzzles and new tech without alienating veterans. Both cases highlight listening to players on views and settings, guiding Requiem to offer choices from day one while optimizing for Switch 2's launch momentum.
Balancing Act in Pricing and Access
At $69.99, Requiem follows AAA norms, but deluxe gating of costumes and files sparks debate on value. Pre-order Apocalypse costume locks early buyers in, raising fairness questions amid review waits.
The Fortnite skin offered to Epic Games Store pre-order buyers may attract new players, but the split between PC launchers introduces potential complications for save file management across platforms. Switch 2 parity demands cuts in visuals portable, testing Capcom's engine limits against PS5 and Xbox power.
Consumers also face fragmented access across storefronts, with exclusive content tied to platforms and editions, making it harder to access the full experience without multiple purchases.