Leon Kennedy Wields a Chainsaw in Resident Evil: Requiem
▼ Summary
– The upcoming game *Resident Evil Requiem* features two protagonists with distinct gameplay styles: Leon’s action-oriented combat and Grace’s more vulnerable, survival-horror approach.
– Leon’s gameplay, reminiscent of *Resident Evil 4 Remake*, includes abilities like parrying with a hatchet and disarming enemies to use their weapons.
– Grace’s slower-paced sections focus on exploration and resource scarcity, featuring a unique crafting system that uses zombie blood and a signature weapon called “Requiem.”
– The game offers flexible camera perspectives (first- or third-person) for both characters and includes different difficulty modes, such as a Classic option requiring ink ribbons to save.
– *Resident Evil Requiem* is set for release on February 27 across multiple platforms, and the showcase also highlighted brand collaborations and special edition details.
The upcoming release of Resident Evil: Requiem has generated immense excitement, particularly after its recent gameplay showcase. Director Koshi Nakanishi provided a deep dive into the distinct playstyles of the two protagonists, Leon S. Kennedy and newcomer Grace Ashcroft, framing their approaches as a deliberate design choice to blend action and horror. Following the acclaimed Resident Evil 4 Remake, Capcom sought to reintegrate Leon into the main series, but his seasoned skills didn’t suit a purely terrifying experience. Grace’s character was crafted as the solution, with her vulnerability and fear creating a more traditional survival horror dynamic.
Leon’s gameplay segments are designed to feel fast-paced and empowering, heavily inspired by the mechanics of the Resident Evil 4 remake. He retains his signature parry ability, though now performed with a durable hatchet that can be sharpened. The showcase highlighted a particularly brutal new tactic: Leon can disarm enemies and wield their own weapons against them. In a striking moment, he parries a massive chainsaw from a foe, dispatches the attacker, and then seizes the chainsaw for himself. Strategic shooting also returns, with players able to target specific limbs, like blowing out a zombie’s kneecaps to create an opening for a devastating melee attack.
In stark contrast, Grace’s sections adopt a slower, more desperate tone reminiscent of earlier series entries like Resident Evil 2 or 7. Players will guide her through ominous environments like a sprawling mansion, where ammunition is precious and avoiding confrontation is often the wisest course. Her primary weapon is a large-caliber assault revolver aptly named “Requiem,” which directly inspired the game’s title. She also utilizes a unique crafting system that requires zombie blood as a key resource, making dangerous encounters potentially rewarding. One gruesome concoction shown involves injecting a substance into a zombie, causing it to violently explode.
The presentation confirmed that both campaigns can be played in either first- or third-person perspectives, though the footage suggested a default preference for first-person with Grace and third-person with Leon. The game will offer multiple difficulty settings, including a Casual mode with strong aim assist and a challenging Classic mode. For Grace’s story, this Classic mode reintroduces the iconic ink ribbon system for saving progress, a beloved and punishing feature from the franchise’s history.
Beyond core gameplay, the showcase touched on several ancillary details. These included a collaboration with Porsche and watchmaker Hamilton, specifics on the deluxe edition, compatibility with GeForce NOW cloud gaming, an announcement for a worldwide concert series, and reveals of new character figurines. Resident Evil: Requiem is scheduled for release on February 27 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC.
(Source: Game Informer)
