Director Confirms ‘Requiem’ is a Pivot Back to RESIDENTEVIL2-Style Methodical Horror, Calling it an “Upgrade” of the Classic Formula

In a candid and surprisingly self-aware interview, the key developers behind the upcoming ninth main installment in the franchise, ‘Resident Evil: Requiem’, have shed light on the design philosophy for the new title—a philosophy centered on a deliberate return to the series’ survival horror roots. The team, however, admitted to a strange occupational hazard: having made so many horror titles, they can no longer accurately judge what constitutes a truly scary experience for new players.

The INFLATION Effect: Returning to RE2’s Tense Gameplay

Director Koshi Nakanishi (known for his work on the terrifying ‘Resident Evil 7’) and producer Masato Kumazawa recently discussed the game’s direction, explaining the decision to move away from the high-octane action that defined later entries like ‘Resident Evil 5’ and ‘6’, and to some extent, ‘Village’.

• The Action-Horror Scale: Nakanishi noted that Resident Evil games can be placed on a scale between the methodical survival horror of ‘Resident Evil 2’ and the action-focused experience of ‘Resident Evil 4’. While ‘Resident Evil Village’ leaned towards the latter, continuing that trajectory would lead to an undesirable “inflation effect,” where each subsequent title requires more and more action to “outdo” the last.
• An UPGRADE to Classic Horror: To combat this burnout and maintain the series’ core identity, ‘Resident Evil: Requiem’ is intentionally “swinging the scale” firmly back toward the slower, resource-management-heavy gameplay of the ‘Resident Evil 2’ style. Nakanishi confidently stated that the game will be “almost an upgrade” of that much-loved classic formula, focusing on claustrophobic environments, demanding puzzle-solving, and the constant scarcity of ammo and healing items.
• New Protagonist, New Vulnerability: The game introduces a new protagonist, FBI analyst Grace Ashcroft, the daughter of a character from the ‘Resident Evil Outbreak’ spin-offs. Grace is designed to be introverted and “easily scared,” providing a character whose sense of vulnerability mirrors the player’s own, a deliberate choice to enhance the fear factor compared to hardened veterans like Chris Redfield or Leon S. Kennedy.

The DEVELOPER Paradox: “We Can’t Tell Anymore”

Despite the calculated efforts to amplify the horror elements, the developers confessed a genuine concern that their long tenure in the SURVIVAL HORROR genre has made them immune to their own creations, making it difficult to gauge the success of the new scares.

• The Numbing Effect: “We’ve made so many of these that we can’t tell anymore until someone else plays it,” Nakanishi admitted. This statement highlights the challenge of maintaining a sense of terror when the developers are the ones creating the jump scares and designing the oppressive atmosphere on a daily basis.
• Internal WORRY: The director even revealed that there was internal “worry” before the first public hands-on demonstrations at events like Gamescom, asking themselves, “Was this actually scary? Because we don’t even know anymore.” This internal doubt underscores the subjective nature of fear in gaming and the importance of player feedback in the final stages of a horror game’s development.
• Echoes of VILLAGE: Nakanishi has, however, teased similarities to one of the scariest and most praised segments in recent memory—the claustrophobic, unarmed tension of the House Beneviento section from ‘Resident Evil Village’, suggesting a heightened, ‘next-level’ version of that experience will be present at the start of ‘Requiem’.

Key MECHANICS and RELEASE Details for RESIDENTEVILREQUIEM

The game is set to return to a heavily damaged Raccoon City, approximately 30 years after its devastating destruction, offering fans an “updated” look at iconic, ruined locations from ‘Resident Evil 2’ and ‘3’.

• Dual Perspective GAMEPLAY: A significant new feature is the option for players to fluidly switch between the default First-Person perspective, which provides a more visceral, tense, and realistic gameplay experience, and a Third-Person view, ideal for those who prefer the series’ classic action pacing.
• New Stalker Enemy: ‘Requiem’ will introduce a formidable new stalker-type enemy, described as a relentless pursuer that channels the oppressive energy of threats like the Xenomorph in ‘Alien Isolation’ and the classic Mr. X. This monster can track the player through the environment, even traveling through walls and ceilings, ensuring a constant sense of dread.
• Launch Date and Platforms: ‘Resident Evil: Requiem’ is scheduled for release on February 27, 2026, and will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC (Steam), and the Nintendo Switch 2, positioning it as a major cross-platform BLOCKBUSTER launch for Capcom’s 30th-anniversary celebration of the series.

The developer’s admission may ease the minds of veteran players who have grown accustomed to the series’ scares, promising that even if the creators are no longer easily frightened, their dedication to pushing the boundaries of survival horror remains absolute. The result, they believe, will be a game that honors the memory of ‘Resident Evil 2’ while delivering a fresh, terrifying experience.