Capcom’s upcoming Resident Evil: Requiem is shaping up to be one of the most experimental mainline entries in the franchise’s history, and much of that comes down to what’s been revealed (or hinted at) through credible leaks.
The official gameplay will be shown at Gamescom’s Opening Night Live on August 19, 2025, but Dusk Golem has already described it as combining classic Resident Evil elements with new mechanics inspired by The Last of Us.
If confirmed, these adjustments could change the series’ approach to both exploration and combat.
How Open Will Requiem’s World Be?
This installment moves away from the series’ traditional layout, opting for open-level design in a reimagined Raccoon City.
Players will move through larger interconnected areas that encourage exploration instead of narrow linear paths.
Getting through these zones will rely heavily on vehicles, and a cryptic shot of Alice from the Resident Evil films may be teasing a motorbike.
These will not be a true open world but large hubs that keep the survival horror pacing while giving players more freedom to plan routes, gather resources, and handle encounters.
Will Stealth Finally Matter in Resident Evil?
The combat system is also reportedly seeing one of the largest overhauls in the series, with Leon S. Kennedy’s sections incorporating gameplay “isms” from The Last of Us Part II.
That means using both heavy shooting and sneaky moves. In The Last of Us, players mix stealth, direct combat, and environmental awareness, and Requiem may do the same.
Stealth in particular could receive far more attention than it did in previous Resident Evil games.
This would make sense narratively as well, given the contrasting playstyles of Leon’s battle-tested expertise and Grace Ashcroft’s more cautious, environment-focused, puzzle-solving style.
How Is Capcom Upgrading Requiem’s Engine?
Under the hood, Requiem is said to be taking advantage of several new technical upgrades.
The lighting and shadow engine has been rebuilt for more atmospheric scenes, and the Pragmata hair system will enhance character detail.
The redesigned dynamic AI system makes enemies adapt instantly to the player’s tactics with smarter and less predictable behavior.
This mix of tech improvements and design changes could make fights feel more natural, with outcomes shifting based on player choices.
Reports suggest players will be able to jump between first- and third-person modes at will, effectively delivering two complete playstyles in one game.
How Will the Story Tie Into the Series?
Story-wise, Requiem is about Grace Ashcroft, daughter of Resident Evil Outbreak’s Alyssa Ashcroft, and features Leon in one of his most important and possibly last roles in a mainline installment.
Reports suggest the game will resolve the Umbrella and Raccoon City plotlines, potentially ending the main series’ direct ties to its original mythos.
The move could set the stage for upcoming titles to branch into brand-new narratives and settings without the weight of long-standing canon.
Assuming the leaks are correct, Resident Evil: Requiem will be a conscious move toward redefining the series.
Capcom could make the next entry feel both recognizable and new by fusing open exploration, vehicle use, smarter AI, and combat shaped by The Last of Us.
With Gamescom just around the corner, it won’t be long before fans see whether these ambitious ideas have made it into the final product.
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