After what felt like an eternity, a new, mainline Resident Evil game is on the horizon, and I had the chance to get a hands-on preview of Resident Evil: Requiem at PAX West 2025. This game has been a long time coming, and I am beyond excited to report that it’s everything a fan could hope for.
The demo session started with a choice between the series' traditional third-person camera and the first-person perspective introduced in recent installments. I chose first-person, as it truly immerses you in the horror. From the moment I woke up in a dark, ominous medical facility, I was on the edge of my seat. The developers at Capcom have done an amazing job creating a tense, atmospheric experience. Much like a young Leon Kennedy, the new character Grace Ashcroft appears unconfident and very frightened. This is perfectly captured as she creeps through the dark and flees in terror when she is finally faced with the new stalker monster.
Visually, Resident Evil: Requiem is an absolute masterpiece. The game's new engine brings a terrifying level of detail to the environments, with every room feeling claustrophobic and meticulously crafted. The lighting is particularly stunning, setting a scene of true horror with shafts of moonlight cutting through dust-filled air and casting long, menacing shadows. Character models are more detailed than ever, making Grace Ashcroft's fear palpable, while the terrifying new monster is brought to life with grotesque detail that will haunt your nightmares.
The gameplay is a return to form, blending classic survival horror elements with the modern feel of recent games. The added benefit of having a terrifying, grotesque creature stalking you through the halls adds a new layer of dread and strategy. Just like in the old games, I had to solve puzzles to escape, finding a key and a fuse to power a gate while being chased by the creature. The new visuals, especially with the first-person view, make the game feel incredibly real. The sound design is also masterful, with every creak and distant roar adding to the tension.
Most of my demo session involved sneaking through a mysterious house and running from the new stalker monster. This hunched-over creature, with its large, bulging eyes and claw-like hands, was as tall as Lady Dimitrescu from Resident Evil Village. This added an intense sense of terror to the game, especially since my character, Grace, had no weapons. Her only defense was a bottle she could throw to distract the monster. The only other means of escape was to run into a brightly lit room, as the monster would be burned by the light. The creature could even bust through walls, forcing you to run back into specific rooms until it retreated.
My demo concluded with a dramatic chase scene. I had to run for my life, and the creature’s parting words, suggesting this was only the beginning, left me wanting more. I'm super excited to see more of this game unfold and experience its epic story. Resident Evil: Requiem is a true return to the franchise's roots, with a fresh take that will please both new and old fans. I can't wait to play the full game when it releases on February 27, 2026.