Grace Ashcroft Steps Into the Nightmare: Inside Resident Evil Requiem’s Gameplay Preview

By Brian k. Neal

Capcom is pushing survival horror to new extremes with Resident Evil: Requiem, the highly anticipated ninth mainline entry in the legendary franchise. At Gamescom 2025, a hands-on gameplay demo gave fans their first chilling glimpse into the chaos, setting the stage for what could be one of the most intense Resident Evil experiences yet.

In Resident Evil Requiem, players step into the shoes of FBI analyst Grace Ashcroft, who wakes up restrained to a gurney deep inside a decrepit hospital in the heart of Raccoon City. With the city teetering on the brink of biological catastrophe, Grace must fight to escape — starting with the simple, nerve-wracking task of finding a fuse to unlock her restraints.

The demo showcased dual perspectives — letting players toggle seamlessly between first- and third-person views — adding a dynamic edge to exploration and combat. The hospital’s claustrophobic corridors are bathed in unsettling shadows, pushing players to stay sharp as they solve environmental puzzles, manage scarce resources, and evade a relentless, towering creature that stalks them at every turn.

Classic Resident Evil mechanics return with modern refinements: players can manipulate lighting to conceal themselves, throw objects to create distractions, and lean heavily on the franchise’s iconic green herbs to survive. It’s a delicate balance of stealth, strategy, and sheer terror — a formula Capcom seems to have perfected for this installment.

Resident Evil: Requiem launches on February 27, 2026, exclusively on modern platforms, and if this demo is any indication, fans should brace themselves for a meticulously crafted nightmare that honors the series’ roots while elevating the horror to new heights.