The first hands-on previews for Resident Evil Requiem (RE9) have ignited unanimous praise from critics and players, with many declaring it potentially “the scariest game in the series” – surpassing even the iconic dread of RE7 and Village. At the heart of the excitement is a groundbreaking mechanic: seamless switching between first and third-person perspectives, allowing players to experience terror from both intimate and cinematic angles.
What Makes the Demo So Terrifying?
Innovative Perspective Toggle
- First-Person: Intense immersion during exploration and close encounters
- Third-Person: Enhanced spatial awareness during combat and escapes
- Dynamic Adaptation: Players switch on-the-fly to suit their panic level
The Sanitarium Setting
Previewers explored an abandoned mental hospital featuring:
- Creaking, decaying corridors with unpredictable sound design
- Locked doors requiring classic key hunting and puzzle solving
- Environmental storytelling hinting at unspeakable experiments
The Stalker Enemy
A towering, biomechanical creature (dubbed “The Warden” by fans) that:
- Hunts players through multiple rooms with terrifying AI
- Adapts to player strategies, creating unique chase scenarios
- Evokes memories of Mr. X and Nemesis but with enhanced intelligence
Previewer Reactions: “Absolute Hit”
Early feedback unanimously praises Capcom’s direction:
“The fact you can bounce back and forth from first person to third person view is amazing and the detail is so good” – IGN comment
“I knew getting the director of RE7 back was a good idea! This looks incredible” – Punish preview
“Requiem looks way more scarier than Village and RE7” – Residence of Evil response
Why This Matters for the Franchise
| Feature | Impact |
|---|---|
| Perspective Freedom | Appeals to both RE7 (FP) and RE2 Remake (TP) fans |
| Return to Roots | Classic puzzle design meets modern visuals |
| Story Significance | Set in post-destruction Raccoon City (30 years later) |
| Technical Showcase | RE Engine pushed to new heights of lighting and sound |
Story Context: Returning to Raccoon City
The game follows FBI analyst Grace Ashcroft investigating her mother’s death in a haunted hotel. Set 30 years after Raccoon City’s destruction, players will explore:
- Decayed remnants of iconic locations (RPD station, hospitals)
- New areas built over the ruins, hiding Umbrella’s legacy
- Flashbacks to Alyssa Ashcroft’s (RE Outbreak) final days
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Key Details
- Release Date: February 27, 2026
- Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
- Director: Returns from Resident Evil 7 (explaining similar tone)
- Demo Availability: Expected publicly January 2026
*Based on previews, *Requiem* may redefine survival horror – making the wait until 2026 feel even longer.*