Resident Evil Requiem Producer Shares Fascinating Insight Into the Game’s Development
January 3, 2026
We’re at a point in time where every new little morsel of information about Resident Evil Requiem really matters. I feel like it’s important, then, to address some of the comments made by Resident Evil Requiem producer Masato Kumazawa at the game’s media showcase in Seoul, which took place on December 17th. Kumazawa’s shared insights on the game haven’t made as many rounds as they should, so here we’re going to go over some of the most interesting details discussed.
Grace & Leon Split Resident Evil Requiem in Two
Resident Evil is no stranger to games where players switch between protagonists, but Resident Evil Requiem looks to be the first to actually split their time equally. Grace Ashcroft and Leon S. Kennedy will each take up half of the screen time. This dynamic between them is actually something that took a lot to perfect. There will also assuredly be multiple moments where their paths fully intersect, but Capcom is keeping quiet about that for now.
One thing that has been advertised strongly for Requiem is the difference in the experience between the two protagonists. Grace will lean more into the horror aspects, while Leon’s sections will be more action-forward. This is something that Capcom has had to be incredibly mindful of through Requiem’s development. Transitioning between the two characters could easily feel incredibly awkward and unsatisfying, especially with the difference in firepower. According to Kumazawa, though, Capcom has refined those shifts in gameplay to feel as seamless as possible.
There is no doubt that Leon’s presence in Resident Evil Requiem currently overshadows Grace’s significance as a lead character, but Kumazawa believes that players will warm up quickly to the newcomer. Grace’s unique perspective as the biggest coward in the whole franchise is certainly important in that regard. Through the events of Requiem, Grace will develop a lot as a character, mentally and emotionally. Capcom believes that this will help players connect with her on a deeper level, even more so than with Leon.
The differences between Grace and Leon extend to how they see this upcoming adventure. The "requiem" in the game’s title actually has significance, and it means different things for the two of them. For Grace, it’s about reconnecting with her mother in a spiritual sense. For Leon, it’s presumably about reconnecting with the city that ruined his life. Kumazawa was unwilling to say what it all really means for Leon, though.
Requiem Is an Unlikely Celebration of the Past
It’s easy to think of Resident Evil Requiem as some definitive finale to the franchise’s story so far, but its release on Resident Evil’s 30th anniversary is actually a pure coincidence. Requiem has had a pretty complicated development, with lots of reworks needed over the years. The timing has just naturally ended up feeling right.
Leon may symbolize the series’ old guard, but it doesn’t seem like Capcom is ready to close the door on the series’ past in its entirety. Speaking of which, Kumazawa believes that Requiem is self-contained enough that players won’t need to play any of the older games to appreciate this new release. Simply understanding that Leon has a history with Raccoon City is more than enough context.
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Raccoon City was chosen as Requiem’s main setting mainly because the developers felt that it was finally time to revisit such an important location to the series’ lore. Requiem will finally advance the series’ broader story. It seems like we might even get some new info about what has happened in the years between, as well.
VR? Maybe. Switch 2? In The Plans All Along
Resident Evil games are perfect for VR, so it is a totally valid thing to wonder if Requiem will include such a mode. For the moment, however, VR is not in the plans. Kumazawa explains that the game’s included first-person perspective has made VR a low priority. In general, VR has been an afterthought for these games, so any addition of such a mode can be expected to come down the line. The development teams really enjoy Resident Evil in VR, so the odds are in players’ favor.
What’s more surprising to hear is that Capcom has apparently always had plans for a Nintendo Switch 2 version of Resident Evil Requiem. In all likelihood, Nintendo is probably responsible for pushing this on the RE team, but Capcom has put great consideration into the port. Using specifically designed PC builds to roughly approximate the Switch 2’s strength is one avenue that they’ve taken. Capcom usually considers how a game will affect the full depth of their PC player base, so designing for the Switch 2 doesn’t require a particularly unique approach.
At one point, the Nintendo Switch 2 version of Resident Evil Requiem included mouse controls. Despite many attempts to make this work, the control scheme just didn’t pan out. Requiem needs the full array of buttons. That wasn’t something that could be compromised. At least, owners of Requiem’s special Pro Controller won’t feel like they’re missing out on smoother controls.
