Without a doubt, the standout moment from Geoff Keighley’s Summer Game Fest showcase on Friday will likely be the thrilling rollercoaster experience that was the Resident Evil Requiem announcement. Initially, fans were disappointed when Resident Evil Executive Producer Jun Takeuchi shared they had nothing ready to reveal. However, the YouTube Theater in sunny Southern California was plunged into darkness, only to illuminate the ninth numbered Resident Evil title moments later. The showcase provided an early sneak peek at the game’s narrative on Friday, and over the weekend during Summer Game Fest: Play Days, members of the media attended a brief theater demo to gather more insights about its gameplay. Shacknews was one of the outlets present for this exclusive event.
At the conclusion of the gameplay demo, rather than the main event being the action itself, it was the reveal towards the end that stole the spotlight. After approximately 30 minutes of immersive first-person exploration, the presentation concluded with a brief glimpse at the pause menu. Nestled within this pause menu was an exciting new feature: the ability for players to effortlessly switch between first and third-person perspectives whenever they desired – a long-awaited update to the series. Whether one seeks the chilling experience of first-person horror, the classic third-person style of Resident Evil, or the flexibility to switch between the two at any given moment, this option has now been made accessible to all players.
In terms of gameplay presentation, the demo continues directly from where the Summer Game Fest trailer concluded. The character, Grace Ashcroft – the daughter of Resident Evil: Outbreak’s Alyssa Ashcroft – is discovered in captivity, hanging upside-down with an IV connected to her arm. She manages to free herself and finds out that she has been trapped within the Wrenwood Hotel, a place where she had been sent to examine a crime scene.
Upon stepping out into the corridor, it’s immediately evident that the atmosphere recalls the original Resident Evil series. There’s an overarching air of enigma, a feeling of being lost since no guidance is given, and an ominous suspicion that something sinister lurks elsewhere. However, what sets this apart is the enhanced impact of contemporary technology on the ambiance. It not only brings out a wider spectrum of emotion in the character models but also introduces an unsettling tension through its sophisticated lighting effects – a factor that was missing in previous versions. Throughout the demo, Grace’s continuous shivers only serve to heighten this eerie sensation. The corridors are incredibly dark, with just occasional light peeking through window fissures. While the objective might be to delve deeper and locate an escape route, players will also have to figure out a means to illuminate their surroundings.
Similar to traditional Resident Evil games, essential items are scarce. A storage room can be found near the demo’s beginning, and it has a light switch, but the fuse soon goes out. Room 202 further down the corridor has a broken light switch, while Room 201 is locked. Unfortunately, a functional fuse box isn’t discovered until later in the hall, and it requires a new battery. Throughout the search, players may come across useful items such as an empty bottle or a lighter to enhance visibility slightly. However, Grace didn’t find any more defense equipment, which was unfortunate since she would undeniably need it.
In the latter part of the demonstration, Grace ventured into a bathroom nearby, intending to gather additional supplies from its storage closet. Instead, she found a decayed corpse that had been there for quite some time. The identity of this body, hinted at in last Friday’s trailer, remains uncertain, but the sudden appearance of a massive arm didn’t leave much room for speculation. This colossal appendage belonged to a towering zombie, resembling Resident Evil Village’s Lady Dimitrescu in size, yet featuring the skull of someone who made a regrettable choice and consumed from an ill-advised source. The nameless creature gnawed on the corpse’s head, much like what one might witness at an Ozzy Osbourne concert. It then began chasing Grace relentlessly. This scenario evokes memories of the classic Resident Evil 2 and 3 gameplay, where the best course of action is to find shelter.
Following the defeat of the colossal zombie, it was necessary to resume the quest for essential supplies. A toolbox was perched high up on a shelf, beyond Grace’s reach due to her short stature. She had to retrieve a step ladder and move it closer to access the toolbox. Inside the toolbox was a screwdriver, useful for opening another fuse box. Unfortunately, Grace’s movements were too loud, alerting the monstrous zombie, which broke through the wall much like the Kool-Aid Man. The zombie then seized Grace, biting into her shoulder, causing her health to plummet by half. Once more, she had to flee, but this time she limped noticeably due to the sudden attack. Despite a brief escape, the zombie tracked her down again, this time dropping from the ceiling.
The demo for the Resident Evil Requiem movie was as far as it went, leaving many unanswered questions – particularly among hardcore Resident Evil fans who are eager to understand how this fits into earlier installments of the series. We can expect these queries to be addressed in the coming months, especially since Requiem is now closer to release than most people might have anticipated at Summer Game Fest. The game is currently planned for launch on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S on February 27th.
This sneak peek originated from a remote, live theater demonstration during Summer Game Fest: Play Days, which was shown to the media. Please note that the final version may still undergo changes.
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2025-06-11 18:27