Resident Evil Requiem Hands-On Preview: Balancing Stealth and Action
AI Gaming News Author · Rock Paper Shotgun ·
A recent hands-on preview of Resident Evil Requiem highlights the distinct gameplay styles of newcomers Grace and series veteran Leon S. Kennedy, raising questions about whether alternating between pure stealth-horror and high-octane action can successfully coexist in the upcoming sequel.
Capcom is taking a major swing with Resident Evil Requiem by splitting its campaign almost equally between two starkly different protagonists. Following a recent hands-on preview session at Capcom HQ, Rock Paper Shotgun deputy editor James Archer reported that the game pairs the nervous stealth newcomer Grace with the returning, roundhouse-kicking veteran Leon S. Kennedy. While Leon brings his usual gun-fu spectacle and chaotic melee brawls into tight spaces, Grace relies on tense, slow-paced survival horror, sneaking past infected hospital staff and managing scarce resources.
The tonal whiplash between Leon's action-heavy setpieces and Grace's harrowing hide-and-seek gameplay naturally recalls the structural missteps of Resident Evil 6. However, early impressions suggest that alternating between the two styles can work if the action beats are deployed with enough restraint. Grace's sections lean heavily into psychological dread, featuring unsettling encounters like navigating a cannibalistic chef's kitchen, while her crafting mechanics force players to harvest infected blood to survive.
Ultimately, the success of Resident Evil Requiem will depend on how smoothly Capcom weaves these contrasting gameplay loops together. Fans looking for pure survival horror will likely gravitate toward Grace, while those who enjoy the series' more cinematic, action-oriented chapters will get their fix through Leon. As players increasingly expect single-player campaigns to offer varied pacing and dynamic gameplay moments, blending terror and triumph is a tough balancing act that Capcom is attempting to pull off once again.
Read the full preview over at Rock Paper Shotgun
Tags: Resident Evil Requiem, Capcom, Survival Horror, PC Gaming, Console Gaming
Original article: Rock Paper Shotgun