Capcom hasn’t been shy about describing Resident Evil Requiem as a combination of influences. Grace Ashcroft’s gameplay is more survival horror, in line with Resident Evil 2. Meanwhile, Leon offers an action-packed scenario similar to Resident Evil 4. If that doesn’t sound appealing enough, director Koshi Nakanishi says it’s like sushi. And this development team? They’re the ones who invented it.
“If sushi hadn’t been invented yet, a fish lover would just want to eat sashimi, raw fish. A rice lover would just want rice,” Nakanishi explains to Eurogamer. “Then some guy goes, ‘I’ve made this thing, it’s called sushi. It’s raw fish on rice.’ Imagine how you’d feel if you were someone who loved eating rice – like ‘what are you putting raw fish on my rice for?!’ Or if you’re a sashimi person, you’re like Just give me sashimi. Why are you ruining my fish with rice?!'”
The point, as Nakanishi notes, is that even if you want only one style of survival horror, the “flavor” of Requiem comes from “the combination of the two styles.”
He also addressed Leon’s gameplay from the recent showcase, which offered heaps of executions, headshots, and the odd chainsaw kill or two. If you’re worried that’s all his side has to offer, then take heart. “We realize that has given some players an impression that will be the entirety of the Leon experience in the game. That is not the case. Leon has exploration scenes, he has horrific scenes, he has backtracking.”
Perhaps subtly hinting at those alleged larger levels for which Leon uses transportation (even if this isn’t a proper open-world game)? Regardless, what’s especially interesting is how his gameplay was specifically designed to be so different yet complementary to Grace’s, which goes back to the sushi analogy.
“The idea is that, by combining them together, they are more than the sum of their parts. We’re the guy who invented sushi, here. We’re saying: trust us, take it. Dare to take a leap with us and eat this new product called sushi,” Nakanishi said with a laugh.
Launching on February 27th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2, Resident Evil Requiem sees Grace Ashcroft investigating a series of murders. Something called Elpis is apparently responsible, and former Umbrella researcher Victor Gideon insists that she’s the key to it. As for Leon, he also crosses paths with Gideon and has a “secret” with regards to Elpis.
