Resident Evil fans recently enjoyed a fresh preview of the franchise's latest installment, Resident Evil: Requiem, which launches next month. A showcase event unveiled intriguing details about character attributes for Grace Ashcroft and Leon S. Kennedy, along with other gameplay mechanics. However, one reveal has particularly fueled curiosity about the game's exploration aspects.
City Environment Surprises Fans
Earlier this month, Nvidia released game clips focusing on the environment. The footage shows a bustling city that Grace travels through during the game. For a series famous for its post-apocalyptic settings, the visuals of a normal city with cars, people, and busy streets came as a total surprise. This immediately raised questions about whether Resident Evil: Requiem might introduce an open-world feature to the franchise.
Is Open-World Gameplay Coming?
Will Resident Evil: Requiem become the first game in the series to adopt open-world gameplay? Currently, the game is not designed as an open-world experience. It follows a similar narrative and gameplay structure to previous entries. Similar to Resident Evil 2, players will control both Grace and Leon in Resident Evil: Requiem. Their stories intertwine as they investigate the mysterious death of Alyssa Ashcroft.
While this narrative approach excites fans, the gameplay portions featuring Grace have sparked speculation about exploration freedom. The Resident Evil franchise has traditionally featured linear gameplay focused on tight narratives. Yet, scenes of Grace walking through a busy urban environment made fans wonder about potential exploration opportunities.
No Official Confirmation Yet
It is important to note that neither game creator Koshi Nakanishi nor Capcom has teased any open-world possibilities. The developers have remained silent on this specific aspect, keeping fans guessing about the final gameplay structure.
Porsche Collaboration Adds to Speculation
Another reveal that further fueled open-world rumors involves the game's collaboration with Porsche. Leon will drive a custom-designed Porsche in the game. This partnership suggests potential driving sequences and exploration elements. The franchise has never included driving gameplay in previous entries, making this a possible new feature if implemented.
For now, fans can anticipate a classic Resident Evil experience with the ninth main entry. The game blends horror-oriented gameplay with Grace and action-based sequences with Leon. Whether it offers any form of open-world exploration remains uncertain, though it currently seems unlikely. Resident Evil: Requiem launches on February 27, 2026, for Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S.
