Resident Evil: Requiem Reboots as Open-World Concept

Capcom has confirmed it considered developing Resident Evil: Requiem as an open-world title with online components before ultimately shifting direction.

In a developer diary video, director Koshi Nakanishi shared glimpses of this scrapped early version, showcasing multiple protagonists engaged in intense combat sequences.

Ultimately, Capcom decided to refocus on the series' horror foundations, developers revealed. When it launches next year, Requiem will be a strictly single-player, offline experience.

"We packed significant content into this project and explored various systems during early development," producer Masachika Kawata explained.

"You might have encountered speculation about an online Resident Evil or open-world version," Nakanishi continued. "We dedicated time to experimenting with these concepts.

"While we developed promising ideas, we recognized they didn't align with fan expectations. This realization led us back to redesign what became Resident Evil: Requiem."

Below are brief shots from the canceled online version of Requiem:

The cancelled Resident Evil 9 project pic.twitter.com/Vu7z2tlppQ

— Waleed (@Waleedx2007) June 27, 2025

Art director Tomonori Takano discussed how Capcom intentionally set Requiem's events in urban locations to distinguish it from recent series entries.

While Resident Evil 7, Village, and the Resident Evil 4 Remake primarily unfold in remote settings, Requime marks the return to Raccoon City.

"Earlier titles frequently featured rural, nature-rich environments," Takano observed. "This installment centers on urban landscapes and includes numerous modern drama scenarios, including Raccoon City."

Although Requiem's setting and single-player focus are confirmed, Capcom remains ambiguous about Leon S. Kennedy's potential involvement alongside announced protagonist FBI agent Grace Ashcroft.

During yesterday's Capcom Spotlight 2025, Nakanishi commented that Leon would be "ill-suited for horror" – though he didn't confirm the character's complete absence. Fans speculate Capcom has yet to reveal Requiem's more action-oriented segments where Leon would fit naturally.