Capcom Shifts Resident Evil: Requiem to Single-Player Horror, Abandons Open-World Plans

Capcom revealed it explored an open-world format and online features for Resident Evil: Requiem before reverting to a traditional approach.

In a developer diary video, director Koshi Nakanishi shared glimpses of the scrapped version, featuring multiple protagonists in intense gunplay.

Ultimately, Capcom refocused on the Resident Evil series’ horror essence, developers confirmed. Set for release next year, Requiem will be a single-player, offline experience.

“We packed a lot into this game and explored various systems early on,” producer Masachika Kawata said.

“You may have heard rumors,” Nakanishi added. “We tested an online and open-world Resident Evil, but those concepts didn’t align with fan expectations. So, we returned to the drawing board, creating Resident Evil: Requiem.”

Brief footage of the abandoned online version of Requiem is available below:

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

— Waleed (@Waleedx2007) June 27, 2025

Art director Tomonori Takano explained that Requiem’s urban setting, including a return to Raccoon City, sets it apart from recent titles.

Resident Evil 7, Resident Evil Village, and the Resident Evil 4 Remake were set in rural areas, while Requiem emphasizes city environments.

“Past games leaned on rural, natural settings,” Takano said. “This time, we’re focusing on urban landscapes, with modern dramatic scenarios in Raccoon City.”

While Requiem’s single-player focus and setting are clear, Capcom remains vague on whether fan-favorite Leon S. Kennedy will be playable alongside FBI agent Grace Ashcroft.

In the Capcom Spotlight 2025 broadcast, Nakanishi suggested Leon might not fit the horror tone but didn’t rule out his presence. Fans speculate Leon could star in Requiem’s action-oriented sequences.