Resident Evil Requiem’s upcoming release has everyone wondering how the next Capcom game is going to approach boss battles, and it seems like we have an answer now. Taking a major shift away from the franchise’s recent focus on high-velocity fights, the game’s director has clarified that Requiem is returning to the essence of the early Resident Evil entries.
Taking inspiration from Resident Evil 2, fans eager for a nostalgic trip will find the changes in Requiem quite pleasing. Boss Fights will return to being mental puzzles rather than mere combat showcases, and this fresh, yet nostalgic approach will finally align the series’ survival horror roots with a modern setting, following the new protagonist, Grace Ashcroft.
Resident Evil Requiem Strays Away From a “Flashy” Boss Battle, Willingly
The director of Resident Evil Requiem, Koshi Nakanishi, has openly stated (via Automaton Media) that boss encounters will no longer be flashy and gun-driven as seen in the later Resident Evil
This comes as a significant departure from the style seen in action-heavy games like Resident Evil Village or Resident Evil 4. Boss battles in Requiem will be a mental obstacle, not just a physical one, encouraging players to think strategically about how to clear the level and progress in the game.
This approach is well-stitched together with the journey of Grace Ashcroft, the game’s protagonist, who starts off terrified of the given situation, but gradually learns to survive. Nakanishi reveals that the character’s evolution mirrors the player’s own sense of accomplishment as they master the different mechanics and start adapting to the dangerous scenarios of the game.
Welcome Back, Resident Evil 2, or So It Seems Like According to Requiem’s Director
Fans who are missing the puzzle-like boss battles of the earlier titles in the franchise, like Resident Evil 2, will find much to appreciate in Requiem’s level design. According to the director, the gameplay will focus on navigating closed spaces and solving obstacles creatively rather than blasting through every single level.
Furthermore, there are also rumors about Leon S. Kennedy being a playable character, making it seem that the upcoming game tries its best to blend the best elements of Resident Evil’s past with new twists for newer fans.
Going off on what the officials have said so far, it seems suggestive that Requiem is being built almost as an upgrade to Resident Evil 2, and not just a sequel to the franchise. By prioritizing the level design to focus on intelligence over action, the game will give the veterans the chance to live through the series’ signature tension once again.
Resident Evil Requiem is set to release on February 27th, 2026, alongside celebratory launches of Resident Evil 7: biohazard and Resident Evil Village for Nintendo Switch 2. Will you be playing the upcoming game on Day 1? Let us know about it in the comments below!
