Capcom Confirms Resident Evil Requiem Remains Easy to Understand Without Playing Resident Evil Outbreak
Capcom confirms that Resident Evil Requiem remains easy to understand for new players without having to play RE Outbreak. Masato Kumazawa explains how the Requiem story was made more accessible, including the reason for choosing the characters Alyssa and Grace.
Capcom ensures that Resident Evil Requiem is made to be accessible to both veteran and new players — including those who have never touched spin-offs like RE Outbreak or Outbreak: File 2. In an exclusive interview with Stevivor, producer Masato Kumazawa emphasized that the story experience in Requiem is designed to remain complete and enjoyable without the prerequisite of playing previous online titles.
Kumazawa explained that, although various online games and spin-offs indeed play an important role in the franchise’s history, the development team strives for the Requiem storyline to stand on its own. So, players interested in trying this horror adventure don’t need to worry about losing context if they haven’t followed the Outbreak series.
One of Capcom’s concerns is making the story accessible through flexible mechanics and options. Kumazawa mentioned the option to switch perspectives — between first-person and third-person — as one way to tailor the gameplay experience to player preferences, while also aiding narrative delivery without relying on background knowledge from other titles.
The choice of Alyssa as an important character in Requiem according to Kumazawa is relatively simple: she is a victim of the Raccoon City incident with a background as a journalist. Alyssa’s persistent nature in seeking the truth is considered fitting for the protagonist role in the narrative Capcom wants to tell. This character provides a natural perspective to explore the mystery and impact of major events in the Resident Evil world.
Meanwhile, Grace — Alyssa’s daughter — is designed to be a contrast: more fearful and vulnerable. This decision is intended to present a different horror dynamic, forcing players to feel tension from a more defensive and emotional perspective. The combination of strong and vulnerable characters is expected to deliver a layered and intense story experience.
