Capcom has pulled back the curtain on its latest entry in the Resident Evil franchise, Resident Evil: Survival Unit, with a full 25-minute gameplay breakdown that reveals an ambitious new direction for the long-running horror series. Blending tense survival elements with strategic team-based action, Survival Unit is a multiplayer spin-off that reimagines the Resident Evil formula for cooperative and competitive play.

Tactical Horror Reimagined

Set in a post-outbreak world still grappling with the devastation caused by Umbrella’s bioweapons, Resident Evil: Survival Unit casts players as elite operatives from rival factions. Each team is sent into highly-contaminated zones to complete a variety of high-risk missions ranging from securing virus samples to eliminating hostile bio-organic threats.

Unlike past entries that focused on solo survival horror, Survival Unit is built entirely around 4v4 PvEvP gameplay. This means that two squads not only battle each other, but must also contend with a relentless AI-controlled threat that includes classic Resident Evil enemies like zombies, Lickers, Hunters, and even Tyrants.

Gameplay Deep Dive

The reveal video showcases an extensive slice of gameplay, highlighting a number of core features:

• Squad-Based Combat: Players select from specialized operatives, each with distinct roles like Medic, Assault, Support, and Recon. Successful missions require tight coordination and an understanding of how each role complements the others.
• PvEvP Mechanics: While two human teams battle for dominance, the environment remains just as deadly. In one segment, both teams are forced to retreat from a sudden Nemesis encounter, turning rivals into temporary allies.
• Classic Survival Elements: Players must scavenge for resources, manage limited inventory space, and craft healing items keeping the series’ hallmark survival mechanics intact.
• Dynamic Objectives: Missions evolve on the fly. What begins as a simple extraction could quickly spiral into an all-out fight for survival as mutant threats escalate and time runs out.
• Map Variety and Atmosphere: The RE Engine once again delivers stunning environments soaked in dread and detail. Locations shown include a decrepit Raccoon City police outpost, an underground Umbrella lab, and a fog-drenched swamp filled with biological horrors.

Multiplayer with a Resident Evil Heart

Capcom has stated that Survival Unit aims to stay true to the DNA of the franchise while introducing a fresh multiplayer angle. According to the developers, players who enjoy the resource management, tension, and lore of the series will find plenty to enjoy here albeit in a faster-paced, team-oriented format.

“We wanted to make something that felt unmistakably Resident Evil, but that also explored new gameplay territory,” said one of the lead designers during the showcase. “Survival Unit is about strategy, teamwork, and the terrifying unpredictability of a world overrun with B.O.W.s.”

Release and Beta Plans

Capcom has confirmed that Resident Evil: Survival Unit is in development for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. No official release date has been announced, but a closed beta is planned for late 2025. Players can sign up via Capcom’s official website in the coming months.

Additional reveals are expected at Tokyo Game Show 2025, where Capcom will have a major presence.

Stay tuned for updates as more information emerges on this bold new chapter in the Resident Evil franchise.