Every year, Gamescom’s Opening Night Live serves as one of the industry’s biggest showcases, and 2025 looks no different. Capcom has officially confirmed that Resident Evil: Requiem will make a major appearance during the livestream on August 19, complete with a brand-new gameplay reveal.

This marks the first substantial look at how the next mainline entry in Capcom’s long-running horror franchise actually plays. While trailers so far have set the tone with haunting imagery and the introduction of new protagonist Grace Ashcroft, they’ve largely left fans guessing about how the game will handle moment-to-moment action. That will finally change when Geoff Keighley’s show kicks off.

What We Know About the Reveal

Capcom described the segment as an “exclusive new look” at the game, which all but confirms a trailer packed with gameplay. The showcase will also be the lead-in to a hands-on demo for attendees on the Gamescom show floor beginning August 20. The demo will run through August 24 at Capcom’s booth, making it the first chance the public has to try out the game.

For those watching at home, the ONL stream goes live at 11 a.m. PT / 2 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. CEST across YouTube, Twitch, and other platforms.

What to Expect From Gameplay

Leaked design documents and recent reports suggest that Requiem may take the series in some bold directions. Early whispers point to dual perspectives the option to switch between first-person and third-person play mirroring the flexibility Capcom has tested across recent remakes and original entries. There’s also talk of expanded combat mechanics, with some comparisons being drawn to The Last of Us Part II. Dynamic enemy AI, environmental interaction, and even vehicle traversal have all been teased in various leaks.

While the leaks remain unconfirmed, Capcom’s promise of a fresh direction suggests that Requiem could be the most ambitious entry in years. How these mechanics come together and whether they retain the series’ trademark survival horror tension will be one of the biggest questions going into Gamescom.

The Leon Question

Another ongoing point of speculation is the possible return of Leon S. Kennedy. The official marketing has put Grace Ashcroft front and centre, positioning her as the face of the new chapter. But long-time fans have latched onto rumours that Leon could play a role in the story. Whether it’s a cameo, a major subplot, or nothing at all may finally be clarified during the ONL reveal.

The Resident Evil franchise has always thrived on reinvention, alternating between claustrophobic survival horror and more action-driven interpretations. With Requiem, Capcom has the chance to strike a balance that feels both modern and true to the series’ roots. Given the strong momentum of the recent remakes and the enduring popularity of Resident Evil 4, the stakes for this reveal are high.

For fans, Opening Night Live represents more than just another trailer drop. It’s the moment when Resident Evil: Requiem stops being a mystery and starts being a real game we can evaluate. The showcase should finally reveal whether Capcom’s next horror vision is shaping up to be a bold evolution or a risky experiment.