Resident Evil has held a special place in gaming for years, bringing players spine-chilling moments and intense gameplay. However, the team behind the series admits they sometimes question what truly scares players anymore.
In a recent chat with director Koshi Nakanishi and producer Masato Kumazawa at the Tokyo Game Show 2025, they shared insights about their latest installment, Resident Evil: Requiem, featuring a new protagonist named Grace. Unlike the action-driven Leon S. Kennedy, Grace represents a shift back to the series’ survival horror roots.
Nakanishi explained, “You can see the evolution of Resident Evil across titles. Resident Evil 7 leaned heavily into survival horror, which fans loved. Village added more action, but we realized we couldn’t just keep ramping it up. If we did, we’d lose the very essence of horror.” He emphasized the importance of balancing action and fear, avoiding the pitfalls seen in Resident Evil 5 and 6, which diverged too far into action.
Another interesting point came up when discussing their approach to scares. Nakanishi mentioned that after working on the series for so long, the team struggles to judge what’s scary. “We can’t really tell until others play it,” he said. Before revealing gameplay details, they had concerns about whether the game would genuinely frighten players, a testament to their dedication to creating a thrilling experience.
He also shared that while they had ideas for extreme horror elements, like a scene where Grace suffers an injury, they ultimately decided against it. “Sometimes we talk ourselves down,” he said with a chuckle.
Interestingly, as gaming evolves, players’ reactions can shift as well. A recent survey found that 70% of gamers are seeking deeper emotional connections in horror games, suggesting that psychological fear might resonate more than jump scares.
As Resident Evil continues to adapt, the blend of action and horror, coupled with player feedback, keeps it fresh and engaging. It’s exciting to see how developers navigate this balance in future titles, especially as they introduce new characters and storylines.
For those wanting to dive deeper into Resident Evil’s evolution, check out the developer interviews and gameplay previews available here.
Rebekah Valentine, a senior reporter for IGN, shares these insights while also engaging with readers on social media.
