Why Resident Evil Requiem is the First Game in the Series to Really Make Me Jump!

The latest trailer for CAPCOM’s Resident Evil 9 made quite a splash during the Summer Game Day. With the series soon turning thirty, the development team continuously finds ways to keep things fresh. Even though the Biohazard games have shaped the survival horror genre, I’ve never found them particularly scary. But during a hands-off preview, I felt a chilling sense of dread that caught me off guard.

Trevor Mitch, the brand manager, kicked off the presentation, followed by a message from director Koshi Nakanishi. They emphasized that Resident Evil 9 is a bold step back to survival horror. Nakanishi mentioned an "addictive fear" that compels players to keep going, eager to discover how the story unfolds. The gameplay preview features Grace Ashcroft, a timid character moving through a terrifying world.

The preview starts with Grace hanging upside down. Unlike previous action-oriented leads, she relies on her wits as an FBI investigator. She escapes her restraints with broken glass, rushing through a sanitized, eerie hospital space into darker hallways.

The atmosphere is thick with horror—shadows and flickering lights elevate the tension. Grace’s breaths sound heavy and panicked, feeding the audience’s anxiety. The gameplay keeps viewers on their toes with unexpected jump scares. Just when she comes across a grotesque scene, a monstrous creature interrupts, biting into a decaying body. Grace stumbles back, desperately trying to evade it.

A new feature allows players to switch between first- and third-person perspectives, similar to enhancements made in Resident Evil Village. Traditionally, Resident Evil games have included horror elements but leaned towards action and adventure, making them more palatable for casual players. However, this demo shifted my view entirely. My heart raced from a calm 78 beats per minute to an alarming 108 during just a few minutes of gameplay.

The twenty-minute preview was relentless—much of it spent navigating through fear-inducing corridors. Resident Evil 9 seems poised to cater to serious horror fans, promising an experience that is both nostalgic and refreshingly terrifying.

Interestingly, a recent survey from a gaming research group found that 70% of gamers are more drawn to horror games that focus on suspense and atmosphere rather than action-packed sequences. This shift reflects a broader trend in gaming where players crave immersive and spine-chilling experiences.

Overall, Resident Evil 9 looks set to reignite the franchise’s horror roots, appealing to longtime fans and newcomers alike. Keep an eye out for further details as the game approaches its release.

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