Resident Evil Requiem, Pragmata, Onimusha: Upcoming Capcom Titles Unveiled
Capcom’s recent years have seen an impressive surge, delivering groundbreaking entries and critically acclaimed remakes for beloved franchises such as Resident Evil, Monster Hunter, Street Fighter, and Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess, along with original titles. However, the publisher’s 2025 lineup is relatively tame, featuring Monster Hunter Wilds and smaller releases like Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny remaster and Capcom Fighting Game Collection 2.
A shift in gears is expected for 2026 as Capcom plans to release three high-profile titles that are anticipated to make a significant impact when they launch on PC and consoles. These include Resident Evil Requiem (Resident Evil 9), the next mainline installment of the renowned survival-horror series; Pragmata, a new third-person shooter with an innovative hacking mechanic; and Onimusha: Way of the Sword, a revival of the classic samurai series. I had the opportunity to test all three at Capcom’s Gamescom preview event in New York City, providing some insights.
The unveiling of Resident Evil Requiem at Summer Game Fest highlighted that the new protagonist, FBI agent Grace Ashcroft, will rely on her intelligence more than physical strength to survive. Grace is not akin to the agile, backflipping Leon Kennedy or the powerhouse Chris Redfield. Instead, she excels in hiding and moving around enemies, which was predominantly showcased in the demo.
An unexpected focus on lighting is apparent, even in the brief demo. Numerous light sources were manipulated, influencing the cat-and-mouse gameplay once a monstrous woman appeared. As she searched for Grace, I discovered some bottles to throw as a distraction. A lighter was crucial, not just for creating contrast but also for aiding navigation under tables and around corners to evade the creature. During the demo, Grace had no weapons, making her powerless against the enemy, with combat traditionally being a staple in Resident Evil titles.
The demo resembled my Summer Game Fest experience, presented both in first-person and third-person perspectives. I prefer the third-person perspective (which becomes less disorienting as I age), so I was relieved when Capcom confirmed that players could switch to this viewpoint at any moment during gameplay. Although 2021’s Resident Evil Village eventually received a third-person camera update, it was evident that the game wasn’t designed with this perspective in mind. Spaces suddenly felt cramped in third person, and the camera lacked the finesse seen in the Resident Evil remake trilogy. That’s not the case with Requiem as both camera angles are considered. Consequently, slight gameplay differences can occur based on the chosen perspective. For instance, there’s a brief chase sequence that unfolds differently depending on your point of view. In first-person mode, the camera shakes during escape sequences; in third person, Grace stumbles and falls, adding tension to the scene.
While much about this new Resident Evil entry remains unknown, its release date is not a mystery. Resident Evil Requiem will be available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S on February 27, 2026.
Pragmata promises to be one of Capcom’s most unique shooters. Announced nearly six years ago at Sony’s PlayStation 5 showcase, Pragmata stars astronaut Hugh and android Diana, who resembles a little girl. Both characters are trapped on a space station controlled by AI named IDUS that seeks their destruction. Together, they battle waves of robots using a gameplay loop that combines instantaneous puzzle solving with rapid-fire gunplay.
To damage enemies, Diana must initiate a hack. By locking onto an enemy, players use the controller’s face buttons to navigate a Snake-like puzzle. The hack is successful when you connect with the green node at the puzzle’s end, opening the enemy for attack.
I played Pragmata at Summer Game Fest and experienced a similar demo at this Gamescom event, although it reduced platforming puzzle sections that slowed the pace in the initial demonstration. Notably, the demo concluded a boss fight instead of ending before one. The battle was relatively straightforward but demonstrated how well the hack-and-shoot mechanics work. Pragmata is essentially a puzzle game embedded within a shooter, and once you find a rhythm, it feels like playing a musical instrument.
I’m curious to see if Pragmata will meet its intended vision. The demo lacked variety in puzzles, and the frantic rush to solve them seemed the most effective strategy for defeating enemies despite damage-enhancing power-ups. At times, puzzle-solving and chaotic arcade shooting felt like attempting to pat your head while rubbing your stomach. Still, I have high hopes for Pragmata and left wanting more. It’s expected to launch on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S sometime in 2026.
I feel a mix of excitement and apprehension about the upcoming Onimusha: Way of the Sword. After nearly 20 years, it is thrilling to see Capcom modernizing the historically clunky, demon-slaying series. However, it’s important to note that Onimusha is no longer a Resident Evil clone; it now belongs to the popular Soulsborne action subgenre.
I dislike Souls-style games but approached Onimusha with an open mind. As expected, the combat is deliberate and engaging, offering a rewarding defensive system that lets you parry incoming attacks. During my demo session, a well-timed parry blocked an attack from an enemy sneaking up behind, allowing me to throw him at another foe for a quick elimination.
The playable demo differed from the Summer Game Fest build. In this new demo, I battled various non-humanoid monsters and navigated through a destroyed village while executing stealth attacks. The demo culminated in a boss fight against Sasaki Ganryu, an opponent wielding gauntlets who shares striking similarities with the wild Goro Majima from the Yakuza games.
Encounters with enemies were enjoyable, but the boss fight stood out. Although it presented challenges, I never felt the frustration typically associated with other Soulsborne games.
Onimusha’s visual presentation is remarkable. The game employs the late actor Toshiro Mifune’s likeness for the main character, Miyamoto Musashi. Alongside excellent voice acting, Musashi comes across as a roguish hero with a kind heart. Although unconfirmed, his English dub sounds similar to Ben Starr, an accomplished voice actor who has recently excelled in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Final Fantasy XVI.
The new Onimusha is set to release on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S in 2026. I have played these games at Summer Games Fest, but testing the new builds offers a better understanding of the anticipation, as well as some reservations. The countdown to 2026 is short, and I eagerly await playing more Resident Evil Requiem, Pragmata, and Onimusha: Way of the Sword in the coming months before their respective releases. Stay tuned for further updates on these exciting titles.
