Capcom’sResident Evilshowcase event was meant to show fans exactly what they can expect from the survival-horror franchise for its 25th anniversary, and that’s exactly what it did. As promised, Capcom showcased the upcomingResident Evil 8and touched on some otherResident Evilprojects in the pipeline for this year, giving survival-horror enthusiasts plenty to look forward to in 2021.
Quite a bit ofResident Evilannouncements were made during the showcase, particularly when it comes toResident Evil 8. Considering this, someResident Evilfans may be worried that they missed some details, but lucky for them, we’ve compiled all the information in one convenient place.
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Here is everything that Capcom announced during theResident Evilshowcase event on January 21.
Resident Evil 8
TheResident Evilshowcasekicked off with a new trailer forResident Evil 8. TheResident Evil 8story trailer featured the “vampire lady,” who was speaking to someone named “Mother Miranda.” She indicated that a character named Heisenberg had let Ethan Winters escape, and he’s loose in her castle. She also made reference to her daughters, confirming the identities of the other “witches” that have been seen in previousResident Evil 8trailers.
TheResident Evil 8trailer also showed some brief gameplay, with Ethan Winters fighting zombie-like creatures. Viewers were also given a glimpse of Chris Redfield holding who is presumably Ethan’s missing daughter, though it seems fans will have to wait a bit to get more concrete answers.
Resident Evil 8 Release Date, Collector’s Edition, and More
Following the newResident Evil 8story trailer, Capcom confirmed some exciting details about the game’s release plans. As it so happens, theResident Evil 8release dateis planned for May 7. And when the game comes out, it will be available for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X on day one. Previously,Resident Evil 8was only confirmed for next-gen consoles, so this is the first official confirmation that those stuck on PS4 and Xbox One will be able to experience the new survival-horror game as well. Better yet, those that purchaseResident Evil 8digitally on PS4 or Xbox One will be able to upgrade to the PS5 or Xbox Series X version at no extra charge.
With theResident Evil 8release date officially set for May 7, Capcom opened up pre-orders for the game. Those thatpre-orderResident Evil 8on any platform will get their hands on the Mr. Raccoon weapon charm as well as the Survival Resource Pack, which will give players some extra help in the beginning hours of the game. Meanwhile, those that pre-order the game through the PlayStation Store will get exclusive access to theResident Evil 8soundtrack.
When players go to pre-orderResident Evil 8, they will have a few different options available to them. Besides the Standard Edition, players can opt for the Deluxe Edition, which comes with the Trauma Pack. The Trauma Pack mostly gives players additional ways to customize theirResident Evil 8gameplay experience, like having new safe room music, getting a Mr. Everywhere bobblehead, being able to use a found footage filter fromResident Evil 7, having access to the Max Difficulty mode, being able to use the save device fromRE7, getting the Albert01 Chris gun, and finally, getting something called the Tragedy of Ethan Winters.
TheResident Evil 8Collector’s Edition, meanwhile, includes everything from the Deluxe Edition, a poster ofResident Evil 8’s Village setting, a steelbook, aChris Redfieldfigure, a box, and an artbook.
Players will also have the option to get a specialResident Evilbundle that collectsResident Evil 7andResident Evil 8in one package so that they can play throughRE7first if they haven’t done so already.
Resident Evil 8 Gameplay
After explaining all the different ways they will be able to purchaseResident Evil 8, Capcom decided to entice players further with a gameplay presentation. TheResident Evil 8gameplay trailershows Ethan Winters exploring a castle in search of his kidnapped daughter, and likeRE7, it’s all played from a first-person perspective. But unlikeResident Evil 7, Ethan will be a bit more capable when it comes to combat, having access to new abilities like being able to guard against enemy attacks.
Ethan’s expanded abilities will come in handy, as all theResident Evil 8enemies have unique attack patterns that players will have to watch out for.Resident Evil 8’s weapons will give Ethan an edge, of course, with the gameplay walkthrough showing him using a knife, a pistol, a shotgun, and the powerful F2 Rifle.
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To store all of this stuff, Ethan will have to utilize aninventory system that’s similar to the one seen inResident Evil 4, but with an added crafting system. And speaking ofResident Evil 4, Ethan will also have to deal with a merchant character like the one seen in that game, though this guy is rather obese and is known as The Duke. By talking with The Duke, Ethan will be able to purchase new items as well as upgrade his existing weapons.
Paying The Duke will require Ethan to smash various objects throughoutResident Evil 8’s game world in search of currency. Players will also find collectibles in the environment, as well as things that will help them solve the puzzles necessary for them to progress further in the game.
Resident Evil 8 Demo
For weeks prior to theResident Evilshowcase event, it was rumored that Capcom had a playableResident Evil 8demo in store for fans, not unlike theResident Evil 7: Beginning Hourdemo. Those rumors were confirmed to be true during theResident Evilshowcase event, as Capcom officially announced the game’s Maiden demo. In thisPS5 exclusiveResident Evil 8demo, players take on the role of a mysterious character known only as the Maiden, who has to escape from the castle after waking up in the dungeon. The Maiden can’t defend themselves, and so the demo has no combat. Instead it’s mainly focused on showcasingResident Evil 8’s graphics and audio on the PlayStation 5.
TheResident Evil 8Maiden demo is out on the PlayStation 5 today. Those on other platforms won’t have to miss out forever, though. While this particular demo is PS5 exclusive, Capcom confirmed plans to release a secondResident Evil 8demo on other platforms later this year. Details on that remain scarce, but it should arrive prior to theResident Evil 8release date of May 7.
Resident Evil Re:Verse
Another rumor that was proven correct during the showcase was the reveal of aResident Evilmultiplayer game. CalledResident Evil Re:Verse, this multiplayer game has players taking control of iconicResident Evilheroes and villains, battling it out in locations that should be plenty familiar to franchise fans. This game seems to pull from all corners of theResident Eviluniverse, featuring characters like Nemesis fromResident Evil 3as well as Jack Baker fromResident Evil 7.
Like theResident Evil: Resistancegame that came free with theResident Evil 3remake,Resident Evil Re:Verseis free to anyone that purchasesResident Evil 8.
The Division 2
One of the more surprising announcements at theResident Evilshowcase was the reveal of a crossover event with Ubisoft’sThe Division 2. From February 2 to February 15,The Division 2players can take part in aResident Evil-themed apparel eventto unlock cosmetics based on the franchise. Everyone that logs in toThe Division 2within that time window will get an outfit based on Leon S. Kennedy’s look fromResident Evil 2for free.
Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness
And finally, Capcom acknowledged some of the other, non-gaming projects that are in the works for theResident Evilfranchise. While theResident Evilmovie reboot wasn’t mentioned, Capcom did touch onResident Evil: Infinite Darkness, which coming to Netflix this year. It will be set a few years after the events ofResident Evil 4, and as previously confirmed, is completely canon to the video game franchise.
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