Capcom's Resident Evil showcase 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 upcoming Resident Evil 8 and touched on some other Resident Evil projects in the pipeline for this year, giving survival-horror enthusiasts plenty to look forward to in 2021.
Quite a bit of Resident Evil announcements were made during the showcase, particularly when it comes to Resident Evil 8. Considering this, some Resident Evil fans may be worried that they missed some details, but lucky for them, we've compiled all the information in one convenient place.
Here is everything that Capcom announced during the Resident Evil showcase event on January 21.
Resident Evil 8
The Resident Evil showcase kicked off with a new trailer for Resident Evil 8. The Resident Evil 8 story 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 previous Resident Evil 8 trailers.
The Resident Evil 8 trailer 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 new Resident Evil 8 story trailer, Capcom confirmed some exciting details about the game's release plans. As it so happens, the Resident Evil 8 release date is 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 8 was 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 purchase Resident Evil 8 digitally on PS4 or Xbox One will be able to upgrade to the PS5 or Xbox Series X version at no extra charge.
With the Resident Evil 8 release date officially set for May 7, Capcom opened up pre-orders for the game. Those that pre-order Resident Evil 8 on 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 the Resident Evil 8 soundtrack.
When players go to pre-order Resident 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 their Resident Evil 8 gameplay experience, like having new safe room music, getting a Mr. Everywhere bobblehead, being able to use a found footage filter from Resident Evil 7, having access to the Max Difficulty mode, being able to use the save device from RE7, getting the Albert01 Chris gun, and finally, getting something called the Tragedy of Ethan Winters.
The Resident Evil 8 Collector's Edition, meanwhile, includes everything from the Deluxe Edition, a poster of Resident Evil 8's Village setting, a steelbook, a Chris Redfield figure, a box, and an artbook.
Players will also have the option to get a special Resident Evil bundle that collects Resident Evil 7 and Resident Evil 8 in one package so that they can play through RE7 first if they haven't done so already.
Resident Evil 8 Gameplay
After explaining all the different ways they will be able to purchase Resident Evil 8, Capcom decided to entice players further with a gameplay presentation. The Resident Evil 8 gameplay trailer shows Ethan Winters exploring a castle in search of his kidnapped daughter, and like RE7, it's all played from a first-person perspective. But unlike Resident 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 the Resident Evil 8 enemies 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.
To store all of this stuff, Ethan will have to utilize an inventory system that's similar to the one seen in Resident Evil 4, but with an added crafting system. And speaking of Resident 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 throughout Resident 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 the Resident Evil showcase event, it was rumored that Capcom had a playable Resident Evil 8 demo in store for fans, not unlike the Resident Evil 7: Beginning Hour demo. Those rumors were confirmed to be true during the Resident Evil showcase event, as Capcom officially announced the game's Maiden demo. In this PS5 exclusive Resident Evil 8 demo, 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 showcasing Resident Evil 8's graphics and audio on the PlayStation 5.
The Resident Evil 8 Maiden 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 second Resident Evil 8 demo on other platforms later this year. Details on that remain scarce, but it should arrive prior to the Resident Evil 8 release date of May 7.
Resident Evil Re:Verse
Another rumor that was proven correct during the showcase was the reveal of a Resident Evil multiplayer game. Called Resident Evil Re:Verse, this multiplayer game has players taking control of iconic Resident Evil heroes and villains, battling it out in locations that should be plenty familiar to franchise fans. This game seems to pull from all corners of the Resident Evil universe, featuring characters like Nemesis from Resident Evil 3 as well as Jack Baker from Resident Evil 7.
Like the Resident Evil: Resistance game that came free with the Resident Evil 3 remake, Resident Evil Re:Verse is free to anyone that purchases Resident Evil 8.
The Division 2
One of the more surprising announcements at the Resident Evil showcase was the reveal of a crossover event with Ubisoft's The Division 2. From February 2 to February 15, The Division 2 players can take part in a Resident Evil-themed apparel event to unlock cosmetics based on the franchise. Everyone that logs in to The Division 2 within that time window will get an outfit based on Leon S. Kennedy's look from Resident Evil 2 for free.
Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness
And finally, Capcom acknowledged some of the other, non-gaming projects that are in the works for the Resident Evil franchise. While the Resident Evil movie reboot wasn't mentioned, Capcom did touch on Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness, which coming to Netflix this year. It will be set a few years after the events of Resident Evil 4, and as previously confirmed, is completely canon to the video game franchise.