Resident Evil 9 preview released

A hands-on preview shows Capcom leaning into the stalker mechanic with a fresh setting and updated visuals.

Capcom refines the stalker formula in Resident Evil 9

Capcom's latest preview places Grace Ashcroft in a claustrophobic space that blends a repurposed mansion with a medical facility. The stalker is a mutated humanoid foe who cannot be defeated through force alone. Instead players must hide, move through tight corridors, and solve small puzzles to advance, leaning into the same nerve-wracking energy that defined Resident Evil 7. The demo signals a return to a survival horror tempo rather than big gunplay.

The game relies on a revised lighting engine and tight corridors to heighten dread. Grace’s pursuit is less a straight chase and more a cat-and-mouse puzzle, with the stalker using the environment against you. While the setup nods to Alien: Isolation and PT, Capcom aims to push its own bar with a stronger emphasis on atmosphere and strategy over sheer power. How this translates into longer play sessions will determine whether the fear endures.

Capcom’s choice to reuse the stalker mechanic shows a belief that atmosphere can carry a big budget title. The real innovation lies in blending classic survival rhythm with modern visuals and a smarter sense of space. By making light and sound act as threats as well as cues, the environment becomes a partner in fear.

Yet there is risk. Relying on a single threat can burn players out if pacing doesn’t evolve with the story. The test will be whether Grace’s thread stays engaging as the house reshapes itself around the player. If Capcom sustains this tension beyond the demo, Resident Evil 9 could redefine how horror scales in a big-budget reboot.

Highlights

The trail of suspense could redefine how fear is built in big budget horror games.