Resident Evil January 2026 presentation

 

copyright: resident evil and biohazard are property of Capcom. 

brevity and ethics: I have no association with resident evil or Capcom. Just a fan 

Last week, Capcom announced an upcoming presentation focused on the Resident Evil franchise. Although the announcement stopped short of explicitly naming Resident Evil 9, it’s hard to imagine the event being about anything else. With the next major entry in the series launching next month, all signs point to this showcase giving fans their clearest look yet at what’s coming.

Predictions

Gameplay Reveal

To start with the most obvious expectation, a new gameplay trailer feels almost guaranteed. Capcom has already confirmed that the game will feature two distinct playstyles depending on which character you control. Grace’s sections are said to return to classic survival-horror roots, emphasizing tension and resource management, while Leon’s campaign will lean more toward the action-horror approach seen in Resident Evil 3–6.

What we still don’t know is how these two styles will coexist within a single game. Will the story alternate between characters chapter by chapter? Will players be able to choose who to follow first? This presentation seems like the perfect opportunity for Capcom to demonstrate how that dual structure actually works in practice.

A Return to Raccoon City After the Fall

Beyond gameplay, many fans are hoping for something even bigger: a true return to Raccoon City. The community has been desperate to revisit the series’ most iconic location in a meaningful way. While Resident Evil 3 Remake gave us a modern glimpse of the city, it also altered the map and story in ways that left longtime fans divided. Even spin-offs like Operation Raccoon City were set during the events of Resident Evil 2, meaning we’ve never really seen what happened after the bombing.

If Resident Evil 9 finally explores the aftermath showing whether anyone survived or if attempts were made to rebuild it could be one of the most exciting pieces of lore the series has delivered in years.

Demo Incoming

Of course, all of this speculation leads to one very practical expectation: a demo. With the game releasing next month, it would be shocking if Capcom didn’t let players get their hands on it early. The series has a long tradition of pre-release demos, and they’ve become a key part of the hype cycle.

That said, fans are still haunted by Capcom’s recent habit of timed demos. If this ends up being another “48 hours only” situation, expect social media to explode and not in a good way.