Capcom has confirmed that it experimented with plans to make Resident Evil: Requiem an open-world game with online elements before ultimately changing course. In a recent developer diary video, Requiem director Koshi Nakanishi revealed brief footage of the now-cancelled version of the game, featuring multiple protagonists in action-heavy gunplay.
According to producer Masachika Kawata, the team had explored various systems early on, but decided to focus back on the horror roots of the franchise. When it releases next year, Requiem will be a single-player game with offline-only gameplay.
Nakanishi acknowledged that some rumors about an online Resident Evil or open-world version had circulated, and while they experimented with these ideas, fans ultimately didn’t want to see them. The team returned to their drawing board and created the game we now know as Requiem.
The setting of Requiem has been deliberate in its choice of urban environments, differentiating it from recent games set outside major population centers like Resident Evil 7 and Village. Raccoon City will play a central role in the game’s story, with a focus on modern drama scenarios.
However, Capcom remains tight-lipped about whether fan-favorite Leon S. Kennedy will be playable alongside protagonist FBI agent Grace Ashcroft. Nakanishi stated that Leon would be “a bad match for horror,” but stopped short of confirming his absence. Fans speculate that Requiem’s more action-heavy moments could showcase the character’s presence, making him a good fit for the game.
Source: https://www.ign.com/articles/capcom-experimented-with-open-world-and-online-resident-evil-requiem-ideas-before-going-back-to-the-drawing-board