The game that could make Resident Evil history is “a dream come true for fans,” but its gameplay all but guarantees it won’t please everyone. Resident Evil: Survival Unit will be the first strategy game from Japan, and we already have a first look at what to expect.

There’s no doubt Resident Evil keeps pushing its own limits—and this time, it’s not just about Requiem, but about what we’ve come to expect from Capcom itself. Traditionally, the Japanese publisher stuck to consoles and PC, but now the saga of horror, zombies, vampires, and everything else is breaking into mobile with Resident Evil: Survival Unit. This bold experiment takes the series into unfamiliar territory—horror strategy (previously, Resident Evil: Outbreak Survive was a web exclusive in Japan)—and even features a brand-new monster designed by none other than Japanese legend Yoshitaka Amano. This is the new face of Resident Evil.

Iconic Locations, Fan Favorites, and a Brand-New Monster

Announced for iOS and Android, Resident Evil: Survival Unit blends real-time strategy with tactical gameplay, all wrapped up in the series’ classic apocalyptic narrative. Players will visit legendary locations such as the Spencer Mansion, the Raccoon City Police Station, and the hospital—each transformed into strategic battlegrounds. “I’d call it a dream come true for Resident Evil fans, with a roster of characters and monsters from across the franchise making appearances,” said series producer Masachika Kawata.

Confirmed characters include longtime favorites Leon S. Kennedy, Jill Valentine, and Claire Redfield, joined by Barry Burton, Marvin Branagh, and Alyssa Ashcroft. Ashcroft is introduced as the mother of the future lead in Resident Evil 9: Requiem, tying installments together and, as with Resident Evil 7, cementing her canonical role in the franchise.

Amano and Hashimoto Team Up—Strategy Horror Gets the Japanese Touch

One of the biggest surprises of the reveal was Mortem, a new monster designed by Yoshitaka Amano—the legendary artist behind Final Fantasy’s most iconic characters until Brave Exvius. The two concept images show a creature that fuses a “streamlined Medusa” from Greek mythology with elements reminiscent of Resident Evil Village’s vampires. While its precise narrative role is still under wraps, Amano confirmed that Mortem will be pivotal to the story.

Meanwhile, Capcom revealed that Resident Evil: Survival Unit will be directed by Shinji Hashimoto, former Final Fantasy producer now at Aniplex, who is working alongside Amano for the first time since their Square Enix days. Their synergy is set to give the game a unique visual identity within Resident Evil, while the blend of management and survival mechanics brings new depth to the real-time strategy genre.

Capcom hasn’t announced a specific launch date yet, but Resident Evil: Survival Unit is slated to hit iOS and Android in 2025. Pre-registration is already open on the App Store and Google Play, and all signs point to this mobile spin-off being a turning point for the series.

Source: 3djuegos