Resident Evil is swapping out zombies-in-the-closet for squad commands in its first-ever real-time strategy game, fittingly titled Resident Evil: Survival Unit. Capcom’s roped in Shinji Hashimoto—the Kingdom Hearts legend—so, yes, this mobile game isn’t just a cash-in. With Aniplex and JOYCITY also on deck, it’s rolling out globally, and no, you won’t need a flashlight this time. Will survival horror fans embrace tactical planning over jump scares? Stick around to uncover what’s next in this zombie experiment.
While the Resident Evil franchise is usually known for its zombies and jump scares, not tactical decision-making, Capcom has decided to shake things up—Resident Evil: Survival Unit is officially on the way, and yes, it’s a real-time strategy game. The announcement came during Summer Game Fest 2025, surprising fans who probably expected more mutated monsters, not base-building or squad commands.
The game is headed to iOS and Android, and it’s not just Capcom behind the wheel. Aniplex and JOYCITY, companies with strong mobile game credentials, are collaborating, and Shinji Hashimoto—famous for his work on Kingdom Hearts—is somehow involved, though his role remains mysterious. The development is being led by Joycity and Aniplex, two studios recognized for their robust game development history.]
JOYCITY brings experience from titles like Gunship Battle and Warship Battle, so they know their way around strategy and mobile platforms. Aniplex, meanwhile, is best known for Fate/Grand Order and Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba games, so clearly, there’s no shortage of anime and strategy know-how on this project.
Capcom’s involvement guarantees the Resident Evil DNA stays intact, even if players won’t be running from Mr. X in third person this time. The game is set to launch across North America, Europe, Japan, South Korea, and Asia, making it a major global release for the franchise.
Capcom keeps the Resident Evil spirit alive, even if you’re commanding squads instead of fleeing from Mr. X this time around.
Gameplay details are still under wraps, which is a little ironic for a strategy game—usually, those are all about planning ahead. What’s clear is that Resident Evil: Survival Unit aims to blend horror with real-time tactical play, aiming to attract both long-time fans who want a new spin and newbies just looking for something fresh on mobile.
The big reveal happens July 10, 2025, via a YouTube showcase, where fans can finally see if zombies can be outsmarted in real time.
Market-wise, this is Capcom’s shot at the crowded mobile strategy arena, and if it works, it might set a trend for other horror franchises. There’s no release date yet, but the game will launch in major regions across North America, Europe, Japan, South Korea, and Asia, which means lots of people will get to try this experiment.
If it’s a hit, expect more genre-bending Resident Evil games—or at least, a lot more tactical zombies.