Do you want to play Resident Evil 9 earlier than it launches on Steam? Read on to know how you can play the game earlier than it launches. Find the steps inside to start playing already. Let’s begin.

Resident Evil 9 Early Launch

Since Resident Evil 9: Requiem officially launched yesterday, February 27, 2026, the early access thing doesn’t really work anymore. You don’t even need one! However, if the game still looks locked on your Steam client, it may be a technical or syncing issue. Try fully restarting Steam to force the “Play” button to appear. This may take some time to sync the files and easily start the game. However, keep in mind that Steam used a global release time, so the game is now live for everyone worldwide. That means, wherever you are on the globe, you can play the game at your convenience.

Steps to play Resident Evil 9 Early on Steam

If you want to play Resident Evil 9 on Steam, then these are the steps that you can follow.

Restart Your Steam Client

If you want to do so, this is the most important step. If the “Play” button still says “Coming Soon,” completely shut down Steam and restart it. This forces the client to check Capcom’s servers and acknowledge that the game is live. It will work just fine now.

Complete the Decryption Process

If you pre-loaded the game, Steam must now “unpack” the encrypted files. This is important. This often takes 15–30 minutes, depending on your SSD speed, and you must wait in the meantime. Don’t simply click on cancel. After that, just check your “Downloads” tab to monitor the activity progress and return to see it there.

No VPNs

Unlike consoles, Steam uses a global release time. This makes all the difference. It means that changing your location on the map or using a VPN will not grant you access earlier. It stays the exact same moment regardless of the location one is in.

Verify Game Files

If the game crashes on launch, just try to right-click the title in your Library > Properties > Installed Files > Verify Integrity. The new RE Engine update is something, and it often glitches, occasionally making a file get corrupted during a day-one patch download.

But that is how you can play Resident Evil 9. It has been launched and is available for you to just get on your feet and start playing. Remember that you don’t have to make an extra move to gain an entry. Happy gaming!