Resident Evil Requiem Review

Resident Evil Requiem is the latest entry in Capcom’s legendary survival horror franchise, released in celebration of the series’ 30th anniversary since its debut in 1996. This new chapter introduces Grace Ashcroft, a fresh protagonist tasked with investigating a string of mysterious deaths. On her heels is a grizzled Leon S. Kennedy, now suffering from an affliction that threatens his very life.

As their investigation deepens, Grace and Leon uncover a conspiracy rooted in the infamous Raccoon City tragedy nearly three decades ago. Now they must uncover the truth behind this and stop those responsible for this new threat that could doom the world.

Resident Evil Requiem is here, folks, and it’s a god damn banger.

Survival Horror Returns

Resident Evil Requiem brings back the familiar setup by reintroducing dual protagonists as players experience the story through both Grace Ashcroft and Leon S. Kennedy, each with distinct gameplay perspectives. Unlike the separate character campaigns of earlier titles, Requiem offers a continuous storyline that switches between two unique experiences tailored to its characters.

Grace Ashcroft is an FBI analyst tasked to investigate a recent incident at the Wrenwood Hotel, which coincidentally is the site where her mother, Alyssa Ashcroft of Resident Evil Outbreak, was murdered. Her campaign embraces a traditional survival-horror design, equipped with a limited inventory and the return of elements like the storage box and the iconic typewriter.

Taken together, they reinforce Grace’s role as an investigator who relies on resourcefulness rather than brute strength, effectively increasing the tension every step of the way. She is not the fighter Leon is, and her character accurately reflects that through various audio cues and actions. Between her labored breathing, quivering voice, and even small details like her hands shaking as she handles a pistol, Grace is a fantastic lead character that effectively communicates the distress she finds herself in.

While players can switch between first- and third-person modes at will, the first-person view is strongly recommended to fully immerse in the atmosphere. The claustrophobic corridors, limited resources, and unpredictable encounters amplify the anxiety of survival, a feeling that is diminished in third-person mode. The chilling feeling of being scared as Grace is superb.

Grace isn’t a combat pro, but can defend herself through basic means. Killing all zombies isn’t the best use of the scarce resources in the game, so crafting and smart item management play a vital role, with makeshift knives and throwable distractions like Molotov Cocktails adding ways for Grace to survive.

An ingenious addition to Grace’s crafting mechanic in Resident Evil Requiem is the use of infected blood to craft better tools that aid survival. She can collect blood samples with a tool and craft them with other components in your menu screen, such as injections and serums to help deal with the terrors ahead.

Puzzle-solving is more prominent in Grace’s campaign, though the challenges are not overly complex and usually require certain items recovered from backtracking and accessing previously locked doors that are now open. Some items will be exclusive to Grace, while others will be for Leon.

The tension escalates during sequences where Grace is relentlessly pursued by “The Girl,” a towering monstrosity that evokes the series’s most terrifying stalker enemies. As The Girl is blind, Grace will rely on controlling the noise she makes by moving quietly and using distractions to evade that danger.

Resident Evil Requiem‘s audio design plays an important role in bringing this harrowing cat-and-mouse experience to life. You can hear The Girl’s imposing snarls and disembodied chains scraping the floor and clinking from a distance, warning you of her presence. Before you can even see her, the sense of lurking dread is ever so imminent. On the PS5, the haptic effects send subtle signals of Grace’s heartbeat and footsteps, adding to the tension.

Lighting also plays an important role in Resident Evil Requiem, and since zombies still retain some human habits, identifying them can give clues on how to deal with them. One Zombie can be seen tapping a light switch while mumbling, “turn off lights,” so if you flip a nearby switch to activate the lights, that zombie can be lured away from the path it was previously blocking.

While Resident Evil Requiem doesn’t fully replicate the oppressive dread of Resident Evil VII, mostly due to its setting, Grace’s campaign delivers genuine moments of fear and suspense. These survival horror elements are extremely welcome, reigniting the appeal for players who cherish its horror roots.

The Hero Returns

As mentioned, Resident Evil Requiem alternates between Grace and Leon’s perspectives within a single storyline rather than using a Campaign A/B setup. This approach allows players to experience the full narrative seamlessly, while the shift between survival horror and action gameplay keeps the pacing dynamic.

With Grace’s default POV being first-person, Leon’s is third-person, emphasizing action and combat. There’s a genuine sense of “bring it on!” as Leon, armed with a diverse arsenal that includes handguns, shotguns, rifles, and his signature firearm, Requiem, is well-equipped to confront the horrors ahead.

Apart from his weapons, Leon’s melee capabilities set him apart. Using his hatchet, Leon can perform quick and powerful attacks, parry incoming blows, and finish off weakened foes. The ability to sharpen the hatchet mid-game as it grows dull adds a satisfying layer of resource management. It’s rare to feel trapped and helpless when controlling Leon, since he has multiple tools at his disposal.

Leon and Grace will both encounter zombies, but the way they deal with them will differ. While light and sound can distract the whole lot of them, some zombies can be far more cunning, using weapons to attack. More evolved zombies can be more relentless, while heavier zombies can block narrow corridors, preventing escape.

Zombies are quite interesting in Resident Evil Requiem because they are not your generic run-of-the-mill type. They possess distinct “personalities,” depending on the human form the zombie had before turning. Chef zombies usually wield knives and cleavers, surgeon zombies have scalpels, and police zombies have limited use of their firearms. Opera-singing zombies will wail loudly, shatter glass, obscure vision, and even deal actual damage at close range.

As Grace, your instinct is to simply disable and run away to conserve ammo, but leave them long enough, and they can mutate, evolving into relentless beasts dealing lethal damage at closer range. Thankfully, you can craft items that can instantly kill zombies and prevent these mutations, whereas with Leon, killing is the name of the game. Watch out, as zombies you don’t kill as Grace can become a problem for Leon, and vice-versa.

When cornered, zombies can lunge for a bite, which will trigger a quicktime event where you can escape or counter with your melee weapon to avoid actual damage. When timed right, Leon can actually execute a zombie with their equipped weapon instead.

Environmental interaction further enhances Leon’s combat style in Resident Evil Requiem. He can pick up enemy weapons, detonate explosive barrels, and deploy grenades to control crowds. Unlike Grace, Leon often faces larger groups of enemies and full-scale boss encounters, which really feeds more into his action-oriented playstyle. His expanded inventory system, a la Resident Evil 4, allows him to craft ammunition, explosives, and healing items more freely compared to Grace.

Leon can find weapon parts and charms that he can attach to his arsenal, boosting combat capability and adding extra perks to his weapons. Parts like muzzles and scopes can increase damage or improve weapon stability and sway. Charms can increase firearm damage, such as handguns, which will have better penetrative capabilities.

Puzzle and level design in Leon’s campaign lean toward environmental challenges, either by finding ways to traverse blocked areas or by eliminating obstacles, in contrast to Grace’s cerebral, clue-based puzzles. This distinction defines the complementary nature of their gameplay: Grace investigates, while Leon smashes through.

Resident Evil Requiem handles the balance between horror and action quite well. Leon’s sequences provide adrenaline-fueled action amid the tension of Grace’s survival-horror sections, without undermining each other. Together, their perspectives create a rhythm that keeps the experience fresh and engaging throughout.

Back To Where It Began

Resident Evil Requiem offers a campaign that runs 10-12 hours, depending on difficulty settings and how you play, tracking similarly to recent entries. The story and how it unfolds may be a bit too safe and convenient for some, but it is undeniably entertaining, with one path proving more satisfying than the other. On Casual mode, abundant resources and weaker enemies reduce the tension, making it ideal for players who want to focus on the story with occasional scares.

For those seeking the authentic Resident Evil experience, Standard (Modern) difficulty strikes the right balance, and completing the game unlocks Insanity mode, designed for hardcore fans eager to test their limits. A Standard (Classic) difficulty setting is also available, where autosaves are few and far between, and ink ribbons are required to save.

The voice acting in Resident Evil Requiem is a standout element. Grace Ashcroft is portrayed with a soft-spoken vulnerability that captures her fear and determination, making her journey relatable and emotionally resonant. Leon S. Kennedy, by contrast, embodies the franchise’s action-hero archetype with sardonic humor, one-liners, and a confident bravado that lightens the mood without undermining the tension.

True to tradition, Resident Evil Requiem includes the usual extras that enhance replay value. Completion points reward players for meeting specific challenges, such as finishing without healing or clearing harder difficulties, and unlock bonus content like character models and concept art, along with gameplay modifiers, reminiscent of the series’ classic incentives.

Resident Evil Requiem does not offer graphics modes on the base PS5, but the game looks and performs extremely well by default, maintaining a rock-solid 60fps throughout. PS5 Pro owners will get a much better experience, with the ability to toggle ray tracing and boost frame rates. Loading screens are rare and hardly noticeable, and the serviceable DualSense implementation is a plus. The use of the controller speaker is also a very nice and welcome touch.

If Resident Evil Requiem has a shortcoming, it lies in the villains. While they serve as effective foils to Grace and Leon, they lack the iconic presence of past antagonists such as Albert Wesker, the Baker family, or Lady Dimitrescu. Still, the unfolding mystery remains compelling, with well-paced revelations and satisfying payoffs that keep players invested throughout.

Verdict: Buy It!

Resident Evil Requiem blends the atmospheric, harrowing survival-horror elements of Resident Evil VII with the refined gameplay of the recent Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 4 remakes. It is a fantastic addition to the series, making it an unquestionable must-play day-one purchase for fans and newcomers.

The dual-protagonist structure delivers a balanced experience, with Grace’s tense survival horror sequences contrasting seamlessly with Leon’s adrenaline-fueled encounters. Neither element overshadows the other, creating a dynamic that keeps players glued from start to finish. The narrative, although a bit safe, unfolds with satisfying reveals, memorable protagonists, and a great pace that ensures the journey builds to an explosive finale.

While the villains may not reach the heights of past antagonists, the overall package is undeniably fantastic. With strong performances, rewarding gameplay variety, and extras that encourage replayability, Resident Evil Requiem could be a Game of the Year contender and possibly one of the best games of 2026.

*Resident Evil Requiem was reviewed on a PS5 with a code provided by the publisher.