The Resident Evil games for me have always had a bit of a split personality. Sometimes, it wants to lock you in a dark mansion with nothing but three bullets and a profound sense of dread. Other times, it wants you to roundhouse kick a mutant through a window while an explosion goes off in the background.
With the release of Resident Evil Requiem, Capcom has decided to stop choosing between the two and instead offers us both. The result is a bold, visually stunning, and undeniably ambitious game that stands as one of the strongest entries in recent memory.
Fresh Faces and Familiar Legends
Resident Evil Requiem structures its roughly 15-hour campaign around two distinct protagonists, offering two very different flavours of gameplay.
First, we are introduced to series newcomer Grace Ashcroft, daughter of Alyssa Ashcroft. Grace finds herself trapped by the mysterious Victor Gideon while investigating her mother’s death. On the other side of the coin is the legendary Leon S. Kennedy, who crosses paths with Grace and shifts the narrative into a high-stakes rescue and siege operation.
While the story takes some massive swings the core dynamic between Grace’s desperate escape and Leon’s tactical assault keeps the momentum pushing forward.
The Gameplay: Horror vs. Action
The true magic of Requiem lies in how it balances its gameplay. Rather than blending horror and action into a messy middle ground, the game segments them beautifully. Playing as Grace feels like a terrifying return to the classic survival horror of the early Resident Evil games. Her campaign is a slow, tense, and methodical journey through the claustrophobic corridors of the Rhodes Hill Chronic Care Centre, where stealth, evasion, and careful resource management are your only lifelines.
On the flip side, Leon’s campaign channels the blockbuster action of Resident Evil 4. The pacing shifts to a fast and cathartic gear as you blast through wide-open siege areas and industrial zones, trading stealth for high-powered arsenals and devastating contextual melee attacks.
Grace’s sections are easily the standout for traditional horror purists. The level design loops in on itself in ways that rival the iconic 1996 Spencer Mansion. Enemies you eliminate as Grace can revive into deadlier mutations, forcing you to constantly rethink your routes. It is tense, atmospheric, and highly strategic.
Leon’s chapters serve as the ultimate tension reliever. After hours of creeping through dark corridors with Grace, taking control of Leon and cleaning out a facility with a vast arsenal feels incredibly satisfying. The combat loop here is the most polished the series has ever seen, boasting weight, incredible hit reactions, and unforgettable boss battles.
Both Grace and Leon’s stories can be experienced from first and third-person perspective giving a true feeling of control for what ever perspective you prefer.
Visually Brilliant and Amazing Sound
We’ve been asking for a truly next-generation experience and getting fed a lot of slop, but Resident Evil Requiem is not only the best-looking game in the franchise’s history it’s one of the best looking games of the current generation and I did not see that coming. The lighting, character models, and environmental details drip with mood, the gore is hyper-detailed, and the combination makes every encounter feel impactful.
The audio design perfectly complements the dual narrative. Grace’s terrifying journey is backed by unsettling ambient silence, while Leon’s action sequences are scored with grungy, industrial tracks that give Requiem a unique sonic identity.
The Final Verdict
Resident Evil Requiem is bound to spark conversations among fans. Purists may wish the entire game stayed in the haunting corridors of Grace’s campaign, while action fans will revel in Leon’s explosive set pieces. For me, I just enjoyed the balance that the game gives you, just as you start to be lulled it rips you into gear in the best possible way. Regardless of which side you favour, it is impossible to deny the sheer quality on display. It is a fantastic, highly polished game that celebrates everything Resident Evil has been, and everything it can be moving forward.
Resident Evil: Requium Scores 9/10
This game is available for the Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation and Xbox.
