Resident Evil Requiem Review – Infectious Experience
It’s been close to five years since our last mainline entry of the Resident Evil franchise was released with Village back in 2021. Not only did that game continue Resident Evil 7’s first-person point-of-view, but it also continued — and concluded — Ethan Winters’ story.
All of that changes with Resident Evil Requiem (or Resident Evil 9 if you want to stick to something more conventional). This time, we’re thrust into not only franchise newcomer Grace Ashcroft’s shoes, but also that of franchise pretty boy superhero, Leon S. Kennedy.
With how successful RE Village and RE7 have been utilizing a first-person gameplay, some might be wondering whether this is the new series standard or whether we’re going back to the franchise’s traditional third-person perspective. The answer? Why not both?
Two-fer-One
In Resident Evil Requiem, there are a lot of dualities in place. Not only does the game feature two protagonists in Grace and Leon, but players can even choose from two perspectives. At the start, gamers will be asked whether they want to play the game in a dynamic perspective that automatically places Grace’s POV into first-person (for a scarier horror experience), and Leon’s into third-person (so it’s easier to mow down enemies and shoot).
You can choose which perspective you want for each character, but it feels like each character was tailor-made for their default one. You’ll; notice some technical hiccups here and there if you play as Grace in third-person and whatnot.
I personally chose the default camera for each, since this was what Capcom thought was the optimal experience, and I wanted to experience the game as the developers intended.
Aside from the camera, each character plays a lot differently, even if their default control mechanics are the same. Grace focuses more on stealth, avoiding confrontation if you can, and just trying to survive. Leon on the other hand, is the exact opposite. Requiem is very generous in giving Leon ammo, weapons and everything you need to kick ass.
It’s not just that too, the duality also bleeds into the story as well. Without going into spoilers and using Leon as an example, the character is still the badass we all know and love, but at the same time, there’s a vulnerable side to the character we’re seeing for the first time since he is sick, and is one of the game’s main storylines.
Both characters’ tales interweave, and it’s done well enough that it doesn’t feel jarring to jump from one point of view and gameplay style to another. I give massive props to Capcom for that, as each chapter jump to the character is done with a crescendo (of sorts) that will want you to know what happens next.
Choosing Sides
While each character has their own scenario that plays differently from one another, it’s evident that Leon’s parts are head and shoulders above Grace’s when it comes to pacing, action, and overall gaming experience.
For Grace’s chapters in the game, it’s clear Capcom wanted to bring back the same level of horror as in RE7 and RE Village. While there are nerve-wracking moments, it doesn’t have the same level of dread, and the “slow” parts become more of an annoyance than anything else.
Leon’s part of the game, though, is top-notch. It’s a clear evolution from Resident Evil 4, but some survival-horror fans might criticize how it emphasizes action a lot more this time around. I doubt you’ll feel any kind of dread or horror playing as Leon, since you’re armed to the teeth and Mr. Kennedy can kick a ton of ass.
If you’re OK with that, there’s a lot of fun to be had. Leon has a full armory at his disposal, and he also has a hatchet that he can use to slice enemies and pull off some gruesome finishing moves.
Even when it comes to the game’s narrative, Leon’s bit is a lot more interesting and well, a lot less annoying. We won’t go into spoilers, but there is something that happens mid-way with Grace that might make some players scratch their heads.
There are many unanswered questions that will make you want to keep playing until the very end.
Evolution
Resident Evil Requiem feels like a natural evolution of the series, and this applies to not only the controls, survival horror aspect, but even the enemies.
This time around, the zombies we’re so used to mowing down in droves are a bit more menacing. They actually have a little bit of personality this time around, which is a nice twist on your usual braindead horde. Some zombies/enemies have specific traits and abilities, which means your encounters are now more varied.
That’s not even counting the bosses you’ll meet along the way. Chances are, you’ve met the grotesque lady stalking Grace, but that’s just the start. Capcom’s designers went above and beyond to deliver something scary but not over-the-top.
Even when it comes to gore, Capcom has delivered the goriest Resident Evil game to date. When you see Leon or Grace get bitten, killed in various ways, it’s a sight to see. Of course, it’s not just one way, as Leon’s finishers are very satisfying to pull off, and bumps that gore factor to 10.
However, this doesn’t apply to everything and to what might be the most important part: Grace. If you’re a Resident Evil fan, chances are high that you know Leon, right? Grace Ashcroft is the new character introduced in Requiem, and there are a lot of holes within the character itself.
Even with the initial trailer, Grace is presented as an FBI agent, yet she doesn’t act like one — ever. You can’t tell me that the FBI recruits agents without training them for basic survival/combat? Not to mention, sending someone so green on the field without backup? We allow it for the story, but even at the onset, it does sound a bit inane.
Verdict
There’s a lot to be said about Resident Evil Requiem, but most of my complaints are centered around the story, and might not even be an issue for some. That said, there is no way we are spoiling the game’s story in any shape, way or form, so it’s best to experience it yourself.
Thankfully, Resident Evil Requiem’s gameplay, atmosphere, audio-visual work are all fantastic, which makes the game very easy to recommend to not only horror fans, but even action fans too.
Capcom has delivered the first big AAA title of 2026 and what feels like an evolution of the franchise.
Pros
- Two stories happening parallel to each other make for one very compelling tale
- Gunplay, character design and overall feel stay true to the Resident Evil experience
- Monster and boss design are topnotch
Cons
- Grace's sections are a bit slow and plodding compared to Leon's
- Some story sections might make you scratch your head
- Ray tracing mode on PS5 Pro, despite being 60 frames-per-second, has a lot of shimmering, and comes off more distracting
- Grace has no character development throughout the entire game
Resident Evil Requiem was provided by the publisher. You can read MP1st’s review and scoring policy right here.
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I really dislike RE4 and all the ‘action oriented’ sequels… 7 was the first RE game I enjoyed since 3. 8 was fine, but was basically a generic FPS towards the end. Now it seems Capcom is going back to trying to turn this into an action franchise and I hate it. Why is Capcom so afraid of sticking to the SURVIVAL HORROR aspect of this series? Especially after stuff like Silent Hill does it and sells just as well. SH2R and SHf are 10x better than this game because they aren’t bland shooters.