Written by: Luis Vox
I vividly remember when Capcom announced "Resident Evil: Requiem" during Summer Game Fest in September 2025. Truth be told, by that point I was a little burned out on new mainline "Resident Evil" titles. I wasn’t much of a fan of the Winters storyline. Ethan was a terrible addition to the RE universe. I enjoyed the beginning of "Resident Evil Biohazard" (2017), but once you leave the Baker compound for the wrecked ship, it turns into a sad imitation of "F.E.A.R." (2005), which isn’t Resident Evil. "Resident Evil: Village" wasn’t much better. I had several apprehensions after learning the game would feature vampires, werewolves, and other supernatural elements. Again, the best parts of the game are near the beginning, and the final boss was just too ridiculous for my taste.
So when it was announced that Resident Evil: Requiem would return to its horror roots and introduce a new character, FBI analyst Grace Ashcroft, I was still apprehensive, but slightly hopeful. For hardcore fans, the Ashcroft name should ring a bell. A young reporter for The Raccoon Press named Alyssa Ashcroft appeared in the "Resident Evil: Outbreak" series, a spinoff online co-op game set during the Raccoon City incident. Not long after the announcement, it was confirmed that Grace is Alyssa’s daughter, and it suddenly felt like Capcom wasn’t just revisiting legacy locations, but also pulling from deeper cuts in Resident Evil lore.
WATCH THE LAUNCH TRAILER FOR "RESIDENT EVIL: REQUIEM" BELOW
In Requiem, Grace is joined by series legend Leon S. Kennedy. This is an older, more experienced Leon than we last saw in Resident Evil 6. Capcom emphasized the two distinct play styles between Grace and Leon.
Grace offers a more traditional survival horror experience. She’s an FBI agent and knows how to use a gun, but she’s an analyst, not a field operative. Her combat abilities are limited, and she’s timid, easily shaken by what’s happening around her. Leon, on the other hand, is the same wisecracking badass we all know and love. His combat abilities are expanded, including a hatchet and a wider arsenal of weapons throughout the game’s 10 to 15-hour runtime.
Admittedly, I was a little concerned about the tonal shift between the two characters. The last time Capcom attempted that was with Resident Evil 6, and that didn’t exactly go well.
As always, the big question is whether Capcom has course-corrected the Resident Evil ship or if the series had already run its course. We’re looking at the story, atmosphere, gameplay, and graphics.
Resident Evil has always had a convoluted storyline, so I’ll keep things focused on Requiem.
A New Face in the Nightmare: Grace Ashcroft
First off, Grace is a great addition to the RE universe. Tying her to a lesser-known legacy character gives her a strong connection to Raccoon City and adds emotional weight once we learn what happened to her mother. Having Leon act more as a supporting force that pushes Grace’s story forward is an interesting choice, and one I really enjoyed. The story overall is strong. It pulls from past lore while expanding it in meaningful ways. The idea of mutating the virus and slowly infecting survivors of Raccoon City is a great touch. Returning to the ruins of Raccoon City itself is also a highlight. Seeing the aftermath of its destruction adds a lot to the experience. Without getting into spoilers, there are some genuinely great surprises here. The story doesn’t rely on nostalgia; it uses it to move the franchise forward.
The atmosphere is on point. Playing as Grace, the game feels tense and genuinely creepy. You feel partially helpless, like she’s always on the verge of breaking. Her character arc is satisfying. She’s not Jill, Claire, or Ada. She sees herself as weak and overwhelmed, and the situation is clearly too much for her. But she grows, and that growth is noticeable as the game progresses.
Two Paths of Terror: Grace vs. Leon
Leon’s side of the story is darker and heavier. This is a man who has been dealing with life-or-death situations for nearly 30 years. As a Raccoon City survivor, we get insight into the toll that’s taken on him. It all feels earned and handled well. His role doesn’t feel like fan service. Instead, it adds weight to the story, especially as he becomes an anchor for Grace.
Gameplay is just pure fun. As Grace, the pacing is slower and filled with dread. I was hoping her role as an analyst would factor more into puzzle-solving, but that’s a minor nitpick. She feels fresh compared to other characters, and because she’s so clearly terrified, it’s easy to step into her shoes. Playing as Leon feels closer to "Resident Evil 4" Remake, with some elements of the "Resident Evil 2" remake. There’s more action, but it’s still rooted in horror. The combat is chaotic and tense, and if you’re not careful, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Both characters have some brutal death scenes, and the gore is absolutely gnarly, especially in 4K or on high PC settings. The two play styles complement each other well, balancing pacing while keeping tension high. The puzzles are fun too, not overly difficult, but engaging enough to keep things interesting.
Graphics and Sound: A Technical Beast
Graphically, this game is a powerhouse. It looks incredible on PS5 in 4K and runs beautifully on my ASUS ROG Strix RTX 5070. The lighting effects are insane, with reflections bouncing off surfaces and water in ways that really enhance immersion. The gore is wet, chunky, and downright disgusting. The enemies are equally disturbing. I also appreciated the nod to George A. Romero, giving the zombies a bit more intelligence, similar to "Land of the Dead" (2005). The sound design deserves praise as well. During Grace’s sections, the creaks, distant moans, and ambient noise keep you constantly on edge, especially in one area where you’re being stalked by something you can hear but never fully predict.
Final Verdict: A Return to Form
Overall, this feels like a return to form. I’d even go as far as to say that, for mainline entries not counting remakes, this is the best Resident Evil game since Resident Evil 4. The balance between horror and action is just right. The story blends old and new elements effectively, building on the franchise in meaningful ways. The gameplay is engaging from start to finish.
I give "Resident Evil: Requiem" 5 mutated zombies out of 5.
"Resident Evil: Requiem" is out now on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC.
0 comments