Resident Evil is one of the most iconic horror franchises of all time. Whenever a new installment is announced, the fanbase immediately spirals into speculation mode—fan theories flood timelines, deep-dive breakdowns dissect every trailer frame, and we all count down the days until release.
Resident Evil Requiem was no exception. Announced at Summer Game Fest, shown off shortly after, demoed at PAX, and now finally in our hands—it’s been a long, thrilling wait. I’ll admit it: I was beyond excited for this one. The real question is… does it live up to the hype?
Spoiler-free answer: Yes. Absolutely yes.
Gameplay & Story
Resident Evil Requiem splits its focus between two playable characters: Leon and Grace Ashcroft. Early on, the game allows you to choose which character plays in first-person and which in third-person. Take my advice—Grace in first-person, Leon in third. Trust me.
Grace’s perspective is where the horror truly sinks its claws in. From the opening moments, you’re reintroduced to the slow-burning dread reminiscent of Resident Evil 7: Biohazard and the series’ more horror-forward entries. Every hallway feels claustrophobic. Every sound feels intentional. The tension builds patiently—and painfully.
Leon, on the other hand, delivers the cathartic release. His third-person gameplay leans fully into the franchise’s action-horror roots. Where Grace skulks through darkness, hiding from grotesque monstrosities that feel impossibly large, Leon storms those same corridors with confidence, unloading rounds into the very creatures that hunted you before.
The contrast is brilliant.
There’s something deeply satisfying about revisiting an area as Leon that once terrified you as Grace. After dying 14 times to the same mutant, there’s real joy in coming back and saying, “That’s what you get.” It’s a smart design choice that keeps pacing fresh. The horror is gripping and anxiety-inducing—but it’s also intentionally slow. Leon’s sections act as the pressure valve, releasing tension just enough before Requiem tightens it again.
The story centers on Grace and her mysterious connection to something called Elpis. Without diving into spoilers, Elpis is the key to Victor Gideon’s descent into chaos, and Grace is somehow the only person who can unlock it. The game feeds you information gradually, peeling back layers with precision. The mystery unfolds elegantly and unpredictably—I’ve seen plenty of fan theories leading up to release, and most of them don’t even come close.
There are also two endings—one of which is clearly the intended resolution. You’ll know it when you see it.
Beyond Grace’s arc, Requiem deepens Leon’s character in meaningful ways. We see where he is emotionally and mentally at this stage of his life, and longtime fans will appreciate revisiting familiar locations that add real narrative weight. It feels nostalgic without being cheap. Purposeful without being indulgent.
On Normal difficulty, Requiem is slightly more accessible than some previous entries. Personally, I think that’s a good thing. This is a story and experience that deserves to be played by as many people as possible.
Graphics & Design
Let me put this simply: Resident Evil Requiem is gorgeous.
Designing a game filled with dark corridors is deceptively difficult. Too much darkness becomes visual noise. Too little ruins the atmosphere. Requiem finds the perfect balance. Shadows feel natural and dimensional, not like blank patches of black. Environments feel alive—like spaces that exist beyond your movement through them. For a full graphics breakdown you can check out our NVIDIA spotlight article here!
The creature design is equally impressive. Resident Evil has always excelled at Bio-Weapon horror, and Requiem might feature some of the best yet. The Girl, showcased during early demos, is only the beginning. Her towering, distorted silhouette and slow, stalking presence make her instantly iconic. Victor Gideon, one of the primary antagonists, also earns his place among the franchise’s best villains. His unpredictability is unsettling. One moment he’s calm and almost sympathetic; the next, he snaps into something explosive and terrifying. That instability makes every interaction feel dangerous.
And the voice acting is OUTSTANDING.
Angela Sant’Albano delivers an incredible performance as Grace. You feel her fear, her uncertainty, her emotional conflict—and more importantly, you hear her evolution. By the end of the game, there’s a noticeable shift in her voice. Confidence replaces confusion. It’s subtle, but powerful. Gideon’s performance matches that intensity. The menace, the softness, the volatility—it’s all there. The cast deserves serious recognition for elevating the emotional stakes of the story.
Feedback
I always say no game is perfect. Even the great ones have flaws. But with Requiem, the negatives feel more like nitpicks.
Certain Leon sections lean into fetch-quest objectives that occasionally feel like resource drains more than meaningful challenges. It’s understandable from a gameplay perspective, but there were moments where it felt like I was being sent back and forth purely to burn ammo.
That said… that’s about it. When your biggest complaint feels that minor, you know you’re playing something special.
Final Verdict
Resident Evil Requiem is an unapologetically epic return to one of the most beloved horror franchises in gaming history. And if I may, in my opinion, Requiem cements Resident Evil as the greatest horror franchise of all time. From pulse-pounding terror to over-the-top action spectacle, it balances both sides of its identity flawlessly. From the moment I started playing to the final cut to black, I didn’t want it to end. I was gripping my controller, fully immersed, hoping every fade-out wasn’t the final one.
Requiem delivers true horror, explosive action, compelling mystery, stunning design, and unforgettable performances.
This isn’t just a must-play for Resident Evil fans. It’s a must-play. Period.
Resident Evil Requiem is available this Friday for PC via Steam, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2.
While Resident Evil Requiem might be one of the biggest releases of the year there are still plenty more to come so check out our release calendar to stay up to date with upcoming games, guides, and more!
