Resident Evil Requiem review: A 30 year legacy reborn
Resident Evil Requiem review: Memory, requiem, and bioweapon war
This Resident Evil Requiem review is based on the PlayStation 5 standard version. Experience may vary across platforms. Special thanks to Capcom Asia for providing the review copy.
For three decades, the Resident Evil franchise has evolved through experimentation. It shifted between pure survival horror and explosive action. Now, Requiem arrives as a celebration of that legacy. It attempts to combine everything that worked before into one ambitious package.
Resident Evil Requiem does not simply continue Village. Instead, it builds a standalone narrative that reconnects players to Raccoon City. Even newcomers can follow the story, although longtime fans will appreciate the emotional weight far more.
A nightmare that never truly ended
The story follows Grace Ashcroft and Leon S. Kennedy. Their motivations differ sharply. Grace investigates a mysterious death tied to her past. Leon pursues another case that slowly intersects with hers.
The narrative cuts between both characters. However, the transitions feel smooth. The emotional contrast strengthens the pacing. Grace represents vulnerability and fear. Leon represents fatigue from decades of bioweapon conflict.
Requiem uses Raccoon City as a symbolic wound. It reminds players that the tragedy never truly disappeared. The title itself suggests a farewell song for a generation shaped by biological warfare.
Gameplay blends old and modern design
Requiem merges classic survival mechanics with modern action systems. Grace plays closer to Resident Evil VII and Resident Evil 2 Remake. Inventory space is limited. Resources require careful planning. Backtracking remains essential.
Leon, on the other hand, feels closer to Resident Evil 4 Remake. He has grid-based inventory management and more frequent weapon upgrades. Combat becomes more aggressive. Parrying chainsaws with an axe feels absurd yet satisfying.
Both characters share stealth mechanics. Crouching and environmental movement play larger roles than before. Crafting also returns, with each character having unique recipes and resource priorities.
Dual camera system changes everything
One of the most important features in this Resident Evil Requiem review is the dual perspective design. Players can choose between first person and over the shoulder modes.
Over the shoulder mode feels familiar. It resembles Resident Evil 2 Remake and Resident Evil 4 Remake. Switching between Grace and Leon can feel slightly jarring at first because their pacing differs.
First person mode transforms the experience. Grace’s sections become far more terrifying. Enemies appear closer and more personal. The psychological horror intensifies dramatically.
Interestingly, Capcom previously recommended using first person for Grace and third person for Leon. That approach creates a stronger emotional contrast. It also prevents gameplay fatigue when switching characters.
Not perfect, but deeply ambitious
Despite its strengths, Requiem has flaws. Backtracking can feel excessive in narrow environments. Some puzzle sequences interrupt pacing instead of enhancing tension.
Grace’s character development also feels inconsistent at times. Her decisions occasionally lack logical buildup. Furthermore, players unfamiliar with franchise history may struggle to fully grasp the emotional callbacks.
Still, these issues do not overshadow the overall achievement. Requiem remains bold in its attempt to unify three decades of design philosophy.
Graphics and sound design
Requiem is the first mainline entry fully built for current generation hardware. Character models look highly detailed. Environmental lighting enhances atmosphere significantly.
On PlayStation 5, performance mode maintains a stable 60 FPS. Frame drops are rare. Sound design stands out particularly. Gunshots echo realistically. Ambient noise builds dread subtly.
The soundtrack integrates nostalgic motifs carefully. It never overwhelms gameplay, yet longtime fans will recognize thematic callbacks.
Final verdict
Resident Evil Requiem delivers a powerful combination of horror, action, and legacy tribute. It feels like a culmination of the franchise’s identity.
The dual camera system offers two distinct emotional experiences. Gameplay respects classic survival horror while embracing modern mechanics.
It may not be flawless, but it stands as one of the most meaningful entries in the series. For fans of Biohazard, this is a requiem worth hearing until the final note.
