Capcom has spent the last several years reminding players why Resident Evil remains one of gaming’s most important horror franchises. The remakes of Resident Evil 2, Resident Evil 3, and Resident Evil 4 brought classic entries back into the spotlight while modernizing them for a new generation. Resident Evil Requiem feels like the next step in that journey. It does not just revisit what worked before. It builds on it with confidence, style, and a strong sense of purpose.

Story Setup Balances Legacy and Momentum

One of the strongest parts of Resident Evil Requiem is how it sets up its story without leaning too hard on nostalgia. The game opens with a mystery involving Grace Ashcroft, who is assigned to investigate a case strangely related to events from the past. At the same time, Leon S. Kennedy is dispatched to examine what appears to be the same situation from another angle. That dual perspective immediately gives the story momentum and creates a strong balance between mystery, horror, and action.

What makes this structure work is the contrast between the two leads. Grace Ashcroft represents a newer presence in the Resident Evil world. She brings a different kind of perspective and helps Requiem feel like a true next chapter. Leon, on the other hand, carries the history of the franchise with him. His presence gives weight to the story and reinforces how much time has passed since the events that shaped him. Requiem uses both characters well, and the result is a story that feels connected to Resident Evil’s past while still moving the series into new territory.

Gameplay Creates Two Distinct Experiences

The biggest gameplay strength in Resident Evil Requiem is how differently it handles Grace and Leon. The game does not just swap characters for variety. It uses them to create two very different styles of tension, and that design choice gives the experience a lot of personality.

Grace’s segments lean much more into survival horror. It strongly encourages first-person play during many of her moments, and that perspective makes the fear feel immediate. When you play as Grace, you do not feel like an action hero. You feel exposed, cautious, and constantly on edge. The tension comes from movement, awareness, and the feeling that direct confrontation is not always the best option. That design communicates her vulnerability very well, and it creates some genuinely unnerving moments.

Even as someone who usually prefers the more action-forward side of Resident Evil, I found Grace’s sections very effective. They are tense in a way that feels deliberate and well crafted. The game knows exactly what emotional response it wants from those sequences, and it executes them with confidence.

Leon’s sections deliver the opposite kind of energy, and that contrast is one of the best things about the game. Playing as Leon S. Kennedy feels like stepping into the role of a seasoned action icon. He still has the charisma, the bravado, and the one-liners fans expect, but Requiem also presents him as someone who has been through years of chaos and loss. He is more grizzled now, more worn in, and that makes his presence even stronger.

This is where Resident Evil Requiem really shined for me. It understands that Resident Evil has always lived in the tension between horror and action. Grace elevated the suspense and dread. Leon brings the grit and confidence. Requiem lets both sides of the franchise exist together, and that balance keeps the pacing strong from start to finish.

Elevating the Horror

Resident Evil Requiem is one of the most cinematic Resident Evil games to date. The franchise has always had a strong sense of presentation, but this game feels especially polished in the way it stages scenes, frames environments, and transitions between gameplay and story moments. There were several moments where it felt like I was both watching a horror film and actively playing through it, which is exactly the kind of immersion this series thrives on.

The sound design deserves a lot of credit. Requiem uses atmospheric audio extremely well. Sounds above you, behind you, and in the distance constantly build tension and make you question what is nearby. Small environmental noises and sharp audio cues do a lot of heavy lifting in creating fear. Combined with the game’s lighting and environmental design, the sound work helps make the world feel oppressive in the best way.

More Players Enjoy Resident Evil Requiem

Another thing Resident Evil Requiem does well is accessibility and player comfort. While the game often encourages first-person perspective for its horror sections, it also gives players flexibility. If first-person is too intense or simply not your preferred way to play, you can switch to third-person in many situations. That option makes a real difference because it lets players manage the tension without removing it entirely.

The game also includes helpful features like easier auto-aiming and visual support options, which make the experience more approachable. Those choices matter in a game that wants to be immersive and frightening but also playable for a wider audience. Requiem strikes that balance nicely.

Verdict

It was honestly difficult to find major flaws in Resident Evil Requiem. The only recurring issue I noticed was that some in-engine facial textures can look a little glossy in close-up shots. That is not unique to this game and feels more like a broader Capcom engine trait, but it does stand out from time to time. Outside of that, there is very little here that pulled me out of the experience.

Overall, Resident Evil Requiem is a strong entry in the franchise and an exciting step forward. It captures what fans love about Resident Evil while expanding the series with a familiar but fresh dual-character structure, strong cinematic presentation, and a great balance between survival horror and action. As Resident Evil approaches its 30th anniversary this March, Requiem feels like the right kind of release at the right time. It honors the past, embraces the present, and makes a strong case for the future of the franchise.

If you are a longtime Resident Evil fan, this is an easy recommendation. If you have been waiting to see where the series goes next, Resident Evil Requiem shows Capcom still has plenty of life left in one of gaming’s most iconic horror series.

Kurosh’s Verdict: 9/10

Reviewed code provided by the publisher. Reviewed on PS5.

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