Resident Evil Requiem Review: A Conflicted 30th Anniversary Celebration
Resident Evil Requiem marks the iconic franchise's 30th anniversary with a new entry that strives to balance spine-chilling horror with explosive action, delivering very mixed results. This dual-pronged campaign features terrifically scary highs and some all-too terrifying lows, creating a game that feels caught between two distinct eras of Resident Evil history.
A Tale of Two Campaigns
Resident Evil Requiem returns to series roots by placing fan-favourite Leon Kennedy back in the saddle alongside newcomer Grace Ashford, an FBI analyst. The game's structure divides between these two protagonists, offering dramatically different gameplay experiences that never quite harmonise effectively.
Grace's sections play out primarily in first-person perspective, focusing on locked-down locations, tense scenarios, and careful inventory management. Her early chapters within the Rhodes Hill Chronic Care Centre represent classic Resident Evil at its best - pure nightmare fuel with zombified former workers roaming halls, requiring strategic sneaking, exploration, and puzzle-solving.
The medical facility stands as one of Resident Evil's finest puzzle boxes, enhanced by innovative mechanics like the Infected Blood collector that transforms enemies into crafting resources. These segments successfully replicate the intimate, claustrophobic terror that revitalised the franchise with Resident Evil 7: Biohazard.
Leon's Action-Packed Return
Conversely, Leon's campaign plays extremely similarly to the Resident Evil 4 remake and Resident Evil 6, embracing the series' more action-oriented era. While playing as Leon feels slicker and tighter than ever - complete with new mechanics like his upgradable firehouse axe - this approach largely discards the tension and suspense established in Grace's sections.
The shift becomes particularly jarring during sequences like high-speed vehicle chases where players fend off hordes of enemies with machine guns. These moments honour Resident Evil's history of giant monsters and campiness, often providing exhilarating gameplay, but they feel wholly incongruous with Grace's more mature, horror-focused journey.
Narrative Shortcomings and Fan Service
Despite promising beginnings as a murder mystery investigating lingering T-Virus effects, Requiem's story quickly reverts to familiar Umbrella Corporation conspiracies. The narrative introduces compelling villains like Dr. Victor Gideon only to sideline them for fan-service appearances that lack meaningful development or purpose.
This obsession with nostalgia frequently undermines innovation, as the game seems more concerned with name-checking familiar elements than forging new ground for survival horror. The treatment of certain returning characters proves particularly disappointing for series veterans, feeling more like obligatory inclusions than organic narrative developments.
Technical Excellence and Visual Splendour
One area where Resident Evil Requiem excels unquestionably is its technical presentation. Capcom's RE Engine continues to work magic, rendering grotesque enemies in delightfully gooey detail and bringing diverse locations to life with stunning fidelity.
From ruined city streets to underground laboratories, each environment showcases remarkable attention to detail. Even on less powerful hardware like the Nintendo Switch 2, the game maintains visual splendour that regularly inspires awe during exploration sequences.
Final Verdict: A House Divided
Ultimately, Resident Evil Requiem's success depends entirely on what type of Resident Evil experience players prefer. Those seeking another over-the-top action adventure starring Leon as a zombie-slaying badass will find much to enjoy, while fans of the recent first-person horror entries may feel disappointed by the diluted scares.
The game's fundamental problem lies in its attempt to please two distinct fanbases simultaneously, resulting in a confused identity that never fully commits to either horror or action excellence. While individual elements shine brightly, the overall experience feels like a missed opportunity to properly celebrate three decades of survival horror innovation.
Resident Evil Requiem launches on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC, offering a visually stunning but tonally inconsistent anniversary celebration that highlights both the franchise's strengths and its ongoing identity crisis.
