Item: Resident Evil: Requiem
Rating: 5
Author: Gamohol

I’m going to give it to you straight – Resident Evil: Requiem is the best entry in the series bar none. That’s how this review is going to start, and this is how this review is going to end. Leon S. Kennedy is back on his most perilous journey to date, and with him is series newcomer Grace Ashcroft, an FBI analyst who sets out to confront her past. Let’s talk about it.

Resident Evil: Requiem Story Review: Leon, Grace Ashcroft, and the Return of the T-Virus

Resident Evil: Requiem is the culmination of over thirty-years of Resident Evil. Leon S. Kennedy is infected with the Raccoon City Syndrome, a seemingly fatal disease caused by a long-dormant form of the T-Virus that originally appeared in Raccoon City. Leon, along with a handful of other Raccoon City survivors, are infected, with six survivors already passing away from the effects of the virus.

Grace Ashcroft is sent to the Wrenwood Hotel to investigate a string of murders and disappearances. Why an FBI analyst is sent to an active crime scene alone is beyond me, but this is justified by Grace’s boss who believes she needs to face her past. Eventually, it is revealed that Grace Ashcroft is the daughter of Alyssa Ashcroft, a Raccoon City survivor who was playable in the cult classic Resident Evil: Outbreak duology. Grace is forever linked to the Wrenwood Hotel because Alyssa was murdered there, and the key to her mysterious death might be hidden within the present case.

Is the Umbrella Corporation truly defunct? Who is responsible for the reemergence of the T-Virus? Who is the mysterious figure stalking Grace? Most importantly, what is Elpis?

Resident Evil: Requiem opens the door to the past while allowing us a glimpse into the future. The plot is consistent with Resident Evil, but the stakes are much higher this time around.

Resident Evil: Requiem Gameplay Review: Two Playstyles With Leon and Grace

The game is separated into two distinct playstyles. Grace is played similarly to Ethan Winters. Her preferred perspective is first-person, and her gameplay is deeply rooted in stealth and crafting useful tools using infected blood she collects during her sections of the game. Simply put, Grace’s gameplay feels closer to Resident Evil: Biohazard and Resident Evil: Village. She isn’t an elite operative like Leon S. Kennedy or Chris Redfield. She’s an average human being with anxiety, and this is reflected in how she struggles to survive impossible situations.

Her main advantage lies in the infected blood she can use for crafting ammunition and key items such as the Hemolytic Injector, which can instantly eliminate zombies. The Hemolytic Injector becomes crucial for survival, as enemies that appear defeated may not stay down as you progress through the game.

That’s right, Crimson Heads are back – but not exactly. Resident Evil: Requiem introduces “Blister Heads”. Like the Crimson Heads of earlier games, Blister Heads are aggressive zombie variants created when dormant infected bodies mutate over time. The Hemolytic Injector ensures these enemies stay down permanently.

Leon S. Kennedy, on the other hand, plays much closer to Resident Evil 4: Remake. His sections are in third-person perspective, and he carries a much larger attache case than Grace. He also has access to more weapons and upgrades. While Grace upgrades gear through a hub system using Antique Coins found around Rhodes Hill, Leon upgrades equipment directly.

Leon’s knife is replaced by a hatchet. It is heavier and breaks faster, but it can be repaired instantly during combat, Monster Hunter style. The downside is that repairing it leaves Leon vulnerable to attacks.

To compensate for Leon’s lack of access to the Hemolytic Injector, he retains the stealth kill mechanic from Resident Evil 4: Remake. Instead of stabbing enemies, Leon decapitates them, preventing them from returning as Blister Heads. He also gains contextual melee actions. For example, if an enemy is positioned near a wall, Leon can slam their head into it. Brutal, but extremely effective.

Leon also has access to hidden execution attacks. By firing at an enemy at point-blank range, players can trigger a secret finishing move that instantly kills the target and saves ammunition.

Both Leon and Grace share the powerful Requiem handcannon. It can eliminate most enemies in a single shot, but ammunition is extremely scarce, even though it can be crafted.

Resident Evil: Requiem Graphics and Performance: A Technical Showcase

Resident Evil: Requiem looks stunning on PC. It performs extremely well, even on older machines, and it scales beautifully with higher-end hardware thanks to features like Path Tracing.

The visual presentation is matched by outstanding sound design. Melee attacks feel impactful thanks to a combination of strong animations and gritty sound effects that give every hit real weight.

Gunplay is also extremely satisfying. Enemies are far more resilient compared to the Zombies, Ganados, Molded, and Lycans seen in earlier Resident Evil titles, which makes every encounter more tense.

The voice acting is another highlight. Leon sounds older, more experienced, and clearly exhausted after years of fighting bioterrorism. The rookie cop from 1998 is gone. In his place is a hardened survivor who has seen everything.

Grace, on the other hand, feels fragile and emotionally raw. Her anxiety and determination make her a sympathetic character, and she quickly became one of my favorite additions to the series. I genuinely hope she returns in future Resident Evil games.

Closing Thoughts

Resident Evil: Requiem is easily one of the strongest entries in the franchise. The dual gameplay styles between Leon and Grace add variety, the story expands on decades of Resident Evil lore, and the technical presentation is outstanding. It’s a game that respects the past while pushing the series forward, making it a must-play for both longtime fans and newcomers.

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Summary

Resident Evil: Requiem delivers a powerful survival horror experience with two distinct playstyles, a story deeply tied to the series’ legacy, and excellent technical performance. With strong characters, intense combat, and memorable atmosphere, it stands out as one of the most complete Resident Evil games to date.