Resident Evil Requiem Looks Way More Intense Than You Think

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From what the developers have shown us, Resident Evil Requiem looks very promising. Trailers and presentations at events like Gamescom, The Game Awards, and Tokyo Games Show reveal a game with stunning graphics, engaging combat, a compelling story, frightening new creatures, and a consistently unsettling atmosphere.

This feels like the classic Resident Evil experience we’ve been hoping for, and there’s an extra something that really grabs our attention. But we’ve been disappointed by the series before. A truly great game is one where everything works together seamlessly. Still, this is Resident Evil, and the developers’ long history with survival horror suggests Requiem has a good chance of being excellent.

What makes Requiem feel like a truly exceptional game? Simply put, it strikes a perfect balance. It expertly combines the strongest elements of past Resident Evil titles with innovative new features, potentially making it the best game in the series and a standout addition to the survival horror genre.

A Visual Feast

The game looks fantastic. If you’ve seen the trailers, you already know the RE Engine is delivering a really impressive visual experience. These great graphics hint at a solid overall quality that could make Requiem one of the best games in a series with many high points (though, admittedly, a few low ones – let’s focus on the good for now).

Okay, so I’ve seen some gameplay of this new game, and let me tell you, it’s intense! You play as Grace, and you’re constantly being hunted by this really creepy stalker. What really stood out to me was the lighting – it’s always shifting between bright and dark, and it makes the Wrenwood Hotel feel super unsettling. But it’s not just for show! You can actually use the light to your advantage, which is awesome. The stalker isn’t just running around randomly either; they react to what you do. It seems like mastering the light and how the stalker responds is going to be a huge part of playing as Grace.

This is a real strength for Requiem, as it seamlessly connects the game’s environments to its story and how you actually play. It creates a cohesive experience where the visuals actively contribute to the narrative, rather than just being superficial improvements to a familiar style of gameplay.

The game smartly lets players choose between seeing the action from the character’s eyes (first-person) or a more over-the-shoulder view (third-person). This is a great feature for both longtime fans who love the immersive first-person perspective and newer players who enjoyed the camera style in the previous game, Village. It was likely a complex addition, and the smooth transition between views makes it a really well-designed element.

Being able to switch perspectives on the fly really puts you in control of your experience as a player. It’s a new and exciting addition to the Resident Evil series that should make the game even more enjoyable. I think these smooth transitions will be especially helpful when playing as Grace or Leon, letting us explore beautiful environments in first-person and then quickly switch to a better view for fighting enemies – something we’ll definitely be doing a lot of throughout the game.

What truly makes Requiem stand out isn’t just its dual perspectives, but how it shows Grace struggling to survive. The game brilliantly balances choices, creating constant tension no matter your approach. This feels authentic to Grace’s character – she’s a new field operative facing a terrifying ordeal, and the game captures that vulnerability perfectly.

That balance between options also extends to the gameplay.

Good Cop, Better Cop

Making Grace the only playable character in Requiem might have been too simple. While Ethan Winters was the main hero in the previous game (with Rose taking the lead in the DLC), the game really shines by including Leon. He balances Grace’s lack of experience and creates a good mix of stealth and action, both of which the game handles very well.

This is a classic Resident Evil experience, reminiscent of Revelations with its two playable characters. It also introduces a powerful enemy similar to Mr. X or Lady Dimitrescu, keeping you on your toes. The game cleverly switches between the playstyles of Grace and Leon, demanding that players quickly adjust their strategies.

In Requiem, using both Grace and Leon as main characters allows the story to show things from different viewpoints and creates interesting gameplay. We can expect to see how Grace and Leon react differently to the same events, with their individual skills and flaws influencing their choices in a believable way. This also helps players understand the story and what’s happening around them. The developers probably realized that exploring how these two characters think and act would add a lot to the game, which is likely why they decided to include both of them.

If the trailers are anything to go by, Grace will need to stay hidden to survive. Her comfortable office job at the FBI isn’t helping her now, so she’ll have to be determined and stay calm to get through this. That means players will need to be careful how they move and use their resources.

Leon is a fantastic addition! He brings a cool, experienced vibe, clearly drawing on his history in the series. He’s calm and collected, but definitely still a powerful fighter. It’s great to see a returning character like this, offering guidance to a newer hero as they grow and mature.

Leon is a strong candidate to fill the role Chris previously held in earlier games, and his long history with the franchise shouldn’t be overlooked. His connection to Raccoon City will likely play a big part in his relationship with Grace, who only remembers the city as a place she fled from with her mother during a difficult time. It will be compelling to see how Grace confronts those painful memories, and what other unsettling discoveries await her as the story of Requiem unfolds.

The different personalities you see in the game perfectly show how Requiem skillfully blends classic elements with fresh ideas. This approach could be a huge win for the series, offering exciting gameplay for both longtime fans and newcomers. The story also looks promising, adding unique twists to a well-established formula and likely leaving players impressed.

A Story That Sticks To Its Guns

It’s clear the developers are acknowledging the 30th anniversary of the Resident Evil series by returning the story to Raccoon City and likely bringing the Umbrella Corporation back into play after a period of decline. Although details are scarce, there seems to be a strong connection between the new villain, Dr. Victor Gideon, the Epsis organization, and the original, secretive corporation that started it all.

What’s truly impressive is how the game weaves together so many key storylines from the entire series. It not only sets up a return for Leon, but also introduces a new character, Grace. I strongly believe the stalker is Alyssa, and that her current situation is connected to Gideon, with Grace playing a crucial role in his schemes.

This approach effectively draws players into the character’s development, which seems to be following a similar path to Hinako’s growth in Silent Hill f – transforming from a frightened beginner into a capable fighter with Leon’s mentorship. It makes sense, given the game’s hints that these characters will meet and Leon will help guide her. This combination of familiar and new elements feels like the ideal way to revitalize the franchise.

The game looks like it will offer a good balance of stealth and action in its combat. Based on what’s been revealed, players will need to use all their skills to overcome the challenges and keep up with the story.

A Fight For Survival

Playing as Grace will likely be different from playing as Jill or Claire. She isn’t designed to be a powerful, aggressive fighter, and the game’s atmosphere and story reflect that, especially at the beginning. Leon might disagree, but this setup is perfect for introducing stealth gameplay that emphasizes careful planning and strategy. The camera angle will be particularly helpful for sneaking around. As Grace develops throughout the game, we anticipate a good mix of stealth and action in her missions as she gains confidence and skills.

Based on what we’ve seen, Leon’s abilities suggest the series’ strong shooting gameplay – like that in Village – will be a key feature. He’s not a stealthy character; his confidence and skill in fighting even the most powerful enemies are clear in his movements and overall attitude.

He’s a powerful and unpredictable fighter, both with guns and in close combat, and a clear tribute to what fans have loved about him. However, he might face challenges that even he can’t handle head-on, which could mirror Grace’s own story of learning to be more cautious.

What I’m really digging about this new Requiem game is how they’ve given each of the two main characters totally different ways to handle tough spots. It feels really well-rounded, and honestly, I think it’s going to be one of the best entries in the series so far. And it sounds like the enemies are going to be the same – familiar but with some cool new tricks, which is awesome. They’re building on what we already love but keeping things fresh.

The Long Wait’s End

As the release of Requiem approaches in just over a month, we strongly believe it could revitalize the Resident Evil franchise and lead to continued success. It appears to be a truly well-made survival horror game, executed with such impressive style and genuine care that it’s difficult to be anything but optimistic about its future.

We’ll know soon if our predictions were correct, but we’re confident we’re on the right track given the strong existing results. The franchise’s history of success also supports our optimism.

The game strikes a great balance between honoring what fans love about the series and confidently introducing fresh ideas. This makes Requiem particularly promising, setting it apart from other games in the franchise and the survival horror genre generally.

And given how solid Resident Evil has been over the years, that’s definitely saying something.

Please be aware that the opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not reflect the official stance of GamingBolt.

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2026-01-19 16:22