Review: Resident Evil Requiem (PS5) – Two-in-One Horror Not Quite an All-Timer

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Resident Evil Requiem successfully combines the highlights of both Resident Evil 4 and Resident Evil 7, resulting in a great game that feels a little uneven.

This game continues the story of the series, blending the tense, survival horror style of Capcom’s earlier remakes with the faster-paced action of more recent titles. Players will experience both styles: through new character Grace, who focuses on classic survival horror, and Leon S. Kennedy, who delivers the action-packed gameplay fans expect.

The game frequently shifts between different viewpoints to support its contrasting styles – one moment you’re solving bizarre puzzles and managing inventory, the next you’re engaged in intense gun battles. This creates a compelling rhythm in the first half of the game, but unfortunately, that balance largely disappears later on.

Resident Evil Requiem is fantastic, offering thrilling moments whether you’re sneaking past zombies as Grace or fighting them head-on as Leon. However, the game eventually feels unbalanced, with too much focus on one character’s gameplay and not enough on the other.

So, after finishing the Shadows of Rose DLC for Resident Evil Village, the main story really dives into what’s been happening recently in the Resident Evil universe. I’m playing as Grace, an FBI agent trying to solve a string of murders, and it turns out they’re all connected to the original Raccoon City outbreak back in ’98. Meanwhile, Leon’s on his own investigation, dealing with a new infection popping up. It feels like everything’s circling back to the past, which is pretty cool.

I’m so hooked on this story! It’s amazing how the characters’ investigations keep bringing them together. They’ve both gotten really invested in this big mystery, and it’s led them to the ruins of this legendary city, all to find out more about something called Elpis. I can’t wait to see what they discover!

Okay, so I’m playing as Grace, an FBI agent, but honestly, she’s a total scaredy-cat! It’s kinda funny because she’s terrified of everything weird, which actually makes the game super tense and freaky – exactly what you want in a survival horror game. The game puts you right in the action with a first-person view, though you can switch to third-person if you prefer. It really reminds me of the vibe from Resident Evil 7, which I loved!

Grace isn’t a fighter; she has limited weapons and ammo, so she relies on exploring and solving puzzles. The Rhodes Hill care centre is a standout location, perfectly capturing the feel of classic Resident Evil with its challenging puzzles, complex design filled with locked doors, and frightening enemies.

You wander the building’s corridors and rooms, desperately looking for a way out, while Leon seems to be handling the dangers elsewhere with relative ease.

The game switches between different viewpoints as the story unfolds. When you play as Leon, you’ll have access to a wide range of powerful weapons like shotguns, rifles, and grenades. This is very different from the weapons Grace uses, and this contrast is a key part of how the game builds and releases tension.

Leon’s game typically shows you the action from a behind-the-shoulder perspective, though you can switch to a first-person view. This camera angle clearly sets apart the two ways to play. He also has improved awareness of his surroundings, access to more weapons, and a larger inventory. Leon uses this extensive arsenal alongside impressive hand-to-hand combat and throws.

The game focuses heavily on fast-paced action now, with less emphasis on puzzles or sneaking around. Zombies are easier to defeat, and the priority is moving forward quickly. Playing as Leon, you’re constantly on the go and need to keep pushing ahead.

The game cleverly switches between two different ways to play, creating a fun and dynamic experience that keeps things interesting. Whether you enjoy tense survival horror or fast-paced action, you’ll naturally find yourself switching back and forth. This also helps the story flow smoothly and keeps the game moving at a good speed.

However, the game doesn’t divide its time equally between the two characters. Capcom claimed the approximately 15-hour story would be “almost equally split” between Leon and Grace, but that turned out not to be the case.

The latter part of Resident Evil Requiem shifts the story to Raccoon City and primarily follows Leon. Although Grace is still a significant character, she mostly appears in pre-rendered scenes. Once you leave the Rhodes Hill facility, you’ll play as her very little.

By the end, the playtime split feels much closer to two-thirds as Leon and one-third as Grace.

Resident Evil Requiem really shines with its action, especially once the story reaches Raccoon City. Exploring the familiar, ruined locations and engaging in thrilling combat is incredibly fun. Unfortunately, the game becomes repetitive and loses some of its impact when it focuses almost entirely on these elements for the latter half of the experience.

The game’s title placement feels a little off, but the gameplay itself is fantastic – there’s no question about that. Whether you choose to play as Leon or Grace, and regardless of your preferred perspective, it delivers a truly great Resident Evil experience.

While constant action can be exciting, it gets tiring without variety. The game starts strong by mixing action with other elements, but later relies on action too much, which actually makes the experience worse.

One of the highlights of Leon’s return to Raccoon City is its revitalized design. Like the game The Last of Us Part II, it offers a large, open area where players can freely explore and tackle objectives at their own pace.

Side areas offer additional challenges, hidden items, and rewarding combat encounters, making them some of the game’s most memorable moments, while the primary objectives drive the core experience.

Raccoon City wouldn’t be complete without its police department, and seeing it in ruins is a particularly striking moment. The game includes lots of fun nods and hidden details that longtime fans will really appreciate.

We can’t reveal any plot details, but Resident Evil Requiem is really coming together, with a particularly strong finish in its final stages.

While the game initially draws you in, its story doesn’t quite live up to its potential. Despite revisiting the beloved setting of Raccoon City, the main storyline and its twists feel underwhelming by the end.

Wow, this game is absolutely gorgeous! As a long-time fan, I can honestly say this is the best the RE Engine has ever looked. Capcom really outdid themselves – everything from the cutscenes to actually playing the game is stunning. I especially love how they’ve handled the environments. The close-up details inside places like Rhodes Hill are incredible, and then the game opens up to show you the wider world of Raccoon City in all its glory. It’s a real treat for the eyes!

Okay, so playing on the PS5 Pro is seriously smooth. I’m getting a solid 60 frames per second with ray tracing turned on, which looks amazing. If I want to push it even further, I can switch ray tracing off and hit 120FPS. And the best part? I haven’t run into a single bug or glitch – it’s just a flawless, technically perfect experience.

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2026-02-25 18:38