Resident Evil Requiem review – One of the best entries in the series yet

The original Resident Evil is one of the most influential video games of all time. It certainly made an impact on me the first time I saw its trailer in a GAME store back in 1996, anyway. From its inventory management and fixed camera angles to its puzzles, it laid out the template for the survival horror genre which is still in use today. Though in 2005, developer Capcom shook things up with Resident Evil 4. Those fixed camera angles were out, and there was more of a action-horror focus. A new area of Resident Evil had begun.

It’s crazy to think that we’re now on the ninth mainline entry in the series, and there have been many, many spin-offs over the years, too. But there’s something special about Resident Evil Requiem, in that it tries to marry both the classic survival horror and more the modern action horror experiences together to deliver one of the most engaging entries in the series yet. Whether you prefer being fearful of your enemies and carefully making your way through locations while managing limited inventory space and solving puzzles, or taking the fight to a variety of grotesque creatures with a varied arsenal, Resident Evil Requiem has something for you.

It’s all thanks to the game’s dual-protagonist setup. The story here is centred around Grace Ashcroft, a young woman who works for the FBI. Years ago, her mother, an investigative journalist, was killed in an incident at a hotel, and it’s left her with many questions. Now, years later, she’s been tasked with making a visit to the hotel to investigate a string of strange deaths in the area, and it’s there that a true nightmare awaits her.

By default, you’ll experience Grace’s gameplay sections from a first-person viewpoint, limiting your field of view while deeply immersing you in the action. The result is a true horror experience, especially when you also factor in that she has very limited inventory space and pretty much only has makeshift knives and a pistol to make use of in combat. You can switch to a third-person view if you wish, however. Whichever you choose, it’s safe to say that when playing as Grace you’ll want to avoid enemies as much as possible, relying on stealth and your wits to explore as you hunt down the items you need and solve puzzles to progress.

The main area you explore as Grace, a care centre, is notable for the type of zombies roaming its rooms and corridors, too. These zombies exhibit a shred of humanity, still clinging on to certain behaviours that they had before they died. From zombies that sing eerily in the distance, to others that get really mad if you make a noise, this somehow adds to your terror, making them more than just walking lumps of undead flesh. Though you can also exploit these behaviours to your advantage. If a zombie is sensitive to noise, for example, then perhaps throwing an empty bottle will allow you to distract it.

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Grace also has to deal with multiple pursuer-type enemies that will no doubt make the hairs stand up on the back of your neck whenever they’re around. Though she doesn’t always need to run and hide. Thanks to a device she picks up early in the game, she has an uncanny ability to craft things using blood, and that includes ammo for her pistol. A range of injectors can also be created, including one which makes zombies explode if you manage to jab them with it. You’ll come to question whether combatting zombies is a good idea, though, when you discover that they’ll sometimes spring back to life or become a fearsome ‘Blister Head’.

The other playable character here needs no introduction for series fans, as it’s none other than Leon Kennedy, who was first playable in Resident Evil 2 and then really came into his own in the more action-oriented Resident Evil 4. Conducting his own investigation into the strange deaths that have been occurring, his path quickly crosses with that of Grace, and soon their stories become intertwined. When it comes to Leon’s gameplay, however, there’s less need to be fearful as he’s armed to he teeth and more than willing to get up close and personal to deliver a powerful melee attack.

To suit the action-horror focus of Leon, you’ll be playing via a third-person viewpoint by default, but again, you can change it if you wish. Unlike Grace, Leon has lots of inventory space, and has access to a wide variety of weapons including a pistols, shotguns, rifles and machine guns. On top of that, he always has his axe at hand, which he can freely sharpen to keep in tip top condition. Still, despite his impressive arsenal and combat moves, there’s still plenty of horror to be felt thanks to the enemies he has to face off against.

With you mainly taking control of Leon for the second half of the game in which you return to Raccoon City, you’ll find that he encounters a wider variety of enemies than Grace – and many of them are far more aggressive. There are still plenty of zombies, of course, including yet more horrendous Blister Heads, but there are also undead soldiers, beefed-up mutated hounds, and more. And let’s just say that this is not a game for those with arachnophobia. Throw in some memorable boss encounters and some moments that will fill long-time series fans with nostalgia, and playing as Leon once again is a genuine treat.

Ultimately, the mix of gameplay styles works really well, with Leon’s sections acting as relief from the slower-paced pure horror largely on offer in the first half of the game, with his gameplay becoming more interesting and challenging in the second half. Even a set-piece involving a high-speed bike chase manages to be utterly thrilling rather than dragging things down. The only thing that will perhaps disappoint you little here is the game’s final area, which comes across as a little sterile. But it is what it is.

The campaign here will likely take most players around 12-14 hours to complete on their first playthrough, and while there are no additional modes such as Mercenaries to throw yourself into afterwards, there are various challenges to complete in order to earn points and unlock a variety of bonuses such as infinite ammo. Some of these will be truly tough to beat, too, such as completing the game on its hardest difficulty, and in under four hours. Many will find there’s a decent amount of replayability, then.

Resident Evil Village tested the waters, offering bouts of pure horror mixed in with its more modern action horror gameplay, and with Resident Evil Requiem, Capcom has found the perfect blend. This, at times, truly captures the feeling of the original game, putting players on edge at the mere hint that there’s a zombie around the corner. This is offset by the more gung-ho action horror experienced when playing as Leon, but the impressive selection of enemies and scenarios here means that things can still get very tense when playing as the beefed-up special agent. The result is one of the best Resident Evil games to date, especially for those who can appreciate both of its distinct gameplay styles.