Just 24 hours after its February 27, 2026 launch, Resident Evil Requiem (the ninth mainline entry) already feels like the series' victory lap after three decades of evolution. Directed by Koshi Nakanishi and built on the RE Engine, this is Capcom at the absolute peak of its powers—blending the raw, claustrophobic terror of Resident Evil 7 and Village with the slick, over-the-top action of the RE4 remake into one cohesive, heart-pounding package. It's not just another zombie game; it's the emotional, gory, and ridiculously fun culmination of everything that makes Resident Evil legendary.
Story & Characters (No Major Spoilers)
The narrative centers on two protagonists whose lives collide in the irradiated ruins of Raccoon City decades after its nuclear "cleanup." New heroine Grace Ashcroft, an FBI analyst still haunted by her mother's mysterious death, gets pulled into a fresh outbreak investigation that drags her back to a derelict hotel and the zombie-infested Rhodes Hill Care Center. She's vulnerable, resourceful, and grounded—exactly the kind of everyperson protagonist the series does best.
Then there's Leon S. Kennedy, older, wiser, and still delivering those signature one-liners while racing against time for a cure. Their alternating campaigns weave together beautifully: Grace's personal stakes add genuine heart and dread, while Leon's sections deliver classic heroic flair and callbacks that long-time fans will eat up. The story respects the franchise's wild lore without feeling like homework, and the "zombies retain memories" twist is genius—it turns shambling hordes into tragic, purposeful threats (think doctors still wielding scalpels or soldiers on eternal patrol). Emotional, campy, sincere, and surprisingly moving—exactly what we've come to love.
Gameplay: Two Styles, One Masterpiece
This is where Requiem shines brightest. The game smartly switches perspectives and playstyles to keep things fresh:
Grace's sections (first-person default) are pure survival horror. Limited inventory, tense stealth, throwing objects to distract enemies, crafting on the fly, and heart-stopping chases through dimly lit hallways. The hotel and care center sequences had me holding my breath—shaky cam, muffled footsteps, and grotesque enemies like a hulking chef with a machete-sized knife or that nightmare-inducing giant woman with the popping eyes. Resource scarcity is brutal, and the tension never lets up.
Leon's sections (third-person) crank the action to 11. Fluid gunplay, satisfying melee (hello, hatchet executions and roundhouse kicks), physics-defying motorcycle chases, mortar-firing zombie swarms, and massive boss fights. The chainsaw finally feels as satisfying as it always should have.
The back-and-forth pacing is masterful—Grace's dread never overstays its welcome before Leon blasts in with spectacle. New mechanics like memory-retaining zombies and clever environmental puzzles (sparkling gems, detonator hunts) keep encounters feeling fresh. Playtime clocks in around 10-12 hours for the main story, but the post-game unlocks and replay incentives (S-ranks, new routes) scream "multiple playthroughs."
Minor nitpicks: The back half leans heavier into action (which some might love), and there's no Mercenaries-style extra mode at launch—slightly disappointing but not a dealbreaker.
Presentation
Stunning. The RE Engine has never looked better—gore is next-level stomach-churning, lighting and shadows are oppressive, and creature design is grotesque perfection. Sound design is elite (those distant moans will haunt your dreams), and the score flips between melancholy piano and pulse-pounding orchestral chaos flawlessly. It runs buttery smooth on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, and even the Nintendo Switch 2 (with gyro support!).
Final Verdict
Resident Evil Requiem isn't just good—it's one of the best in the series and an easy contender for Game of the Year 2026. It respects the past, refines the formula, and delivers the scares, spectacle, and heart fans have been craving. Whether you're a veteran who remembers the original Raccoon City or a newcomer jumping in with Leon's return, this is essential playing.
Score: 9.5/10 Buy it. Play it. Survive it. Requiem for the dead... nightmare for the living. Capcom, you did it again.
Recommended Comments