8Bit/Digi

A Return to Where it All Began

It’s been a long time since we’ve gotten a new Resident Evil game, whether an original entry or a remake. But the wait was worth it, because Requiem is a strong new addition to the series. It’s a survival-horror experience that applies lessons from past titles, draws on the franchise’s rich history, and cranks the terror up to the max. The result is a standout Resident Evil entry and one every horror fan should play.

Resident Evil Requiem doesn’t just take players back to the T-Virus nightmare; it also wants to recreate the experience of surviving the Spencer Mansion. Utilizing the series’ 30 year history and the lessons learned from the last few titles, the end result is another horror masterpiece.

The Ghosts of Raccoon City

Set 28 years after the Raccoon City outbreak, survivors are showing signs of late-onset T-Virus infection (dubbed the Raccoon City Syndrome). At the same time, some have been found murdered or gone missing. The pattern draws the attention of FBI Agent Grace Ashcroft, whose mother was killed investigating Raccoon City’s aftermath, and DSO Agent Leon S. Kennedy, a former RPD officer now suffering from Raccoon City Syndrome. Their paths cross through Dr. Victor Gideon, a former Umbrella researcher who continued his experiments after the pharmaceutical giant’s downfall. Gideon kidnaps Ashcroft and takes her to the Rhodes Hill Chronic Care Center, but Leon spots him, triggering a minor outbreak in Wrenwood City. Leon tracks Gideon to the center, only for the facility to go into lockdown as a full-scale T-Virus outbreak erupts.

Leon and Grace must work together to prevent the outbreak from spreading and uncover how Dr. Gideon’s research connects to the Raccoon City Syndrome. Their journey takes them through the Rhodes Hill Chronic Care Center and back to the ruins of Raccoon City.

Like the entries since Resident Evil 7, the series has put greater emphasis on horror while steadily expanding its lore. What sets Requiem apart is that it’s the first new mainline entry to reconnect strongly with the early games by bringing back the T-Virus and the Raccoon City outbreak. This is even clearer with the introduction of Grace Ashcroft, who ties into the broader lore through her mother, a key figure in the Outbreak Files series. At the same time, Leon S. Kennedy returns, but on the cusp of death, but not going down easily. Both are brought together by shared experiences that have haunted them, and now it’s time to put those demons to rest.

The Hero Returns

Resident Evil Requiem presents two different experiences based on your character, while still using survival-horror gameplay as its foundation. This means the core gameplay is the same for both characters, but the experience is radically different.

Regarding its core gameplay, Requiem builds on the proven foundation of Resident Evil Village and the Resident Evil 4 remake, refining mechanics and pacing. Limited resources like ammo and healing items remain crucial, adding constant tension to every encounter. A new take on the classic crafting system has you collect blood and then mix it with scrap to craft additional supplies. Regardless of who you are playing as, being mindful of your supplies is key to surviving the horrors you will encounter.

The experience changes depending on whether you play as Grace Ashcroft or Leon S. Kennedy. Grace delivers a pure survival horror approach because she’s more vulnerable and inexperienced in combat. She relies on stealth to navigate the Rhodes Hill Chronic Care Center, avoiding fights unless absolutely necessary. At the same time, her experience puts a heavier focus on the environment and tension, since she’s unprepared for the horrors she’s facing. Leon, by contrast, feels closer to Resident Evil 4 thanks to his experience in these situations. His playthrough puts a heavier emphasis on combat, but tougher enemies still force you to manage ammo carefully.

Power of Blood

Right away, it’s worth pointing out that Requiem takes full advantage of its M rating. It’s one of the most violent entries in the series, and it commits to that intensity. There’s more blood splatter, grotesque monsters, and mutant abominations than in recent entries. Yet it doesn’t rely on gore alone; it’s also one of the scariest games in the series because it knows how to build dread and control the mood. The blood and guts complement the horror instead of replacing it.

Requiem may be an original game, but at its core, it reimagines Resident Evil in key ways. Rhodes Hill Chronic Care Center is essentially a reworked Spencer Mansion, from its exterior architecture to its lobby and overall layout, complete with rooms that feel illogical for a medical facility. Even the narrative mirrors that classic structure, letting you experience the same story from different perspectives. The setup works because it’s been a while since the series has leaned this hard into a contained space, and it allows players to relive the dread that defined the original, only this time through Grace and Leon. So while Village aimed to reimagine Resident Evil 4, Requiem aims to reimagine the first game’s experience, with a callback to Resident Evil 2.

A Harsh Reality

One of my peeves with the game is that Grace walks ridiculously slowly, and it can feel like a slog just to get anywhere. Running barely helps, and my thumbs start to get sore from how much pressure I’m putting on the joystick. Her movement feels like wading through a pool while something tugs you backward at the same time. It gets annoying fast, and it’s the only part of her campaign I didn’t like. Another issue I had is that I was hoping to see more of Raccoon City’s ruins, because it would’ve been great to revisit a place so many of us have strong memories of.

Despite these shortcomings, Requiem is overall another solid entry into the Resident Evil series.  

Deadly Duet

Resident Evil Requiem fully embraces the series’ horror roots while recreating the experiences that made the series beloved. At its core, it reimagines what it felt like to face the Spencer Mansion’s horrors in the first game. The difference is that it has more than 30 years of history to draw from, along with the return of a beloved hero. The result is one of the best original entries in the series and one of this generation’s best horror games that is not a remake.

Disclaimer: The publisher, through a PR representative, provided the game used for this review.

This review is the critique and thoughts of one writer. If you want to see how other critics felt, then check it out on OpenCritic.

8Bit/Digi is an independent media outlet that provides insight into the gamer community of the San Francisco Bay Area.

Resident Evil Requiem (PC)

10

Masterpiece

10.0/10

Pros

• It’s a reimagining of experiencing the Spencer Mansion.
• Two different experience but told in the same story.
• It has truly earned that M rating with the horror and gore.
• The return of Leon and its connection to past titles.

Cons

• Grace walks ridiculously sluggish and it can feel like a slog to get anywhere.
• Was hoping to see more of Raccoon City.