Introduction

One of my favorite survival horror franchises has always been Resident Evil. As a kid, I had to watch my dad play through the original Resident Evil and its sequel because I was too scared of the creeping, moaning zombies to pick up the controller myself. As a teenager, I made it my mission to absorb every Resident Evil game and beat them myself. I couldn’t get enough, reading every novel, watching every movie, and even playing the strange spin-off titles.

That’s why I was beyond excited to hear about yet another entry in the franchise, the ninth mainline title, Resident Evil: Requiem. Featuring a brand-new protagonist alongside fan favorite Leon S. Kennedy, this entry had massive expectations to live up to following the success of Resident Evil 7: Biohazard and Resident Evil Village.

We once again step into the nightmare, but does this new installment mark a return to greatness or stumble into the darker moments of the series? I’m about to find out in my review of Resident Evil: Requiem for PS5. Don’t worry readers—there are no spoilers waiting to jump-scare you in this review.

Gameplay

Resident Evil: Requiem accomplishes something I didn’t expect from the franchise: a seamless fusion between modern action gameplay and classic survival horror.

You play as two protagonists—FBI agent Grace Ashcroft and returning series veteran Leon S. Kennedy. Rather than swapping characters like Resident Evil Zero or Resident Evil 5, the game separates their campaigns while weaving them together throughout the story.

Grace’s sections lean heavily into classic survival horror. She isn’t a trained combat specialist, and that vulnerability shows. Her hands visibly shake when holding a weapon, especially in the suggested first-person mode. Grace relies on stealth, puzzle solving, and careful resource management. A new system even has her collecting scraps and blood to craft ammunition—don’t question it.

Her inventory is limited, enemies are relentless, and ammo is scarce. Fans of Resident Evil 7 will immediately recognize the tension in Grace’s segments. Zombies are no longer slow-moving threats either—they speak, move quickly, and even use items they find nearby.

Leon’s gameplay, however, feels much closer to Resident Evil 4. At this point in the timeline, Leon is a hardened survivor. He carries a larger inventory, has access to powerful weapons, and even wields an axe for devastating finishing attacks and defensive maneuvers. Where Grace sneaks through hallways, Leon bursts into rooms and demolishes enemies head-on.

What makes Resident Evil: Requiem special is how the game alternates between these two playstyles. Just when Leon’s high-octane action begins to dominate, the game shifts back to Grace’s tense exploration segments. The pacing keeps both styles fresh, making the combination surprisingly effective.

Graphics

Visually, Resident Evil: Requiem might be the most impressive entry in the series. The environments range from dimly lit hallways to grotesque laboratories drenched in blood. Character models look incredibly lifelike, and lighting plays a huge role in the atmosphere.

Grace begins her journey with nothing more than a small lighter, and the way it illuminates the environment is astonishing. Shadows stretch across walls while subtle details slowly reveal themselves in the darkness.

Enemy designs are equally disturbing. The new antagonist, Victor Gideon, stands out immediately thanks to his scarred face, unsettling eyes, and bizarre medical apparatus. Every detail contributes to an oppressive atmosphere that keeps players on edge.

Sound

One thing I missed from earlier Resident Evil titles was the unsettling ambient sound design—those faint noises lurking behind doors or echoing through empty corridors. Resident Evil: Requiem brings that tension back in full force.

The voice acting also deserves praise. Nick Apostolides returns as Leon, continuing his excellent portrayal from Resident Evil 2, Resident Evil 4, and Infinite Darkness. Angela Sant’Albano voices Grace Ashcroft and perfectly captures her nervous yet determined personality. Meanwhile, Antony Byrne delivers a memorable performance as Victor Gideon, giving the villain an unsettling presence.

The audio design highlights just how far the franchise has come since the campy voice acting of the early games.

Story

Fans of the franchise will be happy to know that Resident Evil: Requiem delivers a strong narrative that ties into multiple previous entries. References to older titles—including Resident Evil Outbreak and the original games—are woven throughout the story.

I won’t spoil any details, but longtime fans will notice plenty of clever callbacks while newcomers will still find an engaging story filled with twists and surprises.

Overall Impression

I remember discussing Resident Evil: Requiem with friends and worrying that the dual gameplay systems might hurt the experience. I’m happy to say I was completely wrong.

Across the roughly eight-hour campaign—longer if you explore thoroughly—I was constantly impressed by the game’s pacing, atmosphere, and gameplay variety. Longtime fans will find plenty to love, while newcomers will likely want to revisit previous titles after finishing this one.

Conclusion

Resident Evil: Requiem has become my favorite game in the entire franchise. That might sound like a hot take, but the game expertly combines everything I love about the series—from classic survival horror tension to modern action gameplay.

Having played every Resident Evil title—even the strange ones like Gaiden—I always worry that the next entry might fail to capture the magic of the series. Thankfully, Resident Evil: Requiem delivers a near-perfect experience.

Capcom has set a new bar for the franchise, and if this is the future of Resident Evil, then horror fans have a lot to look forward to.

—Aaron