Resident Evil Requiem, the ninth main chapter in Capcom's horror series and a direct successor to Resident Evil Village, is a survival horror game. In this genre, the player must survive with limited resources, fighting enemies and solving puzzles. The game alternates between two main characters: Grace Ashcroft, an FBI investigator who debuts in the franchise, and the experienced Leon S. Kennedy.
The game was released on February 27, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC (Steam and Epic Games Store). The standard version is available for a price starting from 299 reals. The first playthrough of the campaign takes about 10 hours and is intended exclusively for a single player.
The game successfully combines two opposite gameplay styles. With Grace, who is a novice and slow, the game is pure survival horror, where survival depends on stealth. Meanwhile, with Leon, the gameplay transforms into pure action, offering an arsenal of weapons, the famous spinning kick, a one-handed axe, and even electric saws for short periods. This contrast between the two roles is something new to the series.
Switching between characters radically changes the gameplay. One of the most striking moments occurs when the player struggles through a difficult section with Grace, and then crosses the same location with Leon, resolving all problems through force. This shift in perspective is considered the climax of the game.
The start of the game with Grace resembles the horror atmosphere of Resident Evil 7, combining it with exploration and puzzle elements from Resident Evil 2. The creation of this character is impressive: all aspects focus on stealth, puzzle-solving, and resource management. Special attention is drawn to the biological alchemy system, which suits Grace perfectly as an FBI field investigator. By using zombie blood, she creates useful resources throughout the campaign, giving her sections a unique identity.
When the action shifts to Leon, a sense of nostalgia arises for those who played Resident Evil 4 on PlayStation 2. His parts recreate the shooting pace and action of the classic title, where many enemies attack with weapons in hand. It is this clash of opposites that makes Requiem successful: on one hand, a reference to an epochal event, and on the other, the opportunity to see how the franchise is being updated.
The combat system is characterized by smoothness, and the weapon variety is vast. Zombies have also received more variations compared to previous games thanks to one of the best ideas: each zombie version has its own behavior pattern. Due to experiments in the setting, enemies retain residual traits of what they were doing before transformation. For example, the cleaner team zombies behave differently from those performing another task. This detailed approach demonstrates Capcom's care and rewards attentive players.
The classic save system has returned: tape paint is required to record progress in typewriters, symbolizing early Resident Evil games. However, this mechanism is now completely optional. Players can choose the old mode with limited saving and the tension of deciding when to use tape, or the modern mode without such restrictions. This was likely the right decision, as it satisfies both long-time fans and new players.
The game offers two camera options. It is recommended to play Leon's parts from a third-person perspective, observing the character from behind. Grace, however, is better perceived from the first person, through her eyes. These game recommendations should be taken into account, as the first-person view enhances the feeling of vulnerability in horror segments and emphasizes the stylistic contrast between the characters.
The villains possess distinct charm; Victor Gideon confidently fits into the gallery of memorable antagonists of the franchise. The bosses also meet expectations: they are memorable, and each introduces an original combat mechanic instead of simply repeating the 'shoot until it falls' formula. Technically, Requiem is flawless: animations, graphics, and soundtrack are executed at the highest level, matching the caliber of a major studio, which Capcom ensures.
Despite the overall quality, Requiem has flaws. The main one is the campaign length. Because the two characters have completely different gameplay, the contrast is so great that it gives the impression that the player is going through two separate games, even visiting the same locations. The approximate 10-hour campaign, divided this way, leaves the feeling that the stories did not have enough time for natural development for both characters. Sometimes there are abrupt jumps in time or scene changes that seem unnatural due to the rush to finish. This feeling becomes even more apparent upon replaying in search of details and extra materials.
Some of the best moments, such as experiences with Grace followed by an easy run with Leon, are incredibly impressive. However, these moments happen only once or twice during the entire campaign, which is little for such a great idea. The consequence of this is a possible impression on some players that the game is smaller than it actually is. This is not due to a lack of content, but to how it was distributed.
The game is available for a price starting from 299 reals for the standard version on Steam. The Deluxe version costs 399.90 reals on the PlayStation Store. The international price is 69.99 US dollars. The game is not included in Game Pass or PS Plus and is available only for purchase. Voice acting and subtitles are available in Brazilian Portuguese dialect, with Felipe Grinan voicing Leon. The game supports PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC (Steam and Epic Games Store) and is designed for one player. The game rating is 17+. The Deluxe version includes cosmetic items and additional digital materials but does not change the core gameplay experience.
