Resident Evil Requiem is cold, badass, and terrifying — from the first hungry zombie to its shocking finale. It’s my new favourite entry in this long-running series.
Capcom has taken everything they’ve learned from nearly a dozen Resident Evil games and crafted one of the tightest, most satisfying survival horror experiences in years.
Not counting the remakes, it’s been 13 years since Leon Kennedy last starred in a new thriller. Fans had high hopes for his return — and they’re more than justified.
Capcom hasn’t just leaned on nostalgia; they’ve blended the tension, light puzzles, and pacing that make the series iconic with modern visuals and gameplay, creating something that feels fresh without losing the soul of Resident Evil.
I completed the story in roughly 16 hours, and not once did the game slow down.
The opening hour alone is like stepping into a horror blockbuster — intense, cinematic, and gripping from the first moments in the rain-soaked streets. From there, Resident Evil Requiem never lets up.
READ MORE: Resident Evil Requiem: ‘The Zombies Have Evolved’
The Best Opening Hour Of A Video Game In Years
Before Leon steps back into the spotlight, we meet FBI analyst Grace Ashcroft — a new face on the Resident Evil scene.
She’s sent to investigate a murder at the old Wrenwood Hotel. The twist? It’s the same location where her mother — familiar face Alyssa Ashcroft — was killed eight years earlier. Her boss knows this. He sends her anyway.
Grace isn’t a hardened action hero. She’s timid, broken, and visibly shaken. Playing as her in the opening sequences is tense in a way the series hasn’t done before — her movements are slow, and her breathing is heavy.
It’s recommended to play as Grace in first-person. That said, the options there to switch it up. The fear comes from Grace’s vulnerability, the pacing, and the environment — rain lashing the windows, shadows in narrow hallways, and the RE Engine’s lighting that makes every corridor feel alive (or seriously dead).
READ MORE: Interview | Resident Evil 4 producer Hirabayashi Yoshiaki
A flashback shows a younger Grace fleeing through the same halls with her mother while being hunted.
Lightning cracks through windows and you’re back to the present day. Just as you’re settling into that dread, Leon arrives.
Where Grace is cautious, Leon is calm and methodical. Where she hesitates, he advances — and he has a shiny new hatchet for splitting heads.
The contrast between the two is brilliant and sets the tone for the rest of the game. Leon was my favourite to play — but Grace shouldn’t be overlooked. Some of her sequences were up there with the most terrifying moments I’ve experienced in a game.
Fresh But Familiar — How Requiem Takes The Classic RE Formula And Evolves It
Resident Evil Requiem keeps the series’ core intact: explore, find gems, unlock doors, survive, fight, and push forward. But it also adds layers that feel both natural and satisfying.
Ammo is scarce, inventory space is carefully managed, and puzzles are intuitive yet rewarding — never tedious, but enough to make you feel clever when you solve them.
One early challenge gave me a real “ah-ha!” moment with a passcode hidden in a series of photographs — classic RE satisfaction without stalling the tension. There are zombies on the prowl — standing around isn’t an option.
Grace brings something new to the table with her Blood Collector.
Some infected kills leave behind a pool of blood or chunks of gore that she can harvest to craft ammunition, tools, and a stealth injector capable of blowing zombie heads apart.
It’s disgusting, it’s practical, and it reinforces the thrill that’s always defined the series.
I felt progression in a meaningful way, and the alternating perspectives between Grace and Leon didn’t allow the gameplay to go stale.
This game is genuinely frightening at times — looking at you, Basement level! I needed to take breaks when it got too intense. Some will say I’m soft, I say Capcom has just taken it to the next level.
It’s the perfect balance: classic survival horror tension, with new tricks and mechanics that never break the flow or the fear.
Combat, Enemy Variety and Bosses
Grace and Leon couldn’t be more different. After the explosive intro, Grace wakes up in the Rhodes Hill Chronic Care Center to a world of hell.
She’s slower, with limited weapons. But as you progress, she unlocks more unique ways to fight back.
Leon has a larger arsenal, can eventually upgrade weapons using enemy kills as currency, and introduces slight RPG mechanics that reward exploration.
Enemies are diverse — countless zombie types appear, almost never repeating the same skin. Shooting arms or knees produces the desired effects, and a new class of infected, called blisters, replaces the traditional tendril-headed zombies entirely — gross fun!
Boss fights range from mini-bosses like the below big hungry boy, to the more story focused showdowns. Scattered between all of them are several hide-and-survive sequences that add a constant layer of tension.
Raccoon City, Replayability, and Difficulty
Yes, we’re going back to Raccoon City — but I won’t go into much detail here. Behind the wheel of his fancy Porsche, Leon heads back to the now ruined city streets. They’re haunting, and the threats inside get the heart pumping.
It’s here that Leon truly starts to shine, and brand new — and bloody fantastic — game mechanics unlock. I’m limited in what I can show here (embargoed sections) so I think it’s best for you to just play it for yourself.
Difficulty wise, I played through the game on Standard. This was a good starting point for any casual Resident Evil player. Any easier and the thrill of the game — the creeping tension and fear factor — would’ve suffered.
Some boss fights also felt surprisingly manageable — in a few cases, they were easier than clearing out a packed group of regular zombies. Like previous entries, the arena is typically stocked with helpful items before a major showdown, which can take the edge off what should be the most intense moments.
It never ruins the experience, but it does slightly blunt the difficulty curve.
There’s multiple difficulty levels, including one that brings back the classic ink ribbon save system for those craving a punishing experience. And for some extra insanity… There’s an Insanity mode players can unlock after completing the game.
Performance On PS5
On the PS5 Pro, Resident Evil Requiem runs beautifully. 4K, 60fps and ray tracing all day.
The game’s visuals fully leverage the RE Engine.
There was just two minor visual quirks: a shadow loading oddly inside a building, and Leon’s gun strap temporarily sticking out straight — which I quickly resolved by detaching a trinket.
The DualSense controller’s adaptive triggers respond naturally when firing weapons, and haptics subtly enhance tension.
When it comes to music, often none is the best way forward. That said, music maintains edge-of-seat anxiety without ever being overwhelming.
How does Resident Evil Requiem play on the Switch 2?
QD’s Mark Santomartino has been playing through Resident Evil Requiem on the Nintendo Switch 2 and said he never felt like he was missing out on the full Requiem experience.
The game looks great across both PlayStation 5 and Switch 2 consoles. Here’s some of our captured footage for comparison:
Should you buy Resident Evil Requiem?
Resident Evil Requiem is the most confident the series has felt in years. It’s visually impressive, mechanically confident, and unafraid to let silence, tension, and precise design drive its horror.
Boss fights and the narrative are memorable, enemies inventive, nostalgia is high and the contrast between Grace and Leon elevates both characters and gameplay.
This is the bloodiest, boldest, and most cohesive Resident Evil yet. Capcom has delivered a survival horror experience that respects its legacy while pushing the series forward.
Quest Daily scores Resident Evil Requiem:
9.5/10
Resident Evil Requiem is coming to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2 and PC on February 27th.
Early access to Resident Evil Requiem was supplied to Quest Daily for the purpose of this review.
