The survival horror community is currently losing its collective mind over Capcom’s latest. Resident Evil Requiem (effectively RE9) has officially landed, and it’s proving to be one of the most ambitious and divisive entries in the franchise’s 30-year history.
I’ve been unable to play it yet (likely too scared if we’re being honest…). But we’ve been tracking the scores, and it’s clear: Capcom isn’t playing it safe anymore.
So here’s a bit of a breakdown of the reviews, hot off the press, if you will…
The critical darlings: A tale of two genres
The big hook for Resident Evil Requiem is its dual-protagonist structure, which splits the game into two distinct gameplay loops. Critics are largely impressed by how these styles complement one another.
- PCMag (4.5/5) called it an “outstanding” entry that honours the series’ legacy. They particularly loved the contrast between the new protagonist, Grace Ashcroft, and the legendary Leon S. Kennedy. While Grace provides the “tense, genuinely scary” moments, Leon serves as the “palette cleanser” with explosive action.
- GamesRadar+ praised the game as the “most cinematic and emotional” Resident Evil to date. They noted that while Leon feels like the ultimate action hero in third-person, Grace’s first-person segments are “knee-deep in carnage,” making her one of the most human protagonists the series has ever seen.
- VICE was equally enamoured, claiming it’s the best release since Resident Evil 4. They highlighted the “Zombies with personality” feature, where enemies retain traits of their former lives—like a butler zombie who instinctively rushes to turn off light switches.
Steam & user sentiment
The fans are showing up in droves. On Steam, Requiem is sitting pretty with a 96% “Overwhelmingly Positive” rating across over 35,000 reviews.
The community seems to love the “Requiem” mechanic, using blood specimens to craft ammo and health, adding a layer of risk-and-reward to every kill. Leon’s new hatchet and parry system (plus his ability to wield enemy chainsaws) has also been a massive hit with those looking for that Resident Evil 4 high.
It seems like the consensus among the fans is all good for Resident Evil Requiem.
The “nostalgia slop” debate
It wouldn’t be a major release without some friction. While the majority are thrilled, some critics and hardcore fans are calling out the game’s reliance on the past.
- Mashable gave a more tempered review, labelling it “entertaining nostalgia slop.” They argued that while the Rhodes Hill Care Centre is a masterpiece of level design, the game is “overstuffed with Resident Evil 2 nostalgia to the point of repetition.”
- Reddit has been a battlefield regarding Grace’s character. Some players find her “shaky aim and slow sprint” to be a realistic portrayal of horror, while others (particularly in the more vocal subreddits) have complained that her “tactical awareness” feels off for an FBI analyst.
Let’s be honest, we’re all super-critical when new things in a series we love come out. Plus, people like to use online spaces to be negative more often than not (to a degree). So let’s take it all with a pinch of salt.
A mandatory trip to Raccoon City?
If you’ve been following the Resident Evil journey since the 90s, Requiem seems like a definitive full stop. Or at least a very grand exclamation point, on Leon’s Umbrella storyline. It successfully mashes the first-person dread of Resident Evil 7 with the high-octane spectacle of the remakes.
It’s gore-soaked, surprisingly emotional, and technically stunning (especially with path-tracing on PC). Just be prepared for some heavy backtracking and a few “fetch three items” puzzles that feel a little 1998.
Despite being too scared to finish RE7 myself, I know Josh here will be all over it. Resident Evil Requiem has definitely piqued my interest, though. Maybe it’s worth trying to get past my fear?
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