Resident Evil Requiem arrives on PlayStation 5 not as a mere continuation of Capcom’s long-running horror saga but as a statement piece – one that attempts to reconcile the franchise’s distinct pasts and push its survival-horror DNA into a new era. At its core, Requiem is a dual-threaded narrative experience: one strand sees FBI analyst Grace Ashcroft unravel a personal mystery in the shadows of an abandoned medical facility, while the other returns Leon S. Kennedy to the ruins of Raccoon City to confront bioterrorism’s bitter legacies. This structural choice pays dividends when the disparate threads intersect in mood and theme, though the balance isn’t always flawless. Some plot beats feel over-wrought or too reliant on franchise lore for emotional weight, and pacing varies between tense investigation and action-heavy set pieces.
What Requiem gets consistently right is atmosphere and narrative momentum. There’s a palpable tension in the early hours – especially during Grace’s exploration of the decrepit hospital – that evokes classic Resident Evil dread. The writing leans into psychological unease as much as grotesque horror, rewarding players who savour environmental storytelling and slow reveals. Leon’s arc, while entertaining in its own right, sometimes diverges from the intimacy of Grace’s sections, leaning heavier into combat and spectacle in ways that can undercut the narrative’s emotional payoff even if the change of pace is a welcome one.
That duality extends into the gameplay mechanics themselves. Requiem doesn’t just switch protagonists – it switches perspectives and pacing. Grace’s segments prioritize exploration, clues, limited resources, and careful threat management, echoing survival-horror traditions. When the game transitions into Leon’s sequences, the pace shifts toward third-person action complete with more abundant firepower and frenetic encounters. Controls across both styles feel responsive, and the freedom to toggle between first and third-person views allows players to tailor encounters to their comfort level, though some players may find the transition between playstyles momentarily jarring.
The combat and puzzles further reflect Requiem’s hybrid identity. The enemy design is frequently disturbing – several encounters linger in memory because of their grotesque animation and sound design – and ammunition scarcity ensures that fights feel consequential rather than routine. Puzzles are rarely fiendish but interlock smoothly with exploration, providing a satisfying rhythm of discovery, danger, and reward. There are moments, especially later in the campaign, where action overshadows horror, which undercuts the tension a bit; yet, the mixture still feels engaging overall for fans who enjoy both ends of the Resident Evil gameplay spectrum.
On the technical front, Requiem is a visually striking game on PS5. The RE Engine continues to impress with its rendering of light and texture, imbuing environments with a grim realism that elevates every decrepit hallway and blood-slicked room. Capcom’s work on facial animation and environmental detail enhances immersion, whether it’s the fear etched into Grace’s expression or the oppressive gloom of a collapsing cityscape. Audio design complements this visual fidelity, from subtle distant groans to sudden, jarring explosions of sound that keep players on edge.
However, technical excellence is not without practical performance caveats. On PS5, even without hardware-intensive toggles like path tracing, the sheer ambition of the visuals means choices must be made between fidelity and framerate – a balancing act that won’t surprise seasoned console players but is worth noting for those sensitive to performance swings. Overall, though, the implementation feels polished and stable, supporting the game’s atmosphere rather than detracting from it, and we’re hoping it’s a stepping stone for PSVR2 support.
Resident Evil Requiem blends horror and action with more consistency than several recent predecessors, but it isn’t without its story and structural flaws. Some narrative arcs feel overlong or unfocused, and the tonal shift between protagonists doesn’t always land as cohesively as it should. But Capcom’s willingness to iterate on its formula – embracing both old-school dread and modern spectacle – results in an experience that is both familiar and refreshingly ambitious.
In sum, Resident Evil Requiem on PS5 is a rewarding survival-horror experience that will likely satisfy long-time fans and newcomers alike. It isn’t flawless, and moments of uneven pacing and narrative excess temper some of its achievements, yet its memorable scares, compelling dual perspectives, and technical craft make it a standout entry in the franchise’s celebrated legacy, and an absolute must-play for fans of the genre.
Score: 9.0/10
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