Copyright-free image courtesy of dearplayers.com
Written by Jerry Chavez
Like life itself, the timeline of the Resident Evil franchise continues to move forward. After eight entries, Capcom returns with the ninth installment in the series, “Resident Evil: Requiem.” The game introduces a new protagonist, FBI agent Grace Ashcroft, alongside longtime series character Leon S. Kennedy. While Capcom previously introduced Ethan Winters as a new lead character, Grace brings a different perspective to the franchise’s survival horror formula.
Screenshot of Capcom’s Resident Evil: Requiem
Screenshot by Jerry Chavez
The game begins with Grace as the playable character before introducing Leon early in the story. The two characters differ significantly in gameplay style and ability. Grace lacks Leon’s field experience and access to advanced weaponry, a contrast that becomes central to the story. Even though she technically isn’t as strong as Leon, throughout the game she proves herself capable in dispatching threats with stealth, various items that can be thrown at zombies, and a limited cache of weapons and ammo. Leon S. Kennedy comes into play not long after Grace is introduced, and the game switches perspectives throughout the adventure.
Screenshot of Capcom’s Resident Evil: Requiem
Screenshot by Jerry Chavez
When Leon’s perspective enters the fray, we get to see the type of zombies at play in this entry. In Resident Evil Requiem, the zombies are self aware, in pain, and apologetic. This dynamic adds a layer of horror and tragedy to the monsters. The villain, Victor Gideon, essentially commits an act of bioterrorism and turns several civilians into zombies before Leon’s very eyes. The passage of time grows apparent, as we see that Leon has aged quite a bit since gamers last saw him, he is theorized to be in either his late 40s or early 50s. Even for his age, however, Leon looks great, and his zombie butt-kicking abilities remain intact. The game follows the struggles of Leon and Grace as they investigate the current zombie outbreak throughout various locales.
Screenshot of Capcom’s Resident Evil: Requiem
Screenshot by Jerry Chavez
The gameplay in this entry is solid, with first-person and third-person options for perspective. Unfortunately, the game makes you enter the main menu to switch perspective, when a simple button press could have worked. Leon and Grace have different weapons and items at their disposal, as well as different movement and melee animations. With Leon, after a few shots of his gun, you can do a melee attack, which consists of a well placed roundhouse kick to a zombie’s skull. Grace, by contrast, relies on weaker defensive moves and stealth tactics.
Screenshot of Capcom’s Resident Evil: Requiem
Screenshot by Jerry Chavez
You can also pick up items and weapons off the ground, even if a zombie was using them. The game will take you to various locales in order to solve puzzles and navigate your way through the hoards of zombies in mazelike structures, and the game will task you with finding key items to progress. The player will encounter various memorable characters on their journey, from a grumpy chef zombie, to a beautiful singing zombie with screeching powers. The enemies in the game are filled to the brim with frightful personality.
Screenshot of Capcom’s Resident Evil: Requiem
Screenshot by Jerry Chavez
Those familiar with Capcom’s work may notice the extensive use of the Resident Evil engine that was specifically developed for in-house projects. The engine is highly versatile in execution and scale, but one may notice that other games using the engine look strikingly similar in art style. This is nothing more than a nitpick, as the Resident Evil engine feels right at home in “Requiem.”
“Resident Evil Requiem” treads familiar ground while delivering something new. While new players do not have to play any previous entry to enjoy the game and understand what is going on, knowing about the lore and characters does help enhance the scenario. With fantastic gameplay and dynamic cinematic storytelling, “Resident Evil Requiem,” delivers hours of entertainment for survival horror fans.
Final Score
Graphics – 10/10
The RE Engine delivers highly detailed textures and environments designed specifically for Resident Evil titles
Sound – 10/10
The sound design delivers strong vocal performances and tense sound effects. Music is used sparsely but adds to the tension in the atmosphere.
Gameplay: 10/10
Combat mechanics vary between characters and support both action and stealth gameplay. Puzzles and exploration are at the core of survival.
Overall: 10/10
“Resident Evil: Requiem” delivers a strong survival horror experience for longtime fans and newcomers alike.
