Resident Evil Requiem is the latest iteration in the Resident Evil franchise and one of the highest-rated entries in the series. As a matter of fact, it is even the best user-rated game of all time according to Metacritic. So, what exactly makes this game so special, and is it truly as good as people claim it to be?
As a long time fan of the Resident Evil series, I have played the game thoroughly several times, including on Insanity mode. Here’s my take.
Resident Evil Requiem does not follow the previous storylines exactly, but it does loosely build upon the events of Resident Evil 2. Because of this, even players who have not experienced every entry in the franchise can still jump in and enjoy the game.
Some of the aspects I enjoyed the most were Grace’s sections, which genuinely terrified me, the environmental design, and Leon’s aura farming moments that made his segments feel incredibly stylish and satisfying.
Exploring Locations Both Scary and Puzzling
The game takes place across several different locations. Many players expected the story to be set purely 30 years after the destruction of Raccoon City, but there’s a lot more variety than that. Players also explore the Wrenwood Hotel and the Care Center.
The Care Center is the largest section of the game and easily one of the most exciting areas ever made for fans of survival horror. The atmosphere there feels tense and oppressive, which perfectly captures the classic Resident Evil tone. On the other hand, players who enjoy the more action horror style of Resident Evil will absolutely appreciate the return to the destroyed ruins of Raccoon City.
Personally, I enjoyed the setting quite a lot, especially the ruined version of Raccoon City. The post-apocalyptic atmosphere works extremely well here and adds a strong sense of scale and tragedy to the world.
Meanwhile, the Care Center introduces some of the most confusing puzzles in the game. These puzzles are clearly designed to challenge players, and I would not be surprised if some players become frustrated while trying to solve them.
The story itself is solid and mostly aligns with what many players may have expected. That said, the ending takes a direction that few people likely predicted. In this regard, Capcom really delivered something memorable.
Survival Horror or Action Horror? You’re Covered
Resident Evil Requiem is not purely a survival horror experience. It also embraces action horror elements, creating a blend that appeals to a wider audience. As someone who enjoys both styles, the shift between survival horror and action-oriented gameplay kept the experience exciting.
Leon’s combat system feels like a natural evolution of what we saw in Resident Evil 4. His movement, shooting, and overall combat flow feel smoother and more stylish than ever.
During my first playthrough, I found myself blasting through zombies without worrying too much about ammunition. That approach was fun for casual play, although I would strongly advise against doing that on Insanity mode.
Overall, Leon’s gameplay segments feel polished and incredibly satisfying.
Grace’s sections, however, were the highlight for me. Her segments lean much more heavily into horror, and the constant tension keeps players on edge. The stalker monster in these areas is well designed, and the enemies inside the Care Center contribute to an atmosphere of persistent dread.
Sneaking through dark corridors while trying to avoid detection creates a constant sense of panic. When you are eventually forced to fight back, the sudden chaos makes those moments that much more intense.
Overall, I enjoyed the gameplay so much that I ended up replaying the game several times.
The Beauty Within the Ruins
Visually, the game is absolutely stunning. Nearly every location looks incredibly detailed and atmospheric. The visuals and environmental design work together perfectly to create an immersive horror experience.
The ruins of Raccoon City are especially impressive. The destroyed buildings, abandoned streets, and eerie underground areas all contribute to the game’s haunting atmosphere.
I honestly have very few complaints when it comes to the graphics or the atmosphere. I may be slightly biased because I love post-apocalyptic settings, but even with that in mind, the execution here is excellent.
Capcom clearly put a lot of effort into making every location feel believable and visually memorable.
Optimized Zombie Killing
The game runs on the RE Engine and does not feature an open world structure. Because of this, the overall optimization is extremely solid.
Across platforms such as the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and Series S, performance remains consistently stable. Most PC configurations also handle the game quite well.
Even players with less powerful PCs can run the game on lower settings with upscaling enabled, which makes it accessible to a wider audience.
Console players in particular will likely experience very few technical issues during gameplay. The optimization surprised many players and even technical analysts who expected a heavier performance cost from the visuals.
That said, enabling ray tracing at maximum 4K settings can still cause occasional performance drops depending on the hardware.
Verdict
In my opinion, this is the most complete Resident Evil game so far. Before this, my favorites in the series were Resident Evil 2, Resident Evil 4, and Resident Evil 7. However, the latest Resident Evil combines the best elements of those games and delivers an even better overall experience.
Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
Country of Origin: Japan
Release Date: 27 February 2026 (Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S|X, and Switch 2)
This review of Resident Evil Requiem is based on a copy we purchased.
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Obaid Ur Rehman is a lifelong gaming enthusiast with a deep passion for writing about video games. While he enjoys all genres, he specializes in RPGs and Soulslike titles. After tackling some of the toughest bosses, he often unwinds with a cozy game to relax. Outside of gaming, Obaid enjoys watching anime, bingeing TV series, or staying active at the gym.
