I’m a huge Resident Evil fan, but with 30 years of games under the franchise’s belt, even super fans like me must admit there have been a few missteps. One such stumble was the maximalist Resident Evil 6, which featured four campaigns that had more in common with a superhero movie than a horror game. So, I was nervous that Resident Evil Requiem (aka Resident Evil 9) might make the same shark-jumping mistake. In a series full of over-the-top moments, would the promise of two radically different playstyles from the dual protagonists—FBI analyst Grace Ashcroft and federal agent Leon S. Kennedy—be too jarring? In trying to please everyone, would Requiem be a master of none?
My concerns were misplaced. After spending three hours with the near-final build of Resident Evil Requiem, I walked away confident that it’s shaping up to be one of the best Resident Evil titles.
Grace Puts a Fun Spin on Classic RE2 Gameplay
If you’ve been following our Resident Evil Requiem coverage, you know that the new game is led by newcomer Grace Ashcroft and series veteran Leon S. Kennedy. Dual heroes aren’t new to the series, but what is new is just how they play. Leon’s gameplay draws on the action-focused Resident Evil 4 remake. Grace, however, plays differently.
(Credit: Capcom)
During last year’s hands-off, Summer Game Fest demo, Grace was mostly defenseless, sneaking around enemies in a tense, cat-and-mouse dynamic. But now? Grace can handle her own, even if she can’t handle as much as Leon. Her gameplay heavily mirrors the Resident Evil 2 remake’s slower-paced gameplay. She’s far more frail than Leon and Claire ever were, so you must rely on stealth to get the drop on enemies. Grace’s limited combat options and inventory can easily lead to her brain being splattered against the wall. Although she may stumble over her words and run more often than she fights, Grace isn’t helpless. She can wield a gun, craft ammo from scrap, and tote a special weapon that siphons the monsters’ infected blood to craft injectors that instantly kill enemies.
Grace’s gameplay in a mysterious facility reminded me of navigating the Raccoon City Police Department in Resident Evil 2. As I explored, I came across grizzly scene after grizzly scene, including disgusting kitchens, ballrooms bloodied from zombie attacks, and an operating table that I’m sure was not up to code. Resident Evil: Requiem is not short on blood, guts, and scares. It didn’t take long for me to realize that this facility’s main goal was experimentation, not treatment. As for why, well, I can’t discuss the story yet.
Get Ready for Resident Evil Requiem With These Top-Rated RE Games
What I can discuss are the enemies. This time around, the infected are closer to Racoon City’s zombies than the intelligent Ganados in Resident Evil 4. Still, they have more smarts than the typical shambling corpses, reacting to light and sound—and some have specialized attacks. One enemy I encountered let out an ear-splitting screech that stunned Grace, while another began stalking Grace once I flipped a light switch. In a nice touch, the creatures mutter under their breath, seemingly referencing things they were doing before they were zombified.
I especially liked the bigger zombies that roamed the halls. They didn’t stalk you around the facility like Lady Dimitrescu or Mr. X; instead, they usually patrolled a specific map section. In one instance, I tried creeping behind a hulking zombie chopping meat, but it spotted me and began to pursue after I pushed a kitchen island out of the way to make a path. In another area, I was hunted by a monster that gave up the chase when it couldn’t squeeze through a door frame.
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(Credit: Capcom)
Moments like this made up most of Grace’s demo, which left me on pins and needles as I tried to navigate the game’s many puzzles. If you thought Requiem would be light on the series’ classic puzzle-solving, you needn’t worry. I poured corrosives onto locks, examined photos to unlock puzzle boxes, and discovered key cards to enter new areas. There’s also gear that gives Grace upgrades, such as increased health and inventory space. Likewise, found coins let me buy other upgrades, like an increased injector capacity. Alas, there’s no merchant in Requiem like in Resident Evil 4 or Resident Evil 8.
(Credit: Capcom)
Grace, as a character, might be a grower for some people. For me, she was just a tad too cowardly and felt a little floaty when she ran. Still, after playing the demo, I’m more than excited to see where her story goes and how it connects to the original games. Leon, on the other hand…
Leon Kicks Ass With John Wick-Style Flair
The Resident Evil Requiem demo included a short section featuring an aged Leon Kennedy. He’s still handsome, still rocking that boy band side part, and still moving like John Wick. Age hasn’t slowed Leon down at all; in fact, he feels even faster now. In terms of gameplay, he trades a knife for a hatchet and travels with a magnum that blows away ghouls in one hit. In short, Leon’s a badass.
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The demo began with Leon getting rushed, in trademark fashion, by an enemy wielding a chainsaw. I quickly blocked the chainsaw with the hatchet and dispatched the enemies with a flurry of bullets, skull-exploding curb stomps. Before I knew it, the battle was over. Still, I gleaned that Resident Evil 9 Leon is akin to Resident Evil 4 Leon, but with a shot of adrenaline.
(Credit: Capcom)
In contrast to Grace’s traditional Resident Evil-style gameplay, Leon’s gameplay is all gas, no brakes. In his second demo section, I fought a massive monster that I could only describe as a giant, mutated baby. Armed with a shotgun, I fought through a small room full of destructible walls, bobbing and weaving as the monster made like a bull in a China shop and smashed everything.
In this section, I travelled through an area that I had previously explored as Grace. I really liked seeing the changes I made to the area during my first run. Everything from opened safes to dead zombies was still where I left them. And playing as Leon, I opened chests that Grace could not. This reminded me of Resident Evil 2’s crisscrossing campaign, where the protagonists, Claire and Leon, were always just a step behind each other.
Resident Evil Requiem Arrives Feb. 27
Capcom has had a tremendous track record over the last few years, releasing high-quality game after high-quality game (we don’t talk about Exoprimal, OK?). This year is no different, with both Onimusha: Way of the Sword and Pragmata coming soon. But Resident Evil Requiem might be the most exciting of all those releases, as it borrows elements from two of the best remakes ever published to craft a new title. I’m eager to experience more of Resident Evil’s brand of action-horror when Resident Evil Requiem releases on Feb. 27 for PC, PlayStation 5, Switch 2, and Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S. Keep an eye on PCMag for our full review.
About Our Expert
Zackery Cuevas
Writer, Hardware
Experience
I’m a PCMag reviewer and ISF-certified TV calibrator focused on computer accessories, laptops, gaming monitors, and video games. I’ve been writing, playing, and complaining about games for as long as I remember, but it wasn’t until recently that I’ve been able to shout my opinions directly at a larger audience. My work has appeared on iMore, Windows Central, Android Central, and TWICE, and I have a diverse portfolio of editing work under my belt from my time spent at Scholastic and Oxford University Press. I also have a few book-author credits under my belt—I’ve contributed to the sci-fi anthology Under New Suns, and I’ve even written a Peppa Pig book.
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