Resident Evil: Requiem - Review: The Nightmare Is Still Alive

Reviewing a new main chapter of Resident Evil is never simple, nor is it trivial. We are talking about a saga that, over almost thirty years, has changed its skin multiple times without ever truly losing its soul, moving from the claustrophobic horror of its origins to spectacular action, and then returning to the more visceral fear of recent years. With Requiem, Capcom manages to do something even more ambitious: not to go in just one direction, but to bring together everything that has worked in the series' past and recent history to build the definitive celebration. Here is the review of Resident Evil: Requiem.

What is Resident Evil: Requiem like?

Resident Evil: Requiem is a huge project, born with the idea of representing a new turning point after the first-person revolution introduced by Resident Evil 7: and perfected with Resident Evil Village, without forgetting the action and cinematic impact that still derives from a watershed chapter like Resident Evil 4. Requiem is therefore not born as a simple sequel or nostalgia operation, but rather as a true declaration of intent: to bring horror back to the center of the gaming experience without sacrificing the spectacle required by new generations and the modern era.

The overall tone of the title appears darker and more melancholic, and from the very first minutes of the game, the impression is that of being thrown into a world marked by the consequences of the biological tragedies seen in previous years, where every past event truly weighs on the characters and atmosphere. The aim is not just to scare, but to make the player feel part of something bigger. It is a return to tension, to constant anxiety, but at the same time to adrenaline-pumping and spectacular action with production and narrative means that completely belong to this generation.

In this chapter, Capcom truly flexes its muscles.

The plot of Resident Evil Requiem: two protagonists, one nightmare 

The narrative of Requiem revolves around an extremely interesting dual structure, built on two very different protagonists. On one side, we find Grace Ashcroft, a completely new face for the series and probably one of the bravest choices made by the developers in recent years. Grace is a simple FBI analyst, not trained for action, unwittingly dragged into something immensely terrifying and bigger than her.

Precisely because of her lack of combat preparation, Grace experiences horror with fear, uncertainty, and continuous improvisation. Every corridor is a threat, every door a doubt. The sections featuring her seem designed to emphasize her vulnerability, transforming even moments of exploration into pure tension.

On the other hand, one of the saga's most iconic faces returns, Leon S. Kennedy, presented here in a very different version than in the past. No longer the young idealist nor the almost invincible hero seen in some previous incarnations, but a man marked by the experiences accumulated over the years. A more reflective, tired Leon, aware of the consequences of his actions, an element that adds a surprisingly human dimension to the narrative.

The story revolves around a new biological threat connected, at least thematically, to past events in the series. Grace seeks answers to events that happened to her and her mother in the past and tries to survive something she doesn't fully understand, while Leon seems to move with the opposite goal: to prevent past mistakes from repeating themselves. The alternation between the two points of view creates a dynamic rhythm that continuously shifts from psychological horror to pure action, always prioritizing emotional impact over simple narrative shock.

A surprisingly mature and excellent direction.

The gameplay of Resident Evil: Requiem, classic and modern united to the nth power

The word that best describes the gameplay of Resident Evil: Requiem is “extreme”.

Every known mechanic is revisited, refined, and pushed to its maximum.

Grace and Leon do not simply represent two different protagonists, but two almost opposite gameplay experiences. With Grace, the pace slows down drastically: resources are scarce, weapons are often improvised, and inventory becomes a constant source of stress. Many situations prioritize escape or intelligent use of the environment, with stealth sections and moments where avoiding a confrontation becomes the most sensible choice. The level design constantly pushes paranoia and tension with flickering lights, distant sounds, overly silent corridors, and doors that seem unwilling to stay closed long enough. All of it is qualitatively impressive.

Leon, on the other hand, introduces a more offensive and action-oriented approach. Weapons increase in both number and firepower, tactical options expand, and encounters become more dynamic and frequent, but the sense of danger always remains high and concrete. Ammunition is never truly abundant, and every combat requires a lot of attention.

The crafting system returns richer than ever. The classic combinations of herbs and chemical resources remain fundamental but are expanded with new mechanics and creation possibilities.

Grace can create improvised tools by exploiting environmental objects to distract enemies or build temporary traps, emphasizing a creative approach to survival.

Leon, on the other hand, accesses advanced equipment modifications, with interchangeable components and special ammunition that profoundly alter the approach to combat.

Character progression is based primarily on exploration and player curiosity, with hidden documents, optional rooms, and alternative paths that reward those who decide to retrace their steps. Backtracking returns as an absolute protagonist, with interconnected maps that change radically over the course of the adventure. Areas considered safe suddenly become hostile, well-designed and executed environmental puzzles open unexpected shortcuts, and every return to an already visited area brings new surprises.

Constant tension, intelligently calibrated jump scares, deep exploration, and intense action sequences coexist perfectly without ever stepping on each other's toes.

It is probably one of the most successful balances ever seen in the Resident Evil saga.

The horror technique in Requiem: wonder on canvas

From a technical standpoint, Requiem is truly breathtaking. The visual quality reaches impressive levels thanks to dynamic lighting that transforms every environment into a visual narrative. Incredible buildings and locations, extremely expressive facial animations, and an artistic direction capable of making even a simple abandoned room memorable, all contribute to creating a constant and astonishing sense of immersion.

The level design is probably one of the best aspects of the entire production. Each area has its own identity and a precise structural logic. There are no filler corridors or anonymous spaces, and every room suggests a story, every shortcut has a purpose and reason for existing. The game manages to guide the player without ever making them feel on rails, always keeping the sense of discovery alive.

The overall voice acting, entirely in Italian, remains at very high levels. Leon delivers an intense and credible performance, perfectly in line with the character's more mature tone. The only slightly less convincing note concerns Grace: it's not an insufficient job, but some emotional lines are less incisive compared to the rest of the cast, especially in moments of greater narrative tension.

As is tradition for the series, however, it is the audio department that truly makes the difference. Playing with headphones becomes almost mandatory. Creaks, distant footsteps, breaths, and ambient noises build continuous tension even when seemingly nothing is happening. The music only enters at the right moments, leaving space for silence and transforming it into a true psychological weapon. It is surgical sound design, as fundamental as the graphics themselves.