The previous two entries in the mainline Resident Evil series deviated from what the fans knew. We were playing as new character Ethan Winters. Despite having a whole new protagonist, the core themes and ideas at the heart of the franchise were more present than they had been in a while. That’s not to say it didn’t tie in with the story. Far from it, however, it was exciting to see the world through fresh eyes. Resident Evil Requiem, the ninth tale in the almost 30-year old saga, takes us right back to where it all began.
With multiple call backs, references, and straight-up acknowledgments of what has come before, Resident Evil Requiem does much more than please long-term fans. It reminds us of why Leon S. Kennedy is so loved while at the same time introducing another new protagonist in the form of Grace Ashcroft. Not only that, it seamlessly blends together different perspectives and styles to create a strong story touching on the themes of regret and redemption, as well as providing some of the best horror the series has seen before.
You start off as Grace Ashcroft, daughter of journalist Alyssa from Resident Evil Outbreak. Your boss at the FBI has sent you to an abandoned hotel to investigate a mysterious death. Upon arriving, you encounter Victor Gideon, a surviving member from Umbrella. Why is he there, and why are you so important to him? Two questions that turn into more, and as the story progresses, you understand what role you play in his grand scheme. Gideon is only a small part of it, though. While you do find out your role in everything, there’s so much more at stake.
Requiem utilises the first-person perspective from RE7 and Village. While focusing more on the vulnerability Ethan felt at the Baker residence, Grace has limited resources and a small inventory. Knowing when to fire a bullet or use a makeshift knife is a decision you constantly make. She’s an FBI analyst, not a trained soldier. Encountering zombies and other monstrosities is completely new to Grace. That’s where the fear comes in. Not only do you walk around every corner holding your breath, the visuals and audio help to create a terrifying atmosphere.
Capcom has nailed the tension. Being stalked by two distinct abominations never gets easier. She can’t fight them, only outsmart them. Staying in darkness; hiding behind walls an in quiet spaces; running for your life and sneaking silently. Not only do you have to avoid bigger and scarier creatures, it’s the zombies that are just as terrifying. The lighting is exceptional in Resident Evil Requiem, but it’s also used to your advantage. The audio is another highlight of your time with Grace. Hearing zombies ‘talk’ is terrifying, remembering their past lives while trapped in death does something to you.
I remember hearing one say ‘I’m sorry’ as they tried to kill me. Humanising makes it much worse. A woman singing in the bar; a guy turning lights on and off at the switch. It’s as if they don’t know they’re dead. Capcom has evolved the zombie to be much more than a mindless body of flesh for you to shoot at. Another element of Grace’s gameplay that feels like the earlier games is the labyrinthian corridors and puzzles. Upgrading your ID tag to unlock higher level doors; solving layered puzzles reminiscent of the statues in previous games; and simply locating door keys all feel familiar. You feel helpless. Even when you start to find your rhythm, Requiem pulls the rug from underneath you.
Another fantastic (and downright ridiculous) feature, is Grace’s ability to use infected blood to craft. Ammo, health, bombs, and more. As you progress, new items can be grafted. These are a constant source of aid to Grace, always sucking up that blood with your syringe to make fundamental items to keep you alive. Despite having the option to harvest blood, it’s you who decides whether it’s worth wasting bullets to down an enemy or not. Sometimes the only option is to run, but a lack of bullets could mean the next area is tougher than the last.
As good as Grace is, playing as Leon is a dream. It takes the action from Resident Evil 4 Remake and makes it even cooler. He has a much larger inventory and has zero fear. Wandering into a room full of zombies as Grace is terrifying, but with Leon it’s like whack-a-mole at the fair. Reqiuem switches to a third-person perspective and gives you much more freedom to blow shit up with rifles, shotguns, pistols, and other weapons and explosives. Not only does Leon have a hefty arsenal, he can also beat zombies up with his bare hands and quick feet. Shooting a zombie in the leg drops them to the floor, allowing you to kick them in their head. There are some great animations for these CQC moments, making Leon so much fun to play as.
His sections are much more intense, but that fear as Grace slips away in favour of holding your nerve and fighting off enemies in style. Leon will encounter enemies Grace met. The difference is you’ll blow them to hell with a well-placed shotgun blast to the face. The chainsaw is a new tool Leon gets to wield at certain moments, and it’s something you shouldn’t sleep on. Combat is fluid. Whether fighting a handful of zombies or one of Requiem’s bosses, I never felt like I couldn’t win. If you loved Leon before, you’ll want his children now.
Another great element of playing as Leon is the ability to unlock new weapons and upgrades through killing enemies. It doesn’t unlock until you arrive in Raccoon City, but the moment it does, it opens up Leon’s gameplay significantly. One thing Capcom gets right is the balancing between Grace and Leon’s screen time. Grace doesn’t feel like a side character to Leon, but Leon doesn’t feel like a supporting character either. They are both integral to the story, and you’ll get to play for longer with both characters at different stages.
For those with concerns about the story, I loved it. Sure, there are some things I wished I had seen given the return to Raccoon City, but Capcom provides plenty of awesome moments for long-time fans. I’ve been playing since 1996, and as someone who holds the series close to my heart, I was left in awe of what the developers have done. Some moments aren’t clearly explained, and I was a little disappointed with a couple of things, but overall it more than does the series justice. It dives into the past with fresh perspective, while asking deep questions you might not expect.
Resident Evil Requiem does wonders with the visuals and sound to bring the horror to new levels. Grace is a fantastic character, and her moments in first-person are sublime. Leon is equally wonderful, with action sequences that rival and possibly surpass what’s come before. The story is somewhat predictable in places, yet there’re still some incredible reveals along the way. The hype is more than justified if you’ve been with the series from day one. However, recent fans will also find it fascinating what direction Capcom has gone in with this highly anticipated sequel.
