Resident Evil Requiem: A Gothic Love Letter to Survival Horror

Thirty years of Resident Evil has left a legacy as complex and layered as the viral outbreaks that define its universe. When Capcom first revealed Resident Evil Requiem, showing us an older, weathered Leon Kennedy returning to the iconic police station where his journey began, there was an undeniable undercurrent of melancholy. It felt like a potential swansong—a reflective, perhaps even mournful, farewell to a franchise that has defined survival horror for three decades. But Requiem isn’t a requiem at all. Instead, it’s a vibrant, chaotic celebration—a raucous party in honor of the rocket launchers, typewriters, and unforgettable moments that have made Resident Evil an enduring cultural touchstone.

Leon may be showing his age, but Capcom is as energized, devious, and gleefully absurd as ever.

The game opens with a clever narrative pivot: FBI analyst Grace Ashcroft, a desk-bound investigator more accustomed to paperwork than pulse-pounding peril. Tasked with examining a crime scene at a gutted hotel—a place haunted by her own traumatic memories—Grace is woefully unprepared for the horrors that await. Armed with little more than a flashlight and a pistol with scarce ammunition, her journey is a masterclass in disempowerment and dread. Her first-person perspective immerses players in a claustrophobic, nerve-wracking experience that feels like a love letter to the series’ survival horror roots.

In stark contrast, Leon Kennedy returns in third-person glory, his hardened exterior and arsenal of weapons making him feel almost comically overpowered at first. But Requiem quickly subverts expectations, throwing Leon into desperate, back-against-the-wall firefights that demand every bullet and every ounce of skill. His ability to dispatch zombies with style—severing fingers with a hatchet or spearing bloodshot eyes with rebar—cements his status as the series’ ultimate action hero. Yet, even Leon isn’t invincible, and the game’s relentless pacing ensures that players are always on edge.

Grace’s storyline takes center stage in the game’s most terrifying sequences, as she navigates a sprawling, labyrinthine care facility stalked by grotesque, intelligent creatures. These enemies aren’t just mindless drones; they sniff the air for your presence and let out shrill, taunting wails designed to provoke panic. The game’s design is a triumph, blending the series’ signature puzzle-box environments with heart-pounding tension. Every decision—whether to burn through precious ammunition or risk a desperate sprint—feels weighty and consequential.

Yes, Resident Evil Requiem is scary. Occasionally, it even dares to take itself seriously. The voice acting is a standout, with Grace and Leon’s performers delivering emotional depth to scenes that might otherwise crumble under scrutiny. Yet, for all its Evil Dead-esque camp and over-the-top action, Requiem is a game with heart. It’s a testament to Capcom’s ability to balance horror and humor, dread and delight.

That said, the game isn’t without its flaws. The larger Resident Evil narrative, stretched thin over three decades, occasionally stumbles under the weight of its own lore. A few shameless plot contrivances and product placements (including brand deals with Porsche and Hamilton watches) feel jarring, pulling players out of the experience. The final boss fights, too, are a letdown—a damp squib after a series of clever set-pieces and tense encounters. But these missteps are easy to forgive in a game that otherwise feels so vital and alive.

Capcom has been on a hot streak for years, and Resident Evil Requiem is no exception. It’s a game that honors its past while boldly pushing forward, proving that even after 30 years, Resident Evil still has plenty of life left in it.

Release Date: February 27
Price: £59.99

Tags: Resident Evil, survival horror, Leon Kennedy, Grace Ashcroft, Capcom, zombies, horror, action, gaming, 2024 releases, retro gaming, nostalgia, viral gaming moments, game review, must-play

Viral Sentences:

• “Leon Kennedy is back, and he’s still dropping cheesy one-liners while blasting zombies.”
• “Grace Ashcroft’s journey is a masterclass in survival horror tension.”
• “Resident Evil Requiem proves that even after 30 years, the series still has plenty of life left.”
• “Capcom’s latest is a raucous celebration of everything that makes Resident Evil unforgettable.”
• “From typewriter nostalgia to rocket launcher chaos, Requiem is a love letter to fans.”
• “The game’s labyrinthine care facility is a terrifying puzzle box you won’t forget.”
• “Leon may be older, but he’s still the ultimate action hero.”
• “Grace’s first-person perspective is a fresh, nerve-wracking take on survival horror.”
• “Requiem’s blend of horror and humor is pure Evil Dead energy.”
• “Capcom proves once again why Resident Evil is a genre-defining franchise.”

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