Capcom Redefines Horror Games With Resident Evil Requiem

Japanese video game company Capcom released Resident Evil Requiem on Feb. 27, the latest installment in their critically acclaimed horror franchise. 

In the first five days of its release, it sold more than five million copies, becoming the fastest-selling entry in the series. 

The game offers a fusion of survival and action horror between its two main protagonists—series lead Leon Kennedy and FBI intelligence analyst Grace Ashcroft.  

Players are provided with differing styles of gameplay, featuring both dark atmospheric horror and fast-paced action.

Ashcroft puts an emphasis on survival horror in her segments. Players must use the few resources scattered sparingly, avoid grotesque enemies and walk through dimly-lit halls. 

Playing as Grace, makes you tense and cautious of where you are going. These sections feel as frightening as Resident Evil 7: Biohazard, which was released in 2017. 

Leon Kennedy, one of the franchise’s most beloved characters, makes a triumphant return. His gameplay has a bigger emphasis on the action horror that made past entries such as Resident Evil 4 so beloved.

His gameplay switches from gripping horror to action with style over substance. It provides a temporary breather after the game’s most horrifying segments. 

Throughout the story, Leon revisits locations from his past days as a Raccoon City rookie police officer in Resident Evil 2. He is reminded of his traumatic experiences and feels intense grief for those who’ve died.

One of the funniest parts of playing as Leon is being able to mindlessly maul down enemies. The survival elements of horror are toned down, with more emphasis on facing waves of enemies and larger-than-life boss fights. 

Capcom took the time to allow players to play the game in different perspectives. The game recommends players to complete Grace’s sections in first person and Leon’s in third person. Cutscenes in the game also match the perspective that the player chooses. 

This adds customization to the experience and gives players more options on both sides of the playthrough.

The level of attention to detail in Requiem is outstanding. Despite all the changes, the game still manages to make cutscenes and gameplay feel smooth.

Little details such as how Grace and Leon hold their weapons build on the immersion of the game. There are also references to previous titles, which adds to the continuity of the series.

Both styles of survival and action horror between the two protagonists blend well in Resident Evil Requiem. They interconnect through the story and bring out the best of both tones.

The game’s main theme is requiem, which is a song for the dead. It symbolizes a farewell to the series’ past and a farewell to the guilt haunting both Grace and Leon.

Resident Evil Requiem takes what made the series so acclaimed in prior entries and sharpens it for modern players to create an unforgettable horror experience.