Ever since the announcement of Resident Evil 9: Requiem, I’ve been eagerly awaiting the next chapter in the franchise. This is the first mainline entry built entirely for current-generation hardware, and it marks the next phase after Ethan Winters and the outstanding Resident Evil Village.
With the release of the Resident Evil 4 remake just before it, it became clear that Capcom was preparing to reconnect the series’ narrative threads—a direction many fans have been hoping for since the franchise’s powerful revival in Resident Evil 7: Biohazard.
Now that everything is finally revealed, Resident Evil 9: Requiem serves as a bold convergence of past and future: the legacy embodied by Leon S. Kennedy and the next generation represented by Grace Ashcroft. It’s the fusion fans have been waiting for since 2017. But does it live up to the enormous anticipation surrounding it? Here is our full Resident Evil 9: Requiem review.
Story Review (Spoiler-Free)
The narrative unfolds from the perspectives of two protagonists: Grace Ashcroft and Leon Kennedy, each driven by separate objectives that gradually intersect.
Grace is a rookie FBI investigator assigned to examine a series of mysterious deaths in the city of Renwood—an area not officially affected by bioweapon outbreaks. However, the cases suggest a connection to the infamous T-Virus.
Leon, now operating under the BSAA, is also led to Renwood while pursuing Dr. Victor Gideon—a scientist once involved in the original project overseen by Oswell E. Spencer. Gideon seeks to extract a mysterious entity known as “Elpis,” and Leon’s mission is to uncover its true nature and stop the unfolding catastrophe.
The storylines begin separately but soon intertwine tightly, gradually clarifying the broader arc of the franchise. What makes the narrative especially compelling is how it blends the best elements of previous entries: the action-forward intensity of Resident Evil 4 through Leon, and the psychological horror and resource management reminiscent of Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 7 through Grace.
The game delivers several iconic moments that will undoubtedly stay with longtime fans for years. That said, it falls short in resolving many lingering questions that have remained unanswered since Resident Evil 7. Without venturing into spoilers, the overall story is epic, emotionally grounded, and well-balanced—particularly in its portrayal of Leon.
Gameplay
We completed the main story in approximately 12 hours with moderate exploration. The campaign is divided almost evenly between Grace and Leon, though Leon receives slightly more screen time.
Leon’s sections feel like a refined blend of action and horror similar to Resident Evil 4. Grace’s segments lean heavily into survival horror, recalling the tension of Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 7. As a less experienced character, Grace relies on limited weaponry and must prioritize stealth.
The gameplay differences between the two are substantial. Leon has access to a broad and effective arsenal, allowing him to engage enemies directly with relative ease. His melee axe remains available at all times, reinforcing his combat capability.
Grace, on the other hand, is limited to two modest handguns and faces severe ammunition scarcity. Resource management becomes critical, forcing players to conserve bullets for unavoidable encounters. This design evokes classic survival horror principles.
Grace cannot perform melee attacks or kick enemies like Leon, making stealth central to her gameplay. In moments where confrontation becomes necessary, tension escalates dramatically. She also has access to a blood-based toxin injection that explodes zombie heads—a powerful but resource-intensive tool that must be used carefully.
In one of the game’s largest sections, zombies revive unless their heads are destroyed, recalling the Crimson Heads from the original Resident Evil. This mechanic significantly heightens tension, particularly in the semi-open area centered around Grace.
While enemy AI and overall difficulty lean toward the moderate side, strategic enemy placement in key areas stands out as particularly well-designed.
The game introduces a new blood-harvesting mechanic, allowing players to extract blood from zombies to craft ammunition, toxins, and healing items. This system deepens tension, as players must revisit previously cleared areas or infiltrate dangerous zones to gather resources.
Boss encounters are limited in number and generally straightforward. They are enjoyable but lack creative innovation compared to other aspects of the game.
Puzzle design remains consistent with recent entries. Most puzzles are environmental and relatively accessible, focusing on item retrieval and area unlocking. While satisfying, they rarely demand complex lateral thinking.
Graphics and Audio
Visually, Resident Evil 9 is nothing short of stunning. It represents the franchise’s definitive leap into the current generation. Environments are larger, more detailed, and more technically refined than ever before.
The RE Engine reaches new heights here—particularly in lighting, motion physics, blood effects, and facial animation. Character expressions convincingly convey fear, tension, determination, and vulnerability.
The sound design is equally impressive. Environmental audio and zombie variations are meticulously crafted, and the game heavily emphasizes spatial audio. A high-quality headset is strongly recommended to fully experience the layered horror atmosphere.
Performance on PlayStation 5 remained smooth and stable throughout, even during large-scale action sequences.
Resident Evil 9: Requiem Review Final Verdict
Resident Evil 9: Requiem stands as a peak moment for the franchise—bridging action and psychological horror while uniting its past and future through Grace and Leon.
Capcom successfully delivers a dual experience that feels like two complementary games merged seamlessly into one. It’s an ambitious and satisfying effort aimed at pleasing fans across the spectrum.
If you’re a fan of the series, you’re about to experience one of the most expansive and ambitious chapters in Resident Evil history.
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Resident Evil 9: Requiem Review
Ever since the announcement of RE9, we’ve been eagerly awaiting the next chapter in the franchise. Here is our Resident Evil 9: Requiem review.
9.5
Pros
- Strong narrative and legendary characters
- Brilliant level design—the largest in the franchise’s history
- Excellent balance between Grace’s horror focus and Leon’s action-driven gameplay
- Stunning visuals and advanced physics detail
- Rewarding and enjoyable exploration, especially in the semi-open area
Cons
- Some unresolved story elements dating back to RE7
- Puzzles are simpler than expected
- Action elements occasionally overshadow horror
- Boss encounters are relatively easy
