The Resident Evil series has always tried to balance horror and action gameplay. Sometimes the series focused more on horror, while other times it leaned heavily toward action. Over the years, this balance has been difficult for the developers to maintain.
Resident Evil Requiem, the ninth main game in the series, takes a different approach. Instead of mixing horror and action into one style, the game presents two different experiences at the same time. Each part focuses on a specific style of gameplay, which makes the overall experience feel fresh while still staying true to the franchise.
The result is a game that feels almost like two separate stories running together, but both parts manage to capture what fans love about Resident Evil.
Two Different Stories in One Game
One of the most interesting features of Resident Evil Requiem is how the story follows two different characters. Each character represents a different style of gameplay.
The first character is Grace Ashcroft, an FBI analyst who finds herself trapped in a dangerous situation. Her story focuses heavily on horror elements. Grace is not a trained soldier or action hero, so she must survive by moving carefully, hiding from enemies, and conserving limited resources.
Her gameplay feels similar to Resident Evil 7, where players must explore dark locations, solve puzzles, and avoid powerful enemies.
The second main character is Leon S. Kennedy, a familiar face for longtime fans of the series. Leon’s sections are more focused on action. His gameplay is fast and intense, similar to Resident Evil 4, where players must fight large groups of enemies and survive chaotic battles.
This contrast between the two characters creates variety throughout the game.
Grace Ashcroft Brings Back Classic Horror
Grace’s story takes place inside a mysterious hospital that also hides a secret research facility. The location is filled with infected patients and staff who have turned into zombies.
Because Grace is not physically strong, players must carefully manage weapons, ammunition, and health supplies. Exploring the building becomes a tense experience because danger can appear at any moment.
One unique feature in the game is how zombies behave. Some zombies still show traces of their previous lives. For example, a zombie maid may continue cleaning a room or a zombie chef may still work in the kitchen.
These small details make the enemies feel more realistic and unpredictable.
Another terrifying mechanic involves enemies called blisterheads. Sometimes zombies that appear dead can suddenly transform into stronger and faster versions. This creates constant tension, especially when players walk past bodies they have already defeated.
Crafting System Adds Strategy
Resident Evil Requiem also introduces a crafting system that uses infected blood. Players can collect blood from enemies or the environment and use it to craft useful items.
These items include ammunition, healing tools, and a special syringe that can instantly destroy zombies. However, the materials required for crafting are limited, which means players must think carefully before creating anything.
Every decision matters because using resources for one item may prevent you from creating something else later.
This system increases the sense of survival and makes each encounter more meaningful.
Leon Brings Intense Action
While Grace’s sections focus on survival horror, Leon’s gameplay delivers intense combat. He faces large groups of enemies and must use weapons, movement, and quick reactions to survive.
Leon can also interact with the environment during battles. Players can pick up objects, use explosive items, or even grab weapons dropped by enemies.
One exciting feature is Leon’s hatchet weapon. It allows players to finish off enemies quickly and also block attacks through a parry system. This ability adds a new layer of strategy during combat.
Even though Leon is a powerful character, the game still keeps the tension high by surrounding him with multiple enemies at once.
Return to Raccoon City
Another major highlight of the game is the return to Raccoon City. Longtime fans will recognize several famous locations, including the police department building.
The environment looks very similar to the version seen in the Resident Evil 2 remake. This creates a strong feeling of nostalgia while also giving players a chance to explore familiar areas from a new perspective.
However, some players may feel that the game relies too heavily on past ideas rather than introducing completely new concepts.
Puzzles Are Simpler This Time
One small weakness in Resident Evil Requiem is its puzzle system. In earlier Resident Evil games, puzzles often required careful thinking and exploration.
In this game, many puzzles are much easier to solve. In some cases, the solution is revealed almost immediately after discovering the puzzle.
While this keeps the gameplay moving quickly, some players may miss the complex challenges that older games offered.
A Strong Experience for Resident Evil Fans
Despite a few small issues, Resident Evil Requiem delivers a very strong experience. The combination of horror and action works well because both styles are given their own space to shine.
Grace’s story provides tense survival gameplay, while Leon’s sections deliver fast and exciting combat. Together they create a complete Resident Evil experience.
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