Resident Evil Requiem is a video game that looks back on the past. After about 30 years as a franchise, resident evil It has defined and redefined what a horror game is many times over. The latest release, released today on PS5, PC, Xbox, and (shockingly) Nintendo Switch 2, speaks to that heritage every step of the way. But whether it’s refreshing enough is in the eye of the beholder. As someone who has joined the company since resident evil 4 On the Nintendo Wii, that was enough for me.

requiemThe ninth mainline title in the survival horror series, while thoroughly polished, it feels more like a sequel to the franchise’s successful remake series than a 2021 sequel. Resident Evil Village. Instead of creating a new icon, village I succeeded in spades, requiem It relies on fan-favorite monsters and callbacks to old characters. This makes for a really fun ride with a mix of action and action. horror Similarly, it ties up long-dangling plot threads along the way. Just to be clear, if you’ve never played it before, resident evil This game is probably not a good place to start. However, if you got this series in 2019, resident evil 2 (And after that, I loved the remake of) 3 and 4), requiem You’ll feel like you’ve come home.

The roughly 10-18 hour campaign switches between two main characters: newcomer Grace Ashcroft and not-so-newbie cop Leon S. Kennedy. The action begins when Grace, a budding FBI agent, is assigned to investigate a series of bizarre murders at the Lenwood Hotel, the scene of her mother’s death. Before her death, reporter Alyssa Ashcroft was originally a character in the PS2 spin-off Resident Evil: Outbreakleaving his daughter with an important clue about the truth behind Umbrella, the corporation responsible for the outbreak that started this whole mess nine games ago. Grace is kidnapped at the hotel by Dr. Victor Gideon, the game’s aging steampunk, goggle-wearing villain, and taken to the town of Rose Hill. Meanwhile, Leon plays the hero, tracking Gideon’s every move as he searches for a cure for the mysterious illness that is plaguing Gideon, eventually leading them both back to Raccoon City.

Grace’s gameplay is more horror-focused (I recommend playing in first-person, which I totally agree with), and gives you very limited resources, making each encounter feel like a scrape to survive. Most of her sections are taught, tense, and overwhelming. Enemy zombies outnumber bullets by a ratio of 5 to 1. This is also where the game takes a new twist. resident evil formula. Thanks to so many smart choices, requiemthe item creation feels meaningful and some of the nightmarish monster designs are truly inspired.

half of grace requiem It’s not easy. It’s extremely difficult, especially if you (like me) choose to play on Classic difficulty. The only difference between the so-called Standard (Classic) and Standard (Modern) is that, like all titles before it, 4—To save a game on a typewriter, you must use an ink ribbon, a limited resource. When you die, you will return to the point where you last used the Ink Ribbon.

twist requiem When equipped, you will be able to make ink ribbons, which will require you to move your hands frequently. In addition to the real threat of losing progress, this reduces the resources Modern players have available to craft ammo and healing items. I was often forced to choose between turning a weak green herb into a more powerful healing item or saving the game. It’s not stressful for anyone who isn’t a veteran of the series, but I love the game. I was happy to find it to be a viable option for my first playthrough.

Speaking of series veterans, Leon’s section sees him returning to Raccoon City decades after everything was destroyed by an atomic bomb. The backdrop for most of your action-packed time as Leon is gray and post-apocalyptic. Treble is high. Use your shotgun, rifle, and trusty hatchet to fight your way through crowds of zombies and a host of bosses guaranteed to evoke nostalgia. Every time Leon appears on screen, the excitement builds. There’s one big set piece in particular that rivals some of the best action movie moments of recent years, but I won’t spoil it here.

I’ve often thought that these sections really feel like a “sequel.” resident evil 4 Despite the remake’s superior graphics and mechanical flourishes, here’s what it looks like: We know a lot of fans want to hear that, but for now, the DNA of the beloved title permeates throughout the series. I love Leon’s precise gunplay and action movie quips, but all the fresh ideas were clearly used in Grace.

The second half requiem You’ll be hooked on playing hit songs in no time. Leon’s best moments are the fan service, simple and straightforward but not too extravagant, creating an appropriately celebratory atmosphere. requiem does it so passionately that it’s hard not to get swallowed up in its entirety, never mind that it serves as a highlight reel for three decades. However, once the problem is resolved, a clearer picture emerges. requiem It may just be the end of an era.

resident evil ‘ is once again on top of the world, and it looks like Capcom has broken the formula of banger after banger. A new film adaptation from director Zack Creger has arrived. weaponsthe franchise seems ready to shake things up. requiem This is your last chance to hit all the notes that have made the series shine over the past decade, before you start singing new songs.

First published in Esquire US