Capcom's Resident Evil Requiem has received an 89 Metacritic score on PS5, marking the highest-rated mainline entry since Resident Evil 4 in 2005. The game features playable characters Leon S. Kennedy and Grace Ashcroft, blending first-person horror and third-person action in a story tied to Raccoon City's ruins. Reviews praise its atmospheric scares and nostalgic elements, though some note an uneven split between protagonists.
Resident Evil Requiem, announced in June 2025, launches on February 27, 2026, for PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and Switch 2. It coincides with the Resident Evil series' 30th anniversary, serving as a celebration of its legacy through dual perspectives: first-person for newcomer Grace Ashcroft, emphasizing stealth and horror, and third-person for veteran Leon S. Kennedy, focusing on action.
The story unfolds in the Rhodes Hill Chronic Care Center and Raccoon City ruins, involving Umbrella Corporation remnants and a dormant disease affecting survivors like Leon. Reviews highlight the game's meticulous design, particularly Leon's aged appearance. Director Koshi Nakanishi stated, “We’ve spent quite a lot of time polishing Leon’s visuals. Leon has many fans among Capcom employees, and women in particular were pretty strict when reviewing his design. They would point out and comment on even the finest details like the wrinkles on his neck.” He added, “Throughout the development process, Leon was thoroughly refined, and I think we managed to come through with a design that would make anyone’s heart throb.”
Eurogamer called it “legendary horror at an all-time high,” praising its terrifying atmosphere and humanized monsters, though noting a mid-game shift to action feels jarring. Kotaku's Kenneth Shepard appreciated the action-horror balance but criticized the lopsided focus on Leon in the latter half, saying it gestures at introspection without meaningful payoff. Another Kotaku piece noted the Metacritic score of 89 after 100 PS5 reviews, comparing it to past entries: Resident Evil Village (84), Resident Evil 7 (86), and Resident Evil 4 (96). The game offers camera options at launch and interlinked paths where actions as one character affect the other.
Overall, Requiem is lauded for its polish and series callbacks, with a runtime of about 20 hours, though some reviews suggest it plays it safe rather than innovating.
