For a franchise that has spent decades perfecting its formula—one game at a time—Capcom’s Resident Evil Requiem is a bold experiment: a 10-hour distillation of everything that made the series iconic. No filler. No wasted moments. Just a relentless, perfectly paced blend of survival horror, action, and puzzle-solving, split between Leon Kennedy’s brute-force heroics and Grace Ashcroft’s stealth-driven ingenuity.
The result is a game that feels like a love letter to the series’ roots, but with the precision of modern design. There’s no bloated storytelling, no repetitive fetch quests, and no unnecessary tension. Every corridor, puzzle, and combat encounter serves a purpose—whether it’s teaching Grace to conserve ammo or letting Leon unleash a chainsaw on a horde of infected.
Reviewed on an RTX 3070 and AMD Ryzen 5 5600G, Requiem runs smoothly, its visuals sharp enough to highlight the game’s atmospheric set pieces—from a burning church to a flooded parking lot—without demanding cutting-edge hardware. The real star, however, is its pacing: a masterclass in how to make every minute count.
- Release date: February 27, 2026
- Price: $70
- Developer/Publisher: Capcom
- Platform: PC (Steam Deck support unconfirmed)
- Multiplayer: No
- Reviewed on: RTX 3070, Ryzen 5 5600G, 16GB RAM
The game’s brilliance lies in its division of labor. Grace, the newcomer, handles the horror and puzzles early on, forcing players to navigate Rhodes Hill Hospital with limited resources—think cracked safe codes, organ transplants (don’t ask), and a single-shot revolver that must be used sparingly. Leon, meanwhile, delivers the cathartic action, from parrying zombie attacks to wielding a shotgun in a fiery church showdown.
What stands out is how Requiem avoids the pitfalls of its predecessors. There’s no frustration over unresponsive controls or unfair fights. Every weapon—from Grace’s revolver to Leon’s rifle—feels purposeful, with upgrades that actually matter. Even the game’s most terrifying moments, like a basement chase against a monstrous, eyeless creature, are earned through careful design.
The combat isn’t just satisfying; it’s reactive. Leon’s parry system is as precise as ever, and the weapon variety ensures no fight feels repetitive. Grace’s stealth sections, meanwhile, reward patience with clever solutions—like using a zombie chef’s knife to carve a path through infected horde.
Then there’s the sheer absurdity of it all. A highlight is Leon’s motorbike chase through Raccoon City’s ruins, dodging Cerberus-like creatures while trading fire with Victor Gideon on a rival bike. It’s over-the-top, but that’s the point—Requiem embraces the franchise’s love for spectacle without sacrificing tension.
At just 10 hours, it’s a tight, replayable experience that feels complete. It doesn’t linger on any one location or character arc, but that’s its strength: a curated journey through the best of Resident Evil, from the puzzles of RE2 to the action of RE4. For fans, it’s a reminder of why the series endures—and for newcomers, a perfect introduction.
Pricing is set at $70, with a February 2026 release. Steam Deck support remains unconfirmed.
