# Resident Evil Requiem Review - Two-Headed Mutant Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1AaTBDBf-w Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/M1AaTBDBf-w Generated: 2026-02-25T15:41:21.172+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview Resident Evil Requiem successfully dials in the balance between horror and action by essentially stapling together two distinct, compelling experiences: a slow, frightening haunted house story featuring the everywoman Grace Ashcraftoft, and a fast-paced, panic-inducing segment starring action hero Leon, resulting in an intense ride that plays Resident Evil's greatest hits near perfectly despite lacking new ideas. **Key Points:** - Resident Evil Requiem, the ninth mainline game, captures the best parts of Resident Evil by separating horror and action into two distinct, parallel experiences rather than blending them, resulting in an almost two-game structure. - The haunted house portion follows Grace Ashcraftoft, an FBI analyst relying on careful movement in a hospital/secret research facility, drawing directly from the classic formula with limited weapons and key hunting. - Zombies in Requiem are 'tea virus mutated undead that maintain a bit of their memories,' sometimes manifesting as dangerous, unpredictable enemies that can carry and use weapons, occasionally mutating into deadlier 'blister heads' from corpses. - Grace utilizes a crafting system involving infected blood drawn from gore or enemies to create items like ammo or the 'hemolytic injector,' a one-use syringe that destroys zombies or prevents blister head mutation, forcing calculated resource management. - Leon's action-hero sections emulate Resident Evil 4's desperation, featuring increased chaos like zombies grabbing dropped weapons, and Leon utilizes a hatchet for conserving ammo, quick finishing moves, and a valuable parry ability to deflect attacks. - The game features a jarring but effective structural element where Leon's sparse appearances in the first half often serve as boss fights, while the second half features a thrilling, yet potentially too familiar, return to Raccoon City. - Most of Requiem's puzzles are not challenging, serving primarily as filler between sneaking, shooting, and worrying, and the game risks retreading too much ground by leaning heavily on past successes and nostalgia. **Context:** The video analyzes Resident Evil Requiem, the ninth mainline entry in Capcom's long-running survival horror franchise, which historically struggles to balance its horror and action elements. The review focuses on how this installment handles that balance by splitting the gameplay into two distinct modes of play centered around its two protagonists, Grace Ashcraftoft and Leon, while deeply integrating mechanics familiar to long-time fans, such as corpse management and intense combat scenarios. ## Detailed Analysis Resident Evil Requiem achieves a strong sense of tension by deliberately separating its gameplay into two separate but complementary experiences, giving Capcom the freedom to lean into what they do best without forcing an inelegant blend. The horror segment stars Grace Ashcraftoft, who navigates a zombie-infested hospital using stealth and resource scarcity, echoing classic Resident Evil survival. Her enemies are uniquely mutated zombies retaining memories, which pose a greater threat, especially as their corpses can resurrect as faster, tougher 'blister heads,' similar to Crimson Heads. Grace manages resources via a crafting system utilizing infected blood, which can create bullets, upgrades, or the powerful one-use hemolytic injector designed to instantly kill or prevent blister head formation, heightening anxiety over limited inventory and choices. Interspersed throughout are Leon's action segments, which draw inspiration from Resident Evil 4's panic, featuring chaotic encounters where dropped weapons become tools or threats, and Leon employs a hatchet for melee finishing and a crucial parry mechanic that rewards quick reflexes against powerful attacks. While the structure can be haphazard with Leon's early boss cameos, the game builds toward a significant, yet potentially overly nostalgic, return to Raccoon City in the latter half. Ultimately, Requiem is commended for executing its established formula near perfectly, even though it offers few new ideas, sometimes thinning out puzzle design and relying heavily on past successes. ### Game Structure and Balance - Stapling together two distinct experiences: a slow, frightening haunted house story with Grace Ashcraftoft - a fast-paced, panic-inducing experience starring Leon - both halves are extremely compelling and tense. ### Grace's Survival Horror Experience - Protagonist Grace is an FBI analyst relying on careful movement in a hospital/secret research facility trapped with virus-mutated undead - Zombies maintain some memories, sometimes carrying weapons, and can resurrect as deadlier blister heads. ### Infected Blood Crafting Mechanic - Grace gathers infected blood from gore or corpses to craft necessary items like ammo or the 'hemolytic injector,' a one-use syringe to destroy zombies before they mutate - This system forces calculating resource management against limited inventory. ### Leon's Action Focus - Leon's sections emulate Resident Evil 4's desperation, featuring chaotic fights where dropped items like chainsaws or IV racks become unpredictable weapons - Leon carries a hatchet, which is best used for quick finishes and, crucially, provides a parry ability to deflect attacks. ### Structural and Design Critique - The game occasionally feels haphazard due to Leon's sparse early appearances as boss fights - The return to Raccoon City is thrilling but risks retreading too much ground, and most puzzles offer little satisfaction, feeling like filler. ### Final Verdict - Capcom dialed in the Resident Evil formula as far as it can go, playing its hits near perfectly, but the game leans too hard on past successes and nostalgia without introducing new ideas.