Introduction
If you want a resident evil requiem review that cuts through the hype, the short answer is that critics largely loved it. Capcom’s ninth mainline Resident Evil game blends old-school survival horror with big action set pieces, built around two very different heroes. It is scary, spectacular and uneven in places, which is why the scores tell a more interesting story than any single number could.
This guide covers what reviewers praised and criticised, who the two leads are, how long the campaign lasts, and what it costs in the UK now. There are no major late-game spoilers, only the premise and the systems reviewers talked about most.
Resident Evil Requiem Review at a Glance
Resident Evil Requiem is a single-player survival horror game developed and published by Capcom. It arrived in the franchise’s thirtieth anniversary year, which helps explain why it leans so heavily on Raccoon City while still trying to move the story forward.
| Fact | Resident Evil Requiem detail |
|---|---|
| Developer and publisher | Capcom |
| Release date | 27 February 2026 |
| Platforms | PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, Nintendo Switch 2 |
| Genre | Survival horror with action sections |
| Main characters | Grace Ashcroft and Leon S. Kennedy |
| Campaign | Single-player only, no co-op campaign |
| Age rating in the UK | PEGI 18 |
Almost three decades after Raccoon City, survivors of that disaster are being murdered. The investigation pulls a new hero and a returning legend back to where it all began.
What the Scores Actually Say
A resident evil requiem review round-up is best read as a range, not a single score, because Metacritic figures have varied by platform and snapshot. Early coverage put the overall average at around 90, while later platform snapshots have sat in the high eighties to low nineties. The direction is clear: this is a critically acclaimed game, not a divisive one.
| Outlet | Score reported |
|---|---|
| IGN | 9 out of 10 |
| GamesRadar+ | 4.5 out of 5 |
| Eurogamer | 5 out of 5 |
| PC Gamer | 92 out of 100 |
| VGC | 4 out of 5 |
| Game Rant | 10 out of 10 |
IGN praised the splicing of two strains of survival horror, a likeable new lead and memorable boss fights. GamesRadar+ called it the most cinematic and emotional moment for the franchise so far. Criticisms were about balance, not broken mechanics.
The Story: Grace, Leon and Raccoon City
Grace Ashcroft is an FBI analyst and the daughter of Alyssa Ashcroft, a survivor from Resident Evil Outbreak. When Raccoon City survivors start being targeted, Grace is sent to investigate a murder at the Wrenwood Hotel, where her mother was killed eight years earlier. Her story is personal from the start, and reviewers singled out her vulnerability as the reason her sections feel so tense.
Leon S. Kennedy returns to a mainline game for the first time since Resident Evil 6, older and carrying a dormant illness linked to Raccoon City. Searching for a cure, his path collides with Grace’s at Rhodes Hill Chronic Care Center, where a scientist’s work sits at the heart of the horror.
Grace Ashcroft: Survival Horror
Grace’s sections are the horror half: tight spaces, limited resources, stealth, stalker creatures and puzzles that reward careful reading. By default she is played in first person, which makes every dark corridor feel uncomfortably close.
Her crafting system was widely praised. Grace draws infected material from puddles and corpses to synthesise bullets and healing items, turning every encounter into a resource decision: spend now, or save it and risk running dry later?
Leon S. Kennedy: Action Horror
Leon is the opposite pole: faster and more confident, played by default in third person. He brings a hatchet that can parry attacks and chain into melee finishes, alongside a full arsenal for bigger encounters and boss fights.
After a Grace section, Leon feels like a release of pressure, and reviewers called that shift cathartic. The risk is that the balance can feel front-loaded with horror before giving way to a more bullet-heavy back half.
Two Play Styles, One Campaign
You can swap the camera for either character, so you are not locked into first person for Grace or third person for Leon. The defaults suit each character best, but the choice is there.
Resources and choices in one character’s sections were noted as carrying consequences into the other’s, so the halves do not feel disconnected. The Nintendo Switch 2 version was widely noted as a genuinely strong port, not a cut-down afterthought.
How Long It Takes, and What It Costs in the UK
Length reports differ, so treat any single number with care. Most first playthroughs are reported at around 10 to 14 hours, depending on difficulty and exploration. A focused story run can come in shorter, while a thorough completionist run is reported at 16 to 20 hours or more.
| Edition | UK launch price reported |
|---|---|
| Standard Edition, PC digital | £59.99 |
| Standard Edition, PS5, Xbox Series X|S and Switch 2 digital | £64.99 |
| Deluxe Edition | £74.99 |
Treat those as launch prices, not a live quote. In late October 2026, UK deal coverage reported the PlayStation 5 standard edition at around £33 at some retailers. Always check the retailer at checkout. Capcom has announced a story expansion, but no release window had been confirmed.
What Reviewers Criticised
The story leans heavily on series lore. Newcomers can follow the main plot, but deeper references mean far more to long-term fans, and a few reviewers found the middle meandering. Grace can feel sidelined once Leon’s action takes over, and his sections can feel like a run of set pieces.
There was also no Mercenaries mode at launch, disappointing fans who treat it as a staple. Grace’s inventory also stays cramped even after upgrades, which reviewers found frustrating when space mattered most.
Is Resident Evil Requiem Worth Playing Now?
For UK players reading a resident evil requiem review, the consensus says yes, especially at a discounted price. The campaign is tight and varied, and the Raccoon City story gives long-term fans a payoff that feels earned, not purely nostalgic.
Play on a suitable difficulty, take Grace’s sections slowly, and let the horror breathe. Newcomers should know it is not an ideal entry point, but it is still playable without having finished every earlier game.
Conclusion
This Game Horizon resident evil requiem review leaves a clear verdict: Resident Evil Requiem is one of the strongest Resident Evil games in years. It is not perfect, and its horror-to-action balance will not suit everyone, but Grace Ashcroft is a worthy new lead and Leon’s return is handled with real affection.
If you have waited for a sale, the late-October UK discounts make this an easy recommendation. If you are a veteran, it is essential. If you are new, it is still a confident, scary horror game, even if some history only clicks after a Raccoon City catch-up.
FAQs
Is Resident Evil Requiem a sequel or a remake?
It is a sequel and the ninth mainline entry, not a remake. It continues the modern games while returning to the Raccoon City story.
What did critics score Resident Evil Requiem?
The consensus was high: IGN 9 out of 10, GamesRadar+ 4.5 out of 5, Eurogamer 5 out of 5, PC Gamer 92 out of 100, VGC 4 out of 5, and Game Rant 10 out of 10. Metacritic has sat in the high eighties to low nineties by platform and snapshot.
Who are the main characters in Resident Evil Requiem?
Grace Ashcroft, an FBI analyst investigating murders targeting Raccoon City survivors, and Leon S. Kennedy, searching for a cure for a dormant illness. Grace leans to horror, Leon to action.
How long does Resident Evil Requiem take to finish?
Most first playthroughs are reported at around 10 to 14 hours, depending on difficulty and exploration. A thorough completionist run can take 16 to 20 hours or more, while a fast, focused story run can be shorter.
Is Resident Evil Requiem on PS5, Xbox, PC and Switch 2?
Yes. It launched on 27 February 2026 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC and Nintendo Switch 2. It is single-player only, with no co-op campaign and no PlayStation 4 or Xbox One version.
Is Resident Evil Requiem worth buying for newcomers?
Yes, if you enjoy survival horror, but it is not the best entry point. The main story is followable alone, yet much of its payoff assumes familiarity with Raccoon City.
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