When Capcom announced they were taking fans back to Raccoon City, expectations were understandably high. After all, the franchise has delivered mixed results in recent years, with some entries leaning too heavily into action while others doubled down on pure horror. But early Resident Evil Requiem review scores suggest the developer has finally cracked the code on how to satisfy both camps simultaneously.
Launching February 27, 2026, Resident Evil Requiem arrives as the ninth mainline entry with an impressive 88 Metacritic score—making it the highest-rated original entry since 2005’s genre-defining Resident Evil 4. The secret? A bold dual-protagonist structure that pairs franchise veteran Leon Kennedy with newcomer Grace Ashcroft, an FBI analyst whose investigative skills contrast perfectly with Leon’s combat expertise. Critics are calling it Capcom’s most ambitious narrative experiment in years, though not everyone agrees the execution is flawless. With the launch just days away, let’s break down what reviewers are saying about this return to survival horror’s most iconic city.
Critical Reception: Why Requiem Earned an 88 Metacritic Score
Highest-Rated Entry Since RE4
The 88 Metacritic score isn’t just impressive—it’s historic for modern Resident Evil. To put this in perspective, Resident Evil 5 scored 86, the divisive Resident Evil 6 managed only 74, and even the well-received Resident Evil 7: Biohazard peaked at 86. Village, despite its commercial success, sits at 84. That makes Requiem the strongest critical performer in over two decades.
IGN awarded it a 9/10, praising how Capcom “finally understands that horror and action don’t need to compete—they can complement.” GameSpot’s 8/10 highlighted the narrative ambition, noting that “Grace and Leon’s intertwining stories create genuine tension about how their paths will converge.” Even traditionally critical outlets like Eurogamer gave it a “Recommended” rating, emphasizing the technical achievements of the RE Engine’s latest iteration. The consistency across major publications suggests this isn’t just hype—Requiem delivers on multiple fronts.
What Reviewers Love and Hate
The praise centers on three elements: the dual-protagonist innovation, technical excellence, and environmental storytelling. Polygon’s review specifically called out Grace Ashcroft as “the franchise’s strongest new character since Ethan Winters,” praising her analytical approach to problem-solving. The return to Raccoon City also resonated emotionally with longtime fans, with critics appreciating the callbacks that don’t feel forced.
However, not all feedback is glowing. Several reviewers cited pacing issues during the middle chapters, where switching between characters can interrupt narrative momentum. PC Gamer’s 82/100 review mentioned that “the constant perspective shifts, while innovative, sometimes work against sustained tension.” Others noted that the game leans heavily on nostalgia, which might alienate newcomers unfamiliar with series lore. The consensus? Requiem excels at what it attempts, but its ambition occasionally creates structural challenges that prevent it from achieving perfection.
The Dual-Protagonist Innovation: Grace vs Leon Gameplay
Grace Ashcroft’s Survival Horror Experience
Grace Ashcroft represents Capcom’s purest survival horror vision in years. Her sections emphasize resource scarcity, environmental puzzles, and vulnerability that recalls Resident Evil 7’s claustrophobic terror. As an FBI analyst rather than a combat specialist, Grace approaches threats analytically—you’ll spend more time avoiding enemies than confronting them directly.
The default first-person perspective intensifies this vulnerability. Limited ammunition forces creative problem-solving, whether that’s crafting environmental traps or finding alternate routes through crumbling Raccoon City infrastructure. Reviewers consistently highlight Grace’s opening hours as genuinely frightening, with one sequence in an abandoned hospital drawing comparisons to Silent Hill’s psychological horror. Her unique forensic analysis mechanic also adds investigative depth, allowing players to reconstruct crime scenes and uncover narrative threads Leon’s sections miss entirely.
Leon Kennedy’s Action-Packed Sections
Leon’s gameplay feels like a natural evolution of Resident Evil 4’s over-the-shoulder action. Veterans will immediately recognize the precision aiming, melee counters, and resource management that defined that classic—but refined with two decades of design improvements. His sections embrace spectacle, featuring set pieces that rival anything in Village while maintaining survival horror roots.
The default third-person perspective suits Leon’s combat-focused approach perfectly. You’ll face overwhelming enemy counts that require tactical thinking despite superior firepower. Boss battles in Leon’s chapters are particularly memorable, with multi-stage encounters that test both reflexes and strategy. The beauty of Requiem’s design is that you can switch perspectives freely—playing Leon in first-person or Grace in third-person if you prefer. This flexibility respects player choice while maintaining each character’s distinct identity and gameplay philosophy.
Technical Excellence: Path Tracing and Performance
RE Engine’s Path Tracing Breakthrough
Resident Evil Requiem is the first franchise entry to feature native path tracing support, representing a significant technical leap. This includes ray-traced global illumination, realistic reflections, accurate shadows, and ambient occlusion that transforms Raccoon City into a hauntingly beautiful nightmare. Flickering flames cast dynamic shadows across decaying walls, while rain-slicked streets reflect neon signs with photorealistic accuracy.
On PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, the game offers two modes: Quality mode targets 4K at 30fps with full path tracing enabled, while Performance mode hits 60fps at dynamic 1440p with selective ray tracing. PC players with high-end hardware can push beyond these limitations, though path tracing remains demanding even on RTX 4090 cards. Early performance analysis suggests Capcom has optimized well—Digital Foundry reported “stable frame pacing across all platforms with minimal screen tearing or stuttering.” The visual upgrade genuinely enhances horror atmosphere rather than serving as mere graphical showboating.
Download Size and Launch Times
The PlayStation 5 version requires 72.88GB of storage space, relatively modest compared to other modern AAA releases. Xbox Series X|S comes in slightly smaller at 68.5GB, while PC ranges from 75-80GB depending on optional high-resolution texture packs. Preload became available February 25, giving players 48 hours to prepare for launch.
Console players can access the game at midnight Eastern Time on February 27 (9 PM Pacific Time on February 26). PC launches simultaneously worldwide, meaning European players start at 5 AM GMT while Asia-Pacific regions get afternoon access. This unified launch prevents spoilers from leaking across time zones—a smart move for a story-driven experience where narrative surprises matter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Resident Evil Requiem worth buying?
With an 88 Metacritic score positioning it as the highest-rated new entry since RE4, Resident Evil Requiem offers exceptional value for survival horror fans and series veterans. The dual-protagonist structure provides gameplay variety that justifies the full price, especially considering the 10-15 hour campaign length and high replayability.
When does Resident Evil Requiem release?
Resident Evil Requiem launches February 27, 2026 at midnight Eastern Time for console players (9 PM Pacific on February 26). PC releases simultaneously worldwide, ensuring all players can experience Grace and Leon’s story together regardless of platform.
How long is Resident Evil Requiem?
The main campaign takes approximately 10-15 hours to complete, with playtime varying based on difficulty and exploration thoroughness. Completionists seeking all collectibles and unlockables can expect 20+ hours, while speedrunners have already clocked sub-4-hour runs in preview builds.
Can you play Resident Evil Requiem in first or third person?
Yes, players can freely switch between first-person and third-person perspectives at any time during gameplay, regardless of which protagonist they’re controlling. While Grace defaults to first-person and Leon to third-person, the choice ultimately belongs to you based on comfort and preference.
Is Leon Kennedy in Resident Evil Requiem?
Yes, Leon S. Kennedy serves as co-protagonist alongside newcomer Grace Ashcroft, with players controlling him for roughly half the campaign. His sections emphasize action-oriented gameplay while maintaining survival horror resource management, offering a perfect counterbalance to Grace’s stealth-focused approach.
Conclusion
Resident Evil Requiem proves that Capcom understands what made the franchise legendary while pushing it toward exciting new directions. The Resident Evil Requiem review consensus is clear: this dual-protagonist experiment succeeds far more often than it stumbles, creating a survival horror experience that accommodates different playstyles without compromising either vision. Whether you prefer Grace’s nerve-wracking vulnerability or Leon’s tactical action, there’s substantial content here that justifies the investment. As February 27 approaches, this return to Raccoon City stands ready to remind gaming why survival horror matters.
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