Resident Evil 9: Requiem

[h1]Best of Both Horrors[/h1] Over the years, my love for the Resident Evil series has only grown stronger, so I was incredibly excited for Requiem. Thankfully, the game did not disappoint. Requiem combines the horror, exploration, and level design of RE7 and RE8 with the action of RE4R, bringing together different eras of the series in a surprisingly well-balanced experience. The best example of this is Leon and Grace. They aren't simply two characters we control at different points in the story; they represent two different sides of Resident Evil. Grace's sections are slower, more vulnerable, doesn't rely entirely on jumpscares; it uses atmosphere, sound design, and darkness to create tension. Resources are limited, and you often have to decide whether it's worth fighting or simply finding a way around a threat. The Blood Collector mechanic complements this approach nicely, adding another layer of resource management that fits Grace's vulnerable playstyle. When you switch to Leon, the pace picks up considerably. His years of experience are reflected in his gameplay, allowing you to take on enemies more confidently and use your weapons much more aggressively. His sections are also more action-oriented, introducing semi-open areas that give you more freedom to explore, search for resources, and decide where you want to go next. I actually enjoyed this change of pace, although I don't think it always works perfectly. After the tightly controlled and tense sections with Grace, Leon's larger environments can sometimes make the game feel a little less focused. The tension naturally drops when you're given more space to explore, and some of the momentum from the more linear sections can be lost. Still, the contrast between the two characters does wonders for the pacing. After spending so much time feeling vulnerable as Grace, taking control of Leon feels genuinely satisfying. But once you start feeling too comfortable with Leon's strength, switching back to Grace immediately reminds you how fragile you actually are. The level design also captures the classic Resident Evil feeling well. Interconnected areas, locked doors, backtracking, hidden rooms, and plenty of reasons to explore make the world feel rewarding to navigate. I also enjoyed the puzzles. They aren't particularly difficult. In fact, I could even call some of them subpar but they're still enjoyable. Finding an item, figuring out where to use it, returning to a previously visited area, and eventually unlocking a new path recreates that classic Resident Evil gameplay loop perfectly. Leon and Grace also complement each other well narratively. Leon has spent years experiencing the horrors of this world and knows how to deal with them, while Grace approaches them from a much more vulnerable and unfamiliar perspective. Leon represents the history and experience of the series, while Grace gives us a fresher way of experiencing its world. Ultimately, Requiem doesn't simply imitate Resident Evil's past. It takes ideas from different eras of the series and reinterprets them into one cohesive experience. It stands as one of the strongest games of the year. It strikes an impressive balance between the series’ different identities while refining the formula to near perfection.

Just completed my first playthrough. Another masterpiece by Capcom. Paid full retail for it and have no regrets.

it was a wet dream for Resident evil fans, i think the fan services is top. need to wait for ada wong reveal for the climax