After nearly five years of anticipation, fans of the Resident Evil video game franchise finally received a new release, featuring familiar faces and locations from previous games, as well as new characters and scenes to explore and learn about. 

In the ninth main installment of the award-winning franchise, “Resident Evil Requiem” follows FBI analyst Grace Ashcroft and federal agent Leon S. Kennedy, switching between the characters throughout the game. Released Feb. 27 on PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo and PC, “Resident Evil Requiem” features high-resolution graphics and proves the most immersive installment yet. 

“Resident Evil Requiem” opens as Grace investigates a homicide at the same location where her mother’s murder took place, which left her traumatized and prone to panic attacks. As she explores the now dilapidated Wrenwood Hotel, she quickly runs into more trouble than she signed up for. Leon, a familiar face in the series, finds himself dispatched to the same scene as he looks into a string of deaths related to the 1998 outbreak in Raccoon City. 

Players experience the classic horror of Resident Evil when playing as Grace. Her character feels realistic and relatable, constantly remarking, “What the hell?” as any sane person would in her shoes. Although she suffers from pretty intense anxiety, Grace pushes through to protect what she stands for. Grace’s realism reflects the shift in media to represent women as more authentic, with many games coming out in the past few years showcasing strong female main characters.

Leon, however, stands as the epitome of the classic hero. Charming, nonchalant and always quick with a witty remark, Leon provides comedic relief as players experience the action side of the game. His storyline takes players back to Raccoon City, where Leon’s story began in “Resident Evil 2.” Fans speculate this return could signal an end to Leon’s contribution to main games, passing the torch onto new characters. 

“Well, that’s my cardio for the week,” said Leon, after defeating a horde of enemies. 

With puzzles, enemies and locations reminiscent of previous games as well as unique to this release, “Resident Evil Requiem” provides a well-rounded gaming experience for fans of the franchise and newcomers. Although it may be beneficial to know the lore of the other games, “Resident Evil Requiem” ensures that new players aren’t left out by providing background in the form of collectible files found throughout the game. 

While this game didn’t feel as scary as “Resident Evil 7: Biohazard,” generally regarded by fans as the scariest game in the series, “Resident Evil Requiem” still delivered chills with jumpscares and tense moments, especially when playing as Grace. The eerie soundtrack during her sections enhanced the tension of the environment. 

“Fear is a seed in your own imagination,” game developer Kōshi Nakanishi said in an interview with Deadline. “So, the key to providing a scary experience in any of these titles is to give the player enough to let their imagination go and basically create fear.”

“Resident Evil Requiem” lived up to the standards set by its predecessors while still paying homage and continuing the overarching story of the entire franchise as the characters battle bioweapons. For old and new fans alike, “Resident Evil Requiem” contains aspects for everyone, holding a requiem for the past as it welcomes a modern shift in the franchise.

5 What the hells out of 5