Capcom
Resident Evil Requiem: the perfect balance between classic horror and modern action
Capcom’s new release features Grace Ashcroft alongside the return of Leon S. Kennedy in an experience that pays homage to the origins of the series.
Capcom is going through a particularly strong period. Following the success of its latest numbered releases and remakes, the Japanese company seems to have found the ideal balance to keep a franchise with almost three decades of history alive. This time, we had the opportunity to try Resident Evil Requiem in advance, a game that not only seeks to provoke fear, but also to reconcile the two main types of players in the series: those who prioritize resource management and constant tension, and those who prefer a more action-oriented approach.
What is the story about, and who are the main characters?
The narrative takes place after the events of the first game, exploring the emotional and physical aftermath that still lingers. The main new character is Grace Ashcroft, an FBI agent who breaks with the archetype of the invulnerable heroine. Vulnerable, human, and sometimes hesitant, her mission is to investigate the mysterious deaths of former survivors of the tragedy.
Leon S. Kennedy reappears on her path, now more experienced and marked by the years. His presence serves as a natural counterpoint to Grace: where she represents fragility and confusion, he brings fortitude and determination. The relationship between the two develops organically, intertwining their stories around a motive that is gradually revealed.
What is it like to play with two such different characters?
Resident Evil Requiem adopts a structure that alternates between both protagonists, offering markedly different experiences.
- With Grace Ashcroft, the game embraces pure survival horror: meticulous exploration, puzzle solving—such as the enigmatic cubes—and strict resource management. The classic decision between using ink cartridges to save the game or resorting to a more modern system returns, reinforcing the constant tension.
- With Leon S. Kennedy, the action takes center stage. His sections evoke the intensity of Resident Evil 4 Remake, with more direct combat and the use of heavy weaponry to face hordes of enemies.
An innovative detail is the item creation system. Now you must collect blood samples from enemies to mix with herbs or ammunition. This system forces the player to be much more observant of the environment, as stealth and light play a crucial role: turning on your flashlight can be the difference between surrounding a monster or becoming its dinner.
How does it perform technically on PCs, laptops, and Switch 2?
For hardware enthusiasts, there is excellent news. In our tests with a high-end PC (equipped with an Intel Core i9-14900K and a GeForce RTX 5090), we achieved over 200 FPS in 4K resolution. Ray tracing takes the horror atmosphere to another level, especially in the realism of the shadows and the detail of the characters’ hair.
On portable devices, the optimization is equally remarkable. On Steam Deck, the automatic configuration system allows for rates close to 90 FPS in quality mode with great stability. On the ROG Xbox Ally X, the title maintains 60 FPS in Full HD under a 13W profile, a particularly solid result considering the energy limitations.
For its part, the Nintendo Switch 2 version demonstrates ambitious technical work by the development team, adapting the graphics engine without compromising the overall experience.
Resident Evil Requiem is shaping up to be a game that brings together the best of the franchise’s different stages. It combines the tension of classic survival horror with the spectacle of modern action, all backed by outstanding technical performance across multiple platforms. If it maintains the level shown in this early test, it could become one of the most balanced and complete chapters in the series.
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