Resident Evil: Requiem, released by Capcom on February 27, 2026, carries on the long-standing survival horror tradition of the series, incorporating new ideas with traditional ones. The game will take place several years after the events of the fall of Raccoon City and the players will discover a new outbreak with the help of FBI analyst Grace Ashcroft and returning character Leon S. Kennedy.
Being one of the most anticipated horror games of the year, Requiem attempts to balance the aspects of innovation and tradition, and it mostly succeeds, although it comes at its price.
Well-established Gameplay and Atmosphere Foundation
Gameplay-wise, Requiem is one of the best games in the series. The two-hero system also presents two different play styles, wherein Grace is a slower and more vulnerable survivor whereas Leon is a faster and more combat oriented player.
This contrast allows the game to be interesting and fully corresponds to the development of the series since Resident Evil Village. The combination of tension and action is an element that many critics have pointed to as having effectively been implemented in the game, despite the game keeping the same pacing as classic horror games, and providing a modern gameplay experience.
I think that this is exactly the best feature of Requiem. The gameplay is also smooth and advanced and displays the extensive knowledge of the series mechanics that Capcom had.
Narrative Direction: Recurrent but interesting
The plot of the story, however, is more conservative. Instead of an out-and-out subversion of the series, the borrowing of the pre-existing world, particularly its revisiting of Raccoon City and its relation to the previous ones, is extremely heavy in Requiem.
This phenomenon of nostalgia piling up indicates excessive dependence on the sentimental elements of the past, without innovation. Certain plot elements about Raccoon City are contrived, and cause a slight sense of tiredness.
That notwithstanding, this dependency on nostalgia is not all bad. To longtime gamers, these tributes ensure them of an emotional connection and helps to support the trademark features of the series. On a personal level, I believe these scenes, though at times a little bit cliched, are all part of the overall feel of the game and its history.
The issue that can appear is that when nostalgia starts to dominate the narrative development as opposed to helping it, it becomes a problem. The story feels at some moments as though it is not so much plot development as visiting old places.
Balance between new and old characters
A balance of new and old characters is also manifested in the dual-protagonist structure of the movie. Grace Ashcroft is a new angle, particularly in the opening match, where her weakness and mental strain are highlighted.
Yet the narrative emphasis perceibly changes in the course of the story, especially in those scenes where there is a lot of action. Many players have noted that this dilutes the effectiveness of the character arc of Grace and an unequal focus in narrative.
I think that such imbalance does not necessarily undermine the story, but it points to the focus of the game. The story ends up leaning more to the familiar, characterized by Leon as someone who remains stable as opposed to completely going into a new direction.
What is the purpose of this structure of the story?
These decisions are a symptom of a larger problem of enduring game series. Games such as Requiem with its attempts to both live up to the expectations of fans and constantly innovate, usually lead to a tradeoff between originality and tradition.
As a few reports on the game discussing, it as being between nostalgia and reboot have noted, it is not as though Requiem has fully taken one direction. Rather, it took a middle ground; it added some new things but stayed very much related to the history of the series.
I think this is not a weakness and more of a tactical decision. Capcom appears to focus more on game coherence and familiarity with the game than taking a risk, which makes it easier to pick up, but a bit duller.
Immersion and Technical Presentation
Technically Requiem is very impressive. Even recently, with a new Engine Path Tracing configuration, the RE Engine still provides detailed environments, realistic lighting effects and powerful performance.
These features significantly add to the horror of the game, creating tension with the help of the atmosphere and not necessarily the action. Although images cannot fully substitute the narrative, they definitely add to the overall immersion, and the gameplay becomes more interesting.
Final Review
The installment, Resident Evil: Requiem is a solid and sure bet in the series. It manages to enhance the gameplay processes, evoke a strong horror ambiance, and preserve the classic style of the series.
Nonetheless, it does not have a really new feel since it depends on the familiar elements of a story. The storyline is captivating though in some instances it seems constrained by its link to the earlier sequels.
Overall, Requiem achieves a delicate balance in all aspects. It might not entirely reverse the series, but it shows how a franchise of a long-running series can change without losing the aspects that made it successful in the first place.
Shoujie Wang 
Yinan Zhou 
SUN Yinchen