Initially, I was worried that Resident Evil Requiem’s dual-protagonist gameplay would fall flat, but it’s a masterful blend of RE2 and RE4. After playing a tense, action-packed demo I’m hungry for more.
I’m a huge Resident Evil fan, but with 30 years of games under the franchise’s belt, even super fans like me must admit there have been a few missteps. One such stumble was the maximalist Resident Evil 6, which featured four campaigns that had more in common with a superhero movie than a horror game. So, I was nervous that Resident Evil Requiem (aka Resident Evil 9) might make the same shark-jumping mistake. In a series full of over-the-top moments, would the promise of two radically different playstyles from the dual protagonists—FBI analyst Grace Ashcroft and federal agent Leon S. Kennedy—be too jarring? In trying to please everyone, would Requiem be a master of none?
My concerns were misplaced. After spending three hours with the near-final build of Resident Evil Requiem, I walked away confident that it’s shaping up to be one of the best Resident Evil titles.Grace Puts a Fun Spin on Classic RE2 Gameplay
If you’ve been following our Resident Evil Requiem coverage, you know that the new game is led by newcomer Grace Ashcroft and series veteran Leon S. Kennedy. Dual heroes aren’t new to the series, but what is new is just how they play. Leon’s gameplay draws on the action-focused Resident Evil 4 remake. Grace, however, plays differently.
During last year’s hands-off, Summer Game Fest demo, Grace was mostly defenseless, sneaking around enemies in a tense, cat-and-mouse dynamic. But now? Grace can handle her own, even if she can’t handle as much as Leon. Her gameplay heavily mirrors the Resident Evil 2 remake’s slower-paced gameplay. She’s far more frail than Leon and Claire ever were, so you must rely on stealth to get the drop on enemies. Grace’s limited combat options and inventory can easily lead to her brain being splattered against the wall. Although she may stumble over her words and run more often than she fights, Grace isn’t helpless. She can wield a gun, craft ammo from scrap, and tote a special weapon that siphons the monsters’ infected blood to craft injectors that instantly kill enemies.
Grace’s gameplay in a mysterious facility reminded me of navigating the Raccoon City Police Department in Resident Evil 2.
