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Resident Evil Requiem is a bold melding of the franchise’s action-oriented evolution and its survival-horror roots. Built around two playable protagonists — seasoned veteran Leon Kennedy and newcomer Grace Ashcroft — Requiem manages to feel both like a tribute to the series’ past and a confident step forward. Capcom’s design choices reward long-term fans while offering an accessible but substantial experience for newcomers.
Gameplay: Tension Meets Momentum
Combat leans into fast, cinematic encounters without sacrificing the resource-management that defines Resident Evil. Firearms feel impactful, melee acts as a satisfying close-quarters option and enemy encounters often demand quick adaptation rather than rote memorisation. Stealth segments and claustrophobic exploration sections preserve the franchise’s signature dread, while set-piece battles inject a modern, AAA-level adrenaline rush.
Dual campaigns offer variety. Leon’s path emphasises gunplay and high-stakes confrontations, while Grace’s campaign mixes investigation, puzzles and stealth. Both storylines interlock in meaningful ways, with recurring locations and shared narrative beats that encourage multiple playthroughs.
Story and Characters
The narrative centres on Umbrella-linked secrets and a new antagonist, Victor Gideon, whose presence drives much of the game’s mystery. Leon remains a comforting constant — quick-witted, battle-hardened and still very much the series’ stalwart — while Grace provides a fresh perspective, her vulnerability balanced by surprising resilience. The script strikes the right tone, oscillating between tense horror, dark humour and blockbuster pacing without ever feeling tonally confused.
Visuals and Audio on Switch 2
On Switch 2, Requiem is a technical showcase. Character models, environmental detail and lighting effects outperform many expectations for a portable platform. Textures are sharp, particle effects are abundant and the game’s signature gore is rendered with unsettling clarity. Load times are generally brisk, contributing to a smoother rhythm between exploration and set pieces.
The sound design is exemplary. A minimal soundtrack in key moments enhances unease, while high-fidelity effects — snapping bones, distant moans, radios crackling — deliver constant atmospheric pressure. Voice acting is competent, with Leon again carrying the franchise’s emotional throughline.
Performance and Controls
Performance on Switch 2 is mostly stable. The game targets a smooth framerate during combat-heavy sequences and maintains it through the majority of play. Occasional dips occur in particularly dense arenas, but they rarely undermine the moment-to-moment experience. Control mapping feels polished for both handheld and docked play, with camera and aiming responsiveness tuned to modern expectations. Motion controls are absent, which suits the game’s emphasis on precision and deliberate movement.
Length, Replayability and Difficulty
Campaign length sits comfortably in the 12–18 hour range per character, dependent on playstyle and exploration. Side objectives, unlockable weapons and New Game+ modes substantially increase replay value. Multiple difficulty settings cater to a wide audience, from those seeking narrative immersion to veterans demanding hardcore resource scarcity and permadeath-style penalties.
Pros and Cons
- Pros: Strong fusion of action and horror, excellent presentation on Switch 2, two distinct and complementary campaigns, high replay value.
- Cons: Occasional performance dips in complex scenes, some set pieces feel derivative of recent entries, pacing can be uneven during mid-game stretches.
Verdict
Resident Evil Requiem stands as one of the series’ most assured entries. It captures the dread and atmosphere that defined the franchise’s early success while embracing the kinetic intensity of its modern direction. On Switch 2, the game looks and sounds superb, and its dual campaigns provide satisfying narrative and mechanical variety. This is a high-water mark for Resident Evil and a must-play for fans of action-flavoured survival horror.
Recommended.