games / Reviews
Resident Evil Requiem (Xbox Series X) Review
Image Credit: CAPCOM
Loading...Survival horror is not a forgiving genre. It asks for calm decision-making under pressure, efficient resource management, and the willingness to push forward when every sound suggests you shouldn’t. As someone who approaches horror games carefully—sometimes cautiously, sometimes a little too cautiously—I found Resident Evil Requiem to be impressively well balanced. It’s tense without being exhausting, challenging without feeling unfair, and confident in what it wants to be.
More importantly, it understands pacing.
Requiem takes place in a decaying coastal settlement slowly being overtaken by biological corruption. The setting does a lot of heavy lifting. Interiors are tight and oppressive without feeling cluttered, while outdoor areas provide space but never real comfort. The art direction leans into shadows, narrow corridors, and subtle visual cues that make you hesitate before opening almost every door. It’s not constantly throwing jump scares at you; instead, it builds unease gradually and lets your imagination do the work.
One of the game’s biggest strengths is restraint. Requiem doesn’t rush from one explosive set piece to the next. It allows for long stretches of exploration where you absorb the environment, read scattered documents, and piece together what went wrong. The story unfolds naturally through environmental details rather than lengthy exposition. You’re not just told that something terrible happened—you see it in abandoned homes, barricaded rooms, and desperate notes left behind.
Combat reflects that same measured approach. Ammunition is limited enough that you can’t afford to waste it, but not so scarce that every encounter feels punishing. Each fight asks a simple question: is this worth engaging? Sometimes it’s smarter to conserve resources and avoid confrontation. When you do choose to fight, every shot matters. Weapons feel weighty, and enemy reactions are satisfying without being exaggerated.
The enemy design is consistently strong. Standard infected are unsettling but grounded, while later variations introduce new movement patterns and behaviors that keep encounters fresh. Some stalk you patiently, forcing you to rely on sound cues and awareness. Others disrupt your sense of safety by appearing in areas you thought were clear. The variety prevents repetition without overwhelming the player.
Boss encounters are where Requiem truly shines. They are creative, visually memorable, and mechanically demanding in a fair way. Rather than relying on excessive health pools, these fights emphasize pattern recognition and smart resource use. A late-game battle inside a collapsing chapel stands out in particular—an intense, well-paced confrontation that feels cinematic without taking control away from the player. Losses feel like lessons rather than setbacks, and eventual victories feel earned.
Narratively, the game stays within familiar Resident Evil territory: corporate overreach, bioengineering disasters, and the human consequences of unchecked ambition. It doesn’t radically reinvent the series’ themes, but it handles them with confidence. The protagonist is written with believable vulnerability—reactive to the horrors around them without becoming passive. Their fear feels human, and their resolve develops naturally over time.
The supporting cast, while not extensive, contributes meaningfully. Performances are strong, and character motivations are clear without being overly explained. The script occasionally leans into melodrama, as the franchise often does, but it rarely undermines the overall tone.
Technically, the game is polished. Lighting is a standout feature, with dynamic shadows that heighten tension in even the quietest spaces. Sound design is equally impressive. Subtle environmental noises—distant scraping, footsteps above you, the creak of old wood—constantly keep you alert. The audio design does as much to build suspense as the visuals do.
There are minor drawbacks. The classic grid-based inventory system, while familiar, can feel slightly clunky in high-pressure situations. Managing items quickly during a surprise encounter occasionally disrupts the flow. Additionally, some late-game segments lean more heavily into action, featuring larger enemy waves that slightly dilute the carefully built tension. These sections are competently designed, but they lack the intimacy that defines the game’s best moments.
Even so, Requiem maintains a strong sense of identity. It knows that effective horror isn’t about overwhelming the player—it’s about balance. You’re rarely made to feel powerful, but you’re also not left feeling helpless. Instead, the game encourages steady improvement. As you learn enemy behaviors and refine your approach to combat and exploration, confidence builds naturally.
By the final act, the tension remains high, but it’s paired with a satisfying sense of capability. The game respects patience and attention to detail, rewarding players who take their time rather than rush forward.
Ultimately, Resident Evil Requiem succeeds by refining what works rather than reinventing the formula. Through careful pacing, strong encounter design, and cohesive atmosphere, it delivers a focused and engaging survival horror experience. It has a few rough edges, but its strengths far outweigh its flaws.
It’s a confident, well-crafted entry in the series—one that challenges you without pushing you away.
