Back in February of this year, Capcom released the latest installment of one of the most popular horror and puzzle games: Resident Evil: Requiem.
Requiem is the ninth installment of the main Resident Evil story and features the return of fan favorite character Leon Kennedy, who has not appeared in a main game since Resident Evil 6 in 2014. Along with Leon, Sherry Birkin is featured, who has not been seen since Resident Evil 2 all the way back in 1998. Requiem introduced new characters, including deranged scientist Victor Gideon and protagonist, Grace Ashcroft, an aspiring FBI analyst.
The story follows Grace as she investigates a group of deaths linked to a strain of the mysterious T-virus that destroyed Raccoon City almost 30 years prior. Her search leads to her being abducted by Victor Gideon, believing that she is the key to a mysterious weapon named Elpis, the final project created by the founder of the Umbrella Corporation, Oswell Spencer. Grace encounters Leon Kennedy, who is infected with the strain and doing his own investigation as well. Together, they work to find out what Elpis is and get to it before Victor does. Ultimately, they find out that Elpis is not a weapon, but a cure to any virus as they stop Victor from obtaining it and reveal to the public that the Umbrella Corporation was massively covered up and still in operation, thought to have gone under after the destruction of Raccoon City.
In the game, the characters return to Raccoon City, the main setting from the second and third games. There are many references to the old games, encountering old puzzles and just walking through the buildings and on the roads that were prominent so many years before. That is not to mention how good the game looks visually. There is so much detail, such as the cat hair that can be seen on Grace’s boss’s suit and the reflections in the puddles when it rains. Overall, it is very visually appealing and it is honestly one of the best looking games I have ever seen and played. With all the references as well, many seasoned Resident Evil players have a sense of nostalgia as they play the latest installment in the series.
As far as gameplay goes, it is very straightforward and not too complicated, which is great for players who are new to the series. Along with the story that gives lots of background from the previous games, along with new stories to follow, in my opinion it makes it a good game to start with for new fans to Resident Evil. The gameplay also introduces the player to the option to play in first person or third person, something that has not been seen before in Resident Evil games. It makes the game more inclusive to people whether they enjoyed the third person view from the older games or the first person from the newer games. With the newest edition to the Resident Evil story, Capcom blends elements from both past and present titles to give the players the best experience possible, making it truly a one of a kind game.
