Miyuki Aizawa

If I had to describe Resident Evil 9: Requiem in one sentence, I would say this: it is a very solid new Resident Evil that continues the atmosphere of the series beautifully while also reminding me of a few mechanics that have always slightly annoyed me in Resident games.

I spent about 20 hours with the game, and during that time I both appreciated it and sighed under my breath a few times. And you know what? It is still a very good RE9, just with a few classic “Resident-style” quirks.

Resident Evil 9: Requiem – First Impressions and Optimization

The first thing that genuinely surprised me in Resident Evil 9: Requiem was the optimization.

My computer… let’s affectionately call it “a veteran of many battles.” And yet the new Resident Evil ran on minimum settings without major issues. Occasionally there were small stutters, but nothing that ruined the gameplay.

In times when many new releases run like a slideshow on launch, I truly appreciate that RE9 is technically stable.

Grace Ashcroft – Tension, Fear, and the Sound of Anxiety

One of the main playable characters is Grace Ashcroft, and honestly… playing as her is deeply unsettling.

Why?

Because Grace reacts to situations in a very human way. Her breathing, whispers, and nervous reactions make the tension feel much stronger.

Sometimes simply entering a new room and hearing Grace start breathing faster would instantly trigger a reaction in my brain: “Okay. Something is about to jump out.”

And most of the time… it did.

Leon Kennedy – A Tank Among Zombies

When we switch to Leon S. Kennedy, the atmosphere changes completely.

Leon feels like a bulldozer on autopilot plowing through a pile of cardboard boxes. The zombies are still dangerous, but compared to the tension of Grace’s sections, Leon approaches situations like a professional who has seen absolutely everything before.

And that contrast between the two protagonists works incredibly well.

The Resident Mechanic That Always Annoys Me

There is, however, one thing that returns in Resident Evil 9: Requiem and still gets on my nerves.

It is the classic Resident Evil mechanic of single-use tools disappearing from your inventory exactly when the developers decide they are no longer needed.

You use a key. You use some special tool. And suddenly… poof. “This item is no longer necessary.”

I understand it is part of level design and progression control, but every time it happens I still think: “Hey… I would actually like to keep that.”

Scripted Zombies – My Small Gameplay Frustration

Another thing that slightly bothered me in RE9 is the presence of scripted zombies.

You walk into a room. You see a body lying against the wall. You know it is going to get up.

You approach with your weapon ready. You aim. And… you cannot damage it.

Because the zombie has to stand up first before it becomes a valid target.

It is a small thing, but it slightly breaks immersion.

Backtracking and Exploration in RE9

Fortunately, backtracking in Resident Evil 9: Requiem is actually very enjoyable.

Returning to earlier locations makes sense, because you often unlock new passages or obtain tools that allow you to access previously unreachable areas.

I also have a personal habit in Resident Evil games: I check every corner.

Whenever I enter a new location, I inspect every cabinet, every drawer, and every document.

Because somewhere there might be:

• a lore note
• a hidden weapon
• an upgrade
• or some secret

And honestly, RE9 rewards that curiosity surprisingly often.

A Great Approach to Storage Boxes

I also really liked the approach to inventory storage boxes.

• Leon Kennedy uses them to upgrade weapons and equipment
• Grace Ashcroft treats them more like storage

It is a small detail, but it nicely emphasizes the differences between the characters.

Leon’s One-Liners – Classic Resident Evil

If you have played Resident Evil before, you know that Leon Kennedy loves throwing out one-liners.

And Resident Evil 9: Requiem has plenty of them.

And yes. I laughed.

Because when the tension becomes extremely thick, Leon can deliver a line that acts like a pressure valve for the player’s nerves.

Resident Evil 9: Requiem – Final Thoughts

Is Resident Evil 9: Requiem a good game? Yes. Definitely yes.

• the atmosphere is fantastic
• the story will appeal greatly to fans of the series
• the gameplay is satisfying
• exploration is rewarding
• Grace Ashcroft and Leon Kennedy complement each other perfectly

However, I do have one remark.

A game that lasts around 20 hours could probably be priced a little lower at launch.

It is not a dealbreaker, but I feel that this length of experience might deserve a slightly friendlier price.

Despite that, the new Resident Evil is a truly solid entry in the series, and if you enjoy survival horror games, RE9 is absolutely worth checking out.

👉If you want to support me, you can purchase the game from the referral link below. I would really appreciate it ^^👈

👉Resident Evil 9: Requiem on Instant Gaming👈

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