Resident Evil: Requiem Review

Reading Time: 5 minutes

Fast Facts

Requisite Fear

Resident Evil Requiem marks the first time since Resident Evil 4 that a new mainline entry has launched on a Nintendo console the same day as other platforms. The games main location is a terrifying sanatorium, delivering some of the most intense horror moments in the series. The dark halls and heavy atmosphere create a constant sense of tension that feels personal and deeply unsettling.

The story follows Grace Ashcroft, a young FBI analyst investigating mysterious deaths connected to Raccoon City. Unlike past heroes, Grace feels grounded and human. As she’s captured by the disturbing Victor Gideon and trapped inside the Rhodes Hill Chronic Care Center, her journey from frightened investigator to determined survivor becomes one of the game’s strongest elements. Series veteran Leon S. Kennedy also returns, bringing experience and style to the fight, as well as a roundhouse kick or two.

The game balances slow, anxiety-filled survival horror in its first half with more action-driven combat later on. While the early hours provide the biggest scares, the full experience remains gripping from start to finish.

Survive and Thrive

I was, admittedly skeptical at first, that the Nintendo Switch 2 could pull off the visuals and framerate comparable to the PC and console versions of the game. Nintendo’s hybrid console kept the gameplay smooth and responsive, targeting 60 frames per second on the platform. Over 15+ hours, performance remains steady with very few noticeable slowdowns. The only places I noticed some framerate dips were in rooms clustered with multiple infected especially ones that were larger, more animated, and detailed.

The pacing allows players time to explore and prepare rather than overwhelming them with nonstop action. Both docked and handheld modes work well and maintain the fluid gameplay throughout the campaign. Overall, the controls feel tight and modern, proving that the Switch 2 can handle a major release without feeling compromised.

Dead Good Gameplay

Resident Evil Requiem features a dual-campaign structure that alternates between two playable characters: Grace Ashcroft and Leon S. Kennedy. Grace’s sections lean heavily into classic survival horror, where resources are limited and every encounter feels dangerous. Leon’s segments, on the other hand, deliver more action-focused gameplay with larger combat moments. This balance helps the game appeal to both longtime survival horror fans and players who enjoy faster-paced action.

Exploration plays a huge role in the experience. Players move through eerie locations like the Wrenwood Hotel, Rhodes Care Center, a water treatment plant and more. Along the way you will be searching for keys, tools, and other items needed to unlock new areas. The maps are designed with a “mini-Metroidvania” structure, encouraging players to backtrack to previously explored locations to discover secrets or open paths that were inaccessible earlier. Along the way, players must also solve environmental puzzles and manage their limited inventory, often returning to safe rooms to store items and prepare for what comes next.

A unique crafting system adds another layer of tension. Grace can collect infected blood from defeated enemies to craft useful items or improve her abilities, but doing so is risky and time-consuming. Players must constantly decide whether to fight enemies head-on or sneak past them to conserve resources. The game also allows players to switch between first-person and third-person perspectives, offering flexibility in how they experience the horror-filled world.

A Symphony of Silence and Screams

The sound design plays a major role in building tension. Inside the Rhodes Hill Chronic Care Center, every drip of rain, distant clang, and flicker of failing lights adds to the unease. The building feels alive even in moments of silence.

The infected are terrifying to hear, with groans and breathing that make you question every step. Small audio details—like echoing gunshots, creaking doors, and shifting footsteps—add realism and immersion. There are a few infected characters that add to the horror-filled halls such as the singing lady and in the early part a hulking girl that gave me chills as she chased Grace down the hallways.

With headphones especially, the directional sound makes every encounter feel personal. The audio doesn’t just support the horror—it drives it. I played a majority of the game in low lighting and during a rain storm we had at our house. That alone added to the atmosphere of Rhodes Hill Chronic Care Center and a later game section that I won’t spoil here.

Beauty and the Beasts

While the Switch 2 version isn’t as visually powerful as PS5 or high-end PCs, it still delivers an impressive presentation. Dark indoor environments look especially strong, using shadows to enhance atmosphere and hide technical limitations. The mostly linear hallways and cramped spaces keep the details reigned in and manageable by the Switch 2.

Outdoor areas reveal softer textures and some rough edges, and the hair system isn’t as polished as on more powerful platforms. However, these issues are minor overall. The jaggedness of some of the textures and hair especially are noticeable but shouldn’t distract most gamers or take you out of the game itself.

Most importantly, the game feels complete and thoughtfully optimized rather than scaled down. If I only had a Switch 2, I wouldn’t feel slighted by the port and would feel grateful just to be able to play it on the go as well.

The Final Scarewell

Resident Evil Requiem is a major success for Nintendo Switch 2. Capcom clearly invested time and care into making this version run smoothly while preserving the core experience. To have this on the Switch 2 at launch alongside the other platforms is exciting. I do hope other developers take note in the future to put their titles day and date on Switch 2 hardware.

Though other platforms may offer sharper visuals, the Switch 2 edition stands confidently on its own—especially with the flexibility of handheld play. This release proves the system can handle modern blockbusters when given proper attention.

Rapid Reviews Rating

4.5 out of 5

4.5

Resident Evil: Requiem is available to purchase from the eShop here