It’s been 30 years since the original Resident Evil opened the Spencer Mansion for night of terror. Every moment was filled to the brim with the undead walking its halls and just as terrifying, genetically-modified creatures with a thirst to kill were right beside them. Tying this together was a mystery pulling players deeper into the abandoned building. Now, Capcom’s Resident Evil Requiem (or Resident Evil 9, for long-time fans) is here, and I am reflecting on how it, and the Resident Evil series as a whole, uses horror.
Long ago, in the early days before lore about B.O.W.s (Bio Organic Weapons), players were unsuspecting victims diving into danger. Survival horror excites and plays on the fear of the unknown and the fear for survival. Just when we think we can’t make it through, we find the courage through our hero to take the zombies – or Lickers … or cult members … or vampire bug woman – head-on. It’s a journey of horror that meets the action hero within ourselves. In Resident Evil Requiem, the sequel balances the hero and the victim together, but one is noticeably scarier than the other; fueled by its haunting reality.
Two paths into darkness.
Resident Evil Requiem is an interweaving story of two protagonists. Twenty-six years after the eradication of Raccoon City, FBI intelligence analyst Grace Ashcroft is sent to investigate the murders of Raccoon City survivors. The catch? Each of these victims is strangely covered in mutated black growths and markings. Unbeknownst to Grace, she is soon targeted by mysterious forces with a deadly agenda, one that may connect to the death of her mother, Resident Evil Outbreak survivor Alyssa Ashcroft.
Meanwhile, DSO agent (Division of Security Operations) Leon S. Kennedy is also investigating the rash of murders. Eventually, his investigation crosses paths with Grace, blending both narratives into one heart-pounding, action-packed adventure. Does Leon’s name sound familiar? It should, he’s THE Leon S. Kennedy. Survivor of Resident Evil 2, rescuer of the President’s daughter, the man with the flowing bang. His the franchise makes its own article – Leon has fought and survived a lot.
Analyzing the fear.
It’s important to understand Leon’s past because Resident Evil Requiem emphasizes the stark difference in its tone. Leon is all action and power, while Grace is horror and survival. One has the lived-in experience, and the other is a newbie. Don’t get me wrong, Grace is a capable protagonist. She fights hordes of mutated zombies and explores the creepiest locations. But one thing is made very clear: she doesn’t have the same field experience as past Resident Evil heroes.
Grace is an analyst – she works in intelligence. She has some FBI training, but she’s not a police officer or agent who has faced tougher dangers. Surprisingly, her boss sends her into the field, yet still all alone with no backup – seriously, no backup! Just a gun, a flashlight, and a file on the case.
Resident Evil Requiem recommends playing as Grace in first-person POV, intentionally seeing through her eyes and feeling her fear. It’s not just an aesthetic choice; this view is a gateway into a relatable experience. The player inhabits Grace, facing the reality as an ill-equipped survivor in a scary place.
The Final Girl.
Grace’s journey is like being trapped in a horror movie, one where survival horror comes alive. The lack of ammo, a weakness against mutated creatures, and the inexplicable sounds of screams and fear. Grace is afraid, yet she is resourceful and clever. She is Resident Evil‘s Final Girl.
At times, her fear and lack of skill are frustrating; a downside derived from the expectations of her FBI training. But that challenge is what makes her human – a quality that comes across as realer than anything. She faces horrifying zombies, mutated creatures with an untold strength, ready to kill her. She is badly injured often, and she loses a lot of blood early on. How well would any of us fare in a similar situation? How petrified would we be staring down the face of a T-Virus zombie? Two? Or a Blisterhead?
It’s safe to say most of us wouldn’t have the skills to physically fight enemies, let alone randomly find bullets lying around. Or a rocket launcher with infinite ammo! Resident Evil Requiem hits close to home because of Grace’s relatability. Just like Ethan Winters of Resident Evil 7: Biohazard or Rebecca Chambers of Resident Evil 0, she’s experiencing a reality outside of her comfort zone. What sets her apart is her fear. A fear that pulls all of us along with her.
The bang, the myth, the legend.
In contrast, there’s a comfort within Leon’s story. Whereas Grace is told through first-person POV, Leon is in third-person. Resident Evil Requiem heightens his action; the big, all-powerful secret agent who can do amazing tricks and feats of attack. You expect this of Leon S. Kennedy – the franchise tells us so. He’s beloved for his cool guy aesthetic, his quips, and just as importantly, his fighting ability. His decades of experience show us that he can battle any B.O.W. better than the rest.
That’s why we, as gamers, can relax whenever Leon is on screen. No matter the giant mutated creature, he has the firepower or the aptitude. Driving a motorcycle through an abandoned town? Absolutely! Wielding an all-powerful gun? It’s just another day at the office. There isn’t a sense of realism with Leon, but that’s okay in the grand scheme. He’s the escapism to break up the horrors rising from the dead. A feeling of action to balance the grounded terror that Grace encounters.
Fear comes home.
Resident Evil Requiem is a scary game. It’s not as spine-tingling as the mold creatures of Resident Evil 7: Biohazard, but its realistic tone plays off our fears. We could easily be like Grace: trapped in a mysterious place, with limited supplies around, and creatures that keep coming back to life. And of course, the darkness (there’s so much darkness!). Facing the terrors is a challenge all by itself, and believe me, you’re going to need a minute during Grace’s portion.
Resident Evil Requiem is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S/X, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC.
Featured images via Capcom
Justin is a fun-loving geek living in downtown Toronto, Canada. He’s an avid TV buff, movie fan, and gamer. He’s written for publications like Entertainment Weekly’s The Community, Virgin, TV Fanatic, FANDOM, The Young Folks, and his blog, City Boy Geekiness.
