Resident Evil Requiem Review (2026), Capcom’s Highest-Rated Horror Triumph – But Is It a Flawed Masterpiece?

Resident Evil Requiem has officially become the best-rated game of 2026 on Metacritic, earning an impressive 88 score and reclaiming Capcom’s throne in survival horror. Released as part of the franchise’s 30th anniversary celebration, the game blends psychological terror, refined combat systems, and nostalgic callbacks to classic entries but not without controversy.

Is this the most confident Resident Evil in a decade? Or does it lean too heavily on nostalgia while losing momentum in the second half? Let’s break down everything players need to know.

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🎮 A Historic Milestone for Capcom

With an 88 Metacritic score, Resident Evil Requiem currently stands as 2026’s highest-rated release. That puts it ahead of major AAA competitors and signals that survival horror is still commercially and critically powerful.

Capcom has carefully built this momentum:

• Strong remake strategy (RE2, RE3, RE4)
• Removal of controversial DRM like Denuvo from Resident Evil 4 Remake
• Continued engine optimization using the RE Engine

The company’s decision to remove Denuvo from RE4 Remake also restored goodwill among PC players, boosting trust ahead of Requiem’s launch.

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🧟 What Makes Resident Evil Requiem So Strong?

1️⃣ Survival Horror at Its Best and Weirdest

Requiem embraces both:

• Slow-burn psychological dread
• Over-the-top boss spectacle

Critics praise its confident opening hours, calling it the strongest introduction in years. Atmospheric level design, limited resources, and unsettling sound design return the franchise to its horror roots.

But it doesn’t shy away from silliness campy villains and exaggerated horror moments remain intact, preserving the series’ identity.

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2️⃣ Performance & Optimization

Performance benchmark reviews show:

• Stable 60 FPS on consoles (Performance Mode)
• 120Hz support on PS5 and Xbox Series X
• Excellent PC scalability
• Surprisingly efficient VRAM usage

The preload size and download footprint are moderate compared to recent AAA titles, making it more accessible for players with limited storage.

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🏆 Complete Trophy & Achievement Overview

Completionists will find:

• Hidden story-based trophies
• Hardcore difficulty achievements
• Speedrun rewards
• No-heal or limited-save challenges

Platinum hunters note that some achievements require multiple playthroughs which explains why some reviewers played the game up to nine times for full mastery.

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👹 Boss Battles- The Good, The Terrifying, The Brutal

Ahead of launch, critics revisited the series’ hardest boss fights including:

• Ramón Salazar (Resident Evil 4)
• Nemesis (Resident Evil 3)
• Lady Dimitrescu (Resident Evil Village)

Requiem introduces several boss fights that rank among the hardest in franchise history, blending:

• Environmental puzzles
• Tight ammo management
• Multi-phase transformations

Some boss encounters are being compared to the legendary Salazar fight in terms of intensity and tactical design.

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⚖️ Where Requiem Falls Short

Despite strong praise, several reviewers highlight issues:

• Second half pacing slows significantly
• Some combat arenas feel repetitive
• Narrative threads occasionally rely too much on franchise callbacks

One reviewer described it as:

“The series’ most confident game in the last decade but one that slightly loses its nerve in the final act.”

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🧠 Hidden Mechanics Pro Players Are Using

Veteran players have uncovered advanced strategies:

• Animation cancel windows for faster reloads
• Environmental damage stacking
• Precision limb targeting for ammo conservation
• Aggro manipulation during boss fights

These hidden mechanics significantly lower difficulty on hardcore modes.

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🌍 Geopolitical & Industry Context

Capcom’s global strategy matters:

• Japan’s gaming industry is pushing strong exports amid global trade tensions.
• US-China tech friction affects semiconductor supply chains.
• Currency fluctuations (yen weakness) improve Japanese publisher margins internationally.

Meanwhile, horror gaming is booming during uncertain geopolitical times. Analysts suggest darker, tension-filled narratives resonate during periods of global instability.

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📊 What Players Think

Positive Reactions:

✔️ “Best Resident Evil since RE2 Remake”
✔️ “Finally scary again”
✔️ “Boss fights are legendary”

Criticism:

❌ “Second half drags”
❌ “Too many callbacks”
❌ “Some sections feel padded”

Still, overall sentiment remains strongly positive.

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💰 Sales Forecast & Market Impact

Given its rating and momentum:

• Expected multi-million sales in first quarter
• Strong DLC potential
• Likely award contender in 2026 Game Awards
• Possible expansion into VR or story expansion packs

Capcom stock analysts predict steady growth if post-launch support remains strong.

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🔮 What Happens Next?

Possible future developments:

• Director’s Cut edition
• Hardcore challenge mode updates
• Cross-franchise collaborations
• Next mainline entry announcement in 2027

The franchise appears far from slowing down.

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🔥 lta’s Opinion

Resident Evil Requiem proves that survival horror doesn’t need constant reinvention it needs confidence. Capcom finally understands the balance between fear, action, and absurdity. While the second half struggles under the weight of its own ambition, the game’s mechanical polish and atmosphere outweigh its flaws.

This isn’t just nostalgia it’s evolution.

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❓ FAQ’s

Q1: Is Resident Evil Requiem worth buying at full price?

Yes especially for horror fans and franchise veterans.

Q2: How long is the game?

Average first playthrough: 15–20 hours
Completionist run: 35–50 hours

Q3: Is it scarier than Resident Evil Village?

Yes it leans more toward psychological horror than action spectacle.

Q4: Does it require playing previous games?

No, but prior knowledge enhances narrative depth.

Q5: Is there DLC planned?

While unconfirmed, strong sales suggest expansions are likely.

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🏁 Final Verdict

Resident Evil Requiem is a brutal, beautiful, occasionally flawed return to form, and currently the strongest game release of 2026.

It may not be perfect.

But survival horror has rarely felt this alive.

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