'Resident Evil: Requiem' has arrived, snagging a solid 88 on Metacritic and proving its worth with some serious polish.

The critic scores for Resident Evil: Requiem went live at midnight on the 26th, local time. As of 10:00 AM, the PS5 version—boasting the largest sample size with 115 reviews—sits at 88. Meanwhile, the Xbox Series X/S version holds a 92 across 10 reviews, the PC port lands at 91 from 17 reviews, and the Nintendo Switch 2 version sits comfortably at 90.

The real triumph here is the balance between survival horror and action. Critics are buzzing about how Grace Ashcroft’s segments deliver genuine, suffocating dread, while Leon’s explosive combat sequences keep the momentum high. Many reviews suggest it feels like a masterful fusion of the terror found in the Resident Evil 2 remake and the punchy action of the Resident Evil 4 remake.

It is also being hailed as a grand culmination of the 30-year history of the 'Resident Evil' franchise. Long-time fans will find themselves right at home as the game revisits Raccoon City, weaving in nostalgic events and locales. It neatly ties up long-standing narrative threads while simultaneously sketching out a bold new direction for the future, leaving series veterans thoroughly satisfied.

On the technical front, the game is a marvel. Its realistic graphics, paired with sound design that leans heavily into the macabre, create a truly unsettling atmosphere. The level design is equally meticulous. Couple that with zombies that are significantly more intelligent and aggressive than in previous entries—not to mention the satisfying weight of the gunplay and the rattling, claustrophobic breathing of the characters—and you have a high-density experience that hits all the right notes.

However, it isn't entirely without its hiccups. Some critics point out a jarring shift in pacing where the two styles occasionally clash. Specifically, the suffocating horror of the first half tends to evaporate once the game pivots into Leon’s action-heavy sequences later on. Furthermore, the reliance on deep cuts and references to legacy locations might feel a bit like an impenetrable wall for newcomers jumping into the series for the first time.