Resident Evil: Requiem launched February 27, 2026 to a Metacritic score of 88 across 116 critic reviews — the best mainline Resident Evil reception in over 20 years. But is the hype matched by the actual experience, and which players should buy now versus wait? Here's an honest buying guide based on critic reception and gameplay.
Yes — Resident Evil: Requiem is worth playing. With a Metacritic score of 88 across 116 critic reviews, RE9 is the best-reviewed mainline Resident Evil since RE4 (2005), more than 20 years ago. IGN scored it 9 / 10 and called it "the return of a series legend"; GameSpot gave it 8 / 10 noting it "refines the formula to a fine point." For Resident Evil fans, the answer is unambiguously buy. For newcomers, the answer is conditional — see below for which player profile fits.
If you're a Resident Evil fan with a current-gen console (PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2, or a capable PC), buy Resident Evil: Requiem at full price. The reviews are exceptional, the dual-protagonist design is genuinely fresh, and the 20-25 hour campaign is unusually well-paced for a modern AAA horror game.
If you're new to Resident Evil and on a budget, start with RE2 Remake or RE4 Remake (both heavily discounted now), then come back to RE9 when it drops to $40-50 — likely by late 2026.
If you bounced off the action-leaning RE6 or didn't enjoy the first-person horror of RE7, RE9 lands closer to the survival horror sweet spot than any mainline entry in two decades, per the GameSpot review's framing.
| Outlet | Score | Key takeaway |
|---|---|---|
| Metacritic aggregate | 88 / 100 | 116 critic reviews — best mainline RE Meta since RE4 (2005) |
| IGN | 9 / 10 | "Splices two strains of survival horror together" |
| GameSpot | 8 / 10 | "Refines the formula" but leans on nostalgia |
| OpenCritic Top Critic Avg | 89 / 100 | 95% of critics recommend |
Per VideoGamesChronicle and Insider Gaming reporting, RE9: Requiem has been one of the best-received games of 2026 — strong enough that Capcom is positioning it as a "return to form" comparable to the RE7 reinvention.
Grace Ashcroft and Leon Kennedy play meaningfully differently. Grace's chapters are horror-leaning, vulnerable, light-puzzle-heavy — closer to RE7 in feel. Leon's chapters lean action, with a confident DSO-veteran Leon closer to RE5-era Leon than RE2 Remake's rookie. The contrast keeps a 20+ hour playtime from feeling repetitive.
IGN's review noted that RE9 "unleashes a scarier breed of zombie alongside some truly beastly boss fights." The Care Center segment in particular generates real dread through body horror imagery, environmental detail, and tight enemy placement. After two action-leaning entries (Village, RE4 Remake), this feels like a deliberate return to horror priorities.
You can switch between first-person and third-person from the pause menu at any time. First-person amplifies Grace's vulnerability in tight Care Center hallways; third-person makes Leon's combat readable in arena fights. Most players settle into a preferred default within 30 minutes, but the option to toggle stays useful.
Per IGN's review and corroborating coverage at PCGamesN and GameRant, RE9's boss roster is the franchise's strongest. Eight named bosses (plus optional encounters) each have distinct mechanics: The Girl exploits light, the Titan Spinner exploits vertical space, the Blister Borne forces crowd-control management, Victor Gideon ties everything together in a two-phase final fight with QTE finisher.
GameSpot noted some pacing issues, particularly in Grace's middle Care Center chapters. The horror tension is well-executed but extends slightly longer than necessary — some players will feel the second Care Center loop drag.
Several reviews flagged that RE9 leans heavily on Resident Evil 2 nostalgia, especially in the Raccoon City Center and ruins of the RPD. For series veterans this is a strength; for newcomers, much of the emotional weight evaporates because you don't have the context.
The final segments and ending choices have been described as mixed by reviewers. The "Release Elpis" ending (which unlocks the Victor Gideon final fight) is widely considered the canonical good ending; the alternative paths have less narrative weight.
RE9 includes optional cosmetic and ammo-unlock microtransactions via the Special Content Store. None affect trophy progression and all unlocks are also earnable via gameplay, but their presence has generated some review criticism.
At launch pricing ($60-70 depending on region), RE9 offers roughly 20-25 hours of main campaign, 30-50+ hours of completionist content, and high replay value through New Game Plus and Insanity difficulty. The cost-per-hour math is competitive with other AAA singleplayer titles.
By late 2026, expect the first Black Friday discount cycle to drop RE9 to $40-50, which is a clearly excellent value. By mid-2027, expect $30 ranges similar to where RE Village sits now.
If you want it day-one, full price is fully justified by review quality and gameplay value. If you can wait six months, the discount lock-step with other Capcom titles is reliable.
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