Resident Evil Requiem, released on Feb. 27, 2026, has almost immediately become one of the most discussed video games produced as of this year. Having drawn the attention of millions of players worldwide, it has revived the hype of the long-running survival horror franchise. Critics have non-stop praises for the title’s blend of horror and action. Fan reactions reveal a bigger picture of a more balancing excitement, with nostalgia building higher expectations for the future of this beloved series.
For many longtime fans, Resident Evil Requiem returns to the series’ roots. Longtime fan Matthew Guzman said the game met his expectations by doing so, “I feel like the game has met my expectations and standards as a Resident Evil fan… The game has gone back to its original roots with the horror feeling and its jump scares.”
Guzman believes that the balance between survival horror and action complements the game’s nature by giving players a mix of tension and combat that defines the genre.
“I think the balance between survival-horror and action did work in its favor because it gives players both sides of the table,” he said.
Not everyone felt the game fully delivered on this concept though, as Josiah Baptiste, a senior here at AFYW, said the game was well-made but falls short on the theme of this being Resident Evil’s ‘Requiem.’
“The game was very well put together, but didn’t quite meet my expectations,” Josiah said. “With ‘Requiem’ meaning ‘the remembrance of’, it could’ve been a chance to bring back returning characters we haven’t seen in titles for a while.”
Both fans agreed that the game’s dual-protagonist structure was a strength. Josiah stated that the separate gameplay styles made the game more flexible. “Grace being survival horror and Leon being action … shows the game’s versatility and accessibility to players,” he said.
Guzman also highlighted that introducing a new female lead in the story felt refreshing, “It’s giving a different perspective… As a fan we want more story, more background knowledge and more in-depth gameplay.”
As for the future of the franchise, Josiah said Capcom could improve their newer installments with a more interactive experience, including player choices that affect outcomes similarly to what was present in the original Resident Evil (3) Nemesis.
“I would like to see a more interactive game in the future,” Josiah said. “Meaning choices players can make that affect the overall story.”
Despite the criticisms, both fans believed the game is a positive step forward toward the future of the series. Matthew said Requiem sets a strong basis, while Josiah said it hints at where the story could go next.
Still, Guzman is wary of a potential overrealiance on nostalgia in the future. It works for Requiem, but the series should focus on continuing to evolve in order maintain originality and tension.“Capcom better deliver the same energy for the remakes and RE10,” he said.
As Capcom looks ahead, fan reception is highly positive, suggesting the franchise’s success will depend on balancing innovation along with its legacy.
