For longtime fans of the series, Resident Evil 9 (officially titled Requiem) might feel like it’s pulling in multiple directions. But that so-called “identity crisis” is exactly what makes it so promising.
Instead of balancing between two dominant styles, Requiem goes all in on survival horror and third-person action and combines them well. Truth be told, Capcom made the smartest call there.
Who Is The RE9 Protagonist?
The game introduces a new protagonist, Grace Ashcroft, an FBI analyst thrust into a disturbing mystery set in a hotel soaked in trauma and dread.
In the first gameplay, she has very little to protect herself, only a lighter, screwdriver, and fuse, as something monstrous stalks her through the dark. The first-person gameplay in these segments calls back to the fear and isolation of Resident Evil 7 and the opening part of Village.
But Grace isn’t just a carbon copy of Ethan Winters. She’s more relatable, with personal stakes including her mother’s murder, odd events linked to her past, and trauma that hasn’t fully healed. Her section of the game centers on puzzles, suspense, and the unsettling sense of being watched.
As the plot thickens with Grace, it’s also believed that Leon S. Kennedy will make his comeback. Capcom hasn’t confirmed it, but leaks and franchise hints show Leon will appear in the second half with the style and intensity for which Resident Evil 4 is known.
This is where the so-called “crisis” turns into a clever move as Capcom is said to be adding a first and third person switch not just for accessibility or player choice. It’s a gameplay and story choice that mirrors the game’s twofold nature.
Will Requiem Deliver the Best of Both RE Worlds?
Yes, both these experiences exist within the same game.
Both slow-burn horror and stylish gunplay are part of the same game, and you get the full experience of both without choosing. Grace’s story delivers the emotional depth with themes of loss and vulnerability.
If the speculation pans out, Leon’s part will likely bring the fireworks, the iconic roundhouse kicks, and the satisfying third-person combat that made RE games famous.
It’s a fine line, but Capcom seems ready to handle it. Fans are already split on what they want Resident Evil to be. Some like the tense atmosphere of the first games and RE7, while others are drawn to the cinematic style and player freedom in RE4 Remake.
Rather than try to pick one lane and risk alienating half the fanbase, Capcom is owning the franchise’s entire identity. To be honest, that’s the best choice.
Even the rumors about Raccoon City being semi-open while avoiding an overly large sandbox show the game wants to deliver variety and contrast, not compromises.
Could This Really Be the Perfect End for the OG Timeline?
If Resident Evil 9 really is a sendoff for the “OG” timeline, as many fans suspect, then it makes perfect sense for Capcom to include both ends of the franchise’s identity.
Grace and Leon might represent two sides of the same coin: fear and strength, isolation and resolve suspense and chaos. And if done right, this won’t feel like an identity crisis at all.
It should give a sense of closure by packing all the elements that made Resident Evil iconic into one clear and daring experience.
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