Hands-On Preview Resident Evil Requiem: Extreme Contrast Between Leon's Brutal Action and Grace's Terrifying Horror

This trial session provides a clear picture of the “Dual Protagonist” system featured in this game. It’s not just a character switch; Resident Evil Requiem seems to offer two different games in one package: high-octane action ala veteran Leon S. Kennedy, and fragile classic survival horror with the new character, Grace.

Leon S. Kennedy: The Unstoppable Combat Veteran

If you miss the sensation of Resident Evil 4, Leon’s part is the answer. Unlike Grace, who is facing the biohazard nightmare for the first time, Leon appears as a figure seasoned in combat experience.

Walking Arsenal Leon is equipped with a deadly arsenal. Besides the standard pistol, he carries the “Requiem”—a high-destruction assault revolver—and a “Tomahawk” (hand axe). His combat mechanism is very aggressive; you can shoot the enemy’s legs or head until they stagger, then launch a melee attack with an iconic kick that can throw many enemies at once. There is even a brutal animation where Leon smashes the enemy’s head against the wall.

Parry Mechanism and Chainsaw Tug-of-War

One of the main highlights in Leon’s session is the fight against enemies armed with chainsaws. Leon no longer just runs away. By pressing the button at the right time (Parry), he can deflect attacks, create openings, and even perform a “tug-of-war” action to snatch the chainsaw from the enemy’s hands.

The sensation of splitting Infected using a confiscated chainsaw is truly amazing but risky: if you drop it due to damage, the enemy can pick it up again. This dynamic makes the battle feel very intense and strategic.

Leon’s inventory management uses an attache case system with ample capacity, allowing players to carry many bullets and weapons to wipe out enemies blocking the way.

Grace: Back to Classic Horror Roots

The transition to Grace’s part drastically changes the tone of the game. Here, you are no longer the hunter but the hunted. Set in a haunted Sanatorium, Grace’s section emphasizes strict resource management, puzzles, and fear of the unknown.

Terrifying Limitations Grace is not a soldier. The firearms she finds are weak, ammunition is scarce, and she only has a very small inventory. The knife she has can be used to attack or escape when captured (defense item), but its durability is very fragile and can break after just one use.

This forces players to think twice before pulling the trigger. Is it better to shoot the enemy’s legs to make them fall and then run, or take the risk of sneaking?

The Infected’s Obsessions and Mutations The Infected in Requiem have unique artificial intelligence (AI) based on their past obsessions.

• Light Obsession: Some enemies are obsessed with turning off lights. You can turn on lights on one side of the room to lure them away.
• Sound Sensitive: Enemies that will attack any source of sound, even attacking fellow Infected who groan too loudly.
• Singer: Female Infected who sing; their voice can awaken other enemies and disrupt your aiming focus.

Additionally, we found that if a zombie’s head is not completely destroyed, its corpse can rise again and mutate into a fierce and fast red creature (similar to Crimson Head in RE Remake), adding a layer of terror during backtracking.

Blood and Crafting Mechanism

A unique feature in Grace’s part is blood collection. Grace can take blood samples from puddles or enemy corpses to use in crafting. This blood can be concocted into bullets or “Hemolytic Ampules”—a deadly syringe that can kill enemies instantly (one-hit kill) or silently incapacitate them**.**

However, carrying blood bottles consumes very valuable inventory space. Players must constantly make trade-offs: carrying crafting materials, medicines, or key items for puzzles.

Antique Coin Upgrade System Exploring Grace’s area is also rewarded by finding “Antique Coins.” These coins can be inserted into a special machine to obtain permanent upgrades such as Side Pack (bag expansion), Stabilizer (weapon accuracy), or Steroids (health boost).

Two Complementary Sides of the Same Coin

Interestingly, these two campaigns are interconnected. In the demo, Leon visited an area previously passed by Grace. A jammed door that Grace could not open can be easily broken down by Leon using his axe. This difference in abilities makes the same location feel completely new when visited by different characters.

Resident Evil Requiem seems to successfully craft an ambitious formula: satisfying modern action fans while pampering classic survival horror lovers. The contrast between Leon’s toughness and Grace’s vulnerability creates fresh and non-monotonous gameplay dynamics.