SPOILER ALERT: The following article contains major plot revelations, ending details, and character fates for Resident Evil 9: Requiem. Proceed only if you have finished the game or don't mind the secrets of Raccoon City being unearthed!

The trauma of Raccoon City is a scar on the Resident Evil universe that refuses to fade. While the modern era of the franchise often leans into a “clean,” clinical aesthetic—transitioning from the mold-infested bayous of Louisiana to high-tech European laboratories—the visceral decay of 1998 remains the series’ foundational ghost. Resident Evil 9: Requiem does not merely revisit this history; it interrogates the foundational sins of Oswell Spencer. Through the eyes of Grace Ashcraft, eight years after the brutal murder of her mother Alyssa, players are forced to confront the reality that some biological legacies are never truly buried.

Takeaway 1: The Molecular Ghost—Raccoon City Syndrome’s 30-Year Fuse

Perhaps the most chilling narratological shift in Requiem is the revelation that the nightmare of 1998 was never actually resolved for its survivors. The introduction of “Raccoon City Syndrome” recontextualizes the T-virus as a ticking time bomb. The game reveals a terrifying biological mechanic: residual T-virus particles have remained dormant within survivors for nearly thirty years.

For three decades, the bodies of heroes like Leon S. Kennedy and Sherry Birkin have been a battlefield where antibodies held the infection at bay. However, the virus has slowly gained immunity to those very antibodies, reactivating with lethal force in 2026. The symptoms—spreading black bruises and terminal hemoptysis (coughing blood)—provide a grim physical manifestation of a past that refuses to stay in the rearview mirror.

“Reports suggest that they only have about an hour or two left before they die. And so far all results have been fatal.”

Takeaway 2: The Elpis Subversion—Spencer’s Antiviral “Goddess of Hope”

For much of the campaign, the antagonists Dr. Victor Gideon and the Wesker-imitation, Zeno, hunt for “Elpis.” They operate under the delusion that it is a mind-control superweapon—the ultimate tool for biological supremacy. However, the game pulls a masterful subversion: Elpus is actually a “skeleton key” antiviral.

Named after the Greek goddess of hope, Elpis was Spencer’s secret attempt to atone for his “Pandora’s Box.” It was designed as a universal cure for the entire Progenitor-based family of viruses, including the T, G, C, T-Veronica, T-Phobos, and TG strains. This shift from god-complex villainy to terminal-stage remorse is captured on an MO disc containing Spencer’s own confession:

“His research opened up Pandora’s box and so every death is his fault... To make amends he took in a young girl.”

Takeaway 3: Grace Ashcraft—The Ordinary Girl vs. The Recombinant Legion

In a franchise increasingly populated by super-soldiers and mutated “Chosen Ones,” Grace Ashcraft represents a radical return to humanity. The villains believe Grace is a biological key, and they spent decades trying to replicate her through horrific experiments on hundreds of orphans. These victims, including Marie, Emily, and Khloe, were subjected to “recombinant DNA” manipulation in a futile effort to find “power” in Grace’s genetic makeup.

The tragic irony revealed in the Ark facility is that Grace is special precisely because she is un-mutated. She is a regular human whom Spencer raised at a distance—safeguarded by Alyssa Ashcraft—to ensure she remained untainted by his biological legacy. She was intended to be the one to release Elpis because her very lack of mutation made her the only viable candidate to trigger the cure.

Takeaway 4: The Shadow of the Pentagon—Political Decay in 2026

Requiem paints a bleak picture of a world where the line between the “good guys” and the bioterrorists has completely dissolved. By 2026, the US government has officially withdrawn from the Treaty of Prohibition on bio-organic weapons, sparking a new global arms race. This corruption has metastasized within the BSAA, specifically the North American branch, which is now revealed to be a puppet of the Pentagon and the shadowy syndicate known as “The Connections.”

This “New Umbrella” era is characterized by an obsession with the past. The presence of a “Hunk-like” commander and the deployment of the T-501 Tyrant model—a modern refinement of the original T-103 (Mr. X)—highlights a desperate attempt by rogue organizations to reclaim the biological “glory days.” Even Zeno himself is a ludological homage to Albert Wesker, acting as a hollow imitation of a man who once nearly broke the world.

Takeaway 5: Why It’s Called “Requiem”—A Meta-Tribute to the Classics

The title Requiem is more than just a somber name; it is a mourning ritual for the series’ roots. The narrative loop requires players to return to the ruins of Raccoon City, exploring locations like the Stagler gas station and the Kendo gun shop. Most poignantly, the return to the RPD feels like a visit to a tomb.

The STARS office remains as a haunting museum of the 1998 incident. Seeing Jill’s beret, Chris’s jacket, and Rebecca Chambers’ photo frozen in time serves as a powerful meta-tribute. By finally resolving the lingering T-virus infection and Spencer’s final secret, the game performs a literal requiem for the Umbrella era, allowing the legacy of 1998 to finally find a sense of closure.

Conclusion: A World Without Viruses?

The “Release Elpus” alternate ending offers a rare moment of genuine hope. With the deployment of the universal cure, Leon and Sherry are saved from the terminal stages of Raccoon City Syndrome. Even Emily, the victim of Gideon’s experiments, survives her mutation and regains her sight because Leon—acting on a veteran’s instinct—avoided shooting her in any vital areas during their confrontation.

But as the dust settles over the ruins of the Ark, a graver question remains. Spencer’s “Goddess of Hope” has rendered the world’s most dangerous bioweapons obsolete, yet The Connections remain active and the global political landscape is in shambles. If a universal cure now exists, does the threat of bio-terrorism truly end, or has the world simply entered a new, more chaotic era of anarchy where the rules of biological warfare have been permanently deleted?

― ZzennGame Reviews and Guides

Congratulations on finishing your first playthrough of Resident Evil Requiem (also known as RE9)! One of the most exciting rewards for beating the main story is unlocking the Special Content menu (sometimes labeled Bonus Content). This is the game’s dedicated New Game+ shop and extras hub, where you spend Completion Points (CP)—the currency earned from challenges—on powerful weapons, gameplay-altering items, cosmetics, maps, and even cheats like infinite ammo.

It turns future runs (on Standard, Insanity, or for speedruns/achievements) into a more customizable experience, whether you want to blast through on maximum difficulty, hunt every collectible, or just have fun with overpowered gear. All purchases are permanent and carry over to future playthroughs.

How Special Content Works

• Access: From the main title screen, go to the Bonuses or Special Content section. It becomes available immediately after your first story completion.

• Completion Points (CP): Displayed in the top-right (e.g., your 400 CP in the screenshots). You earn CP by completing account-wide challenges (progression milestones, combat feats, collectibles, speedruns, no-healing runs, etc.). Many challenges can be tackled across multiple playthroughs or by reloading saves strategically.

• Menu Navigation: Tabs include ALL, WEAPONS, ITEMS, and COSTUMES. Highlight any item to see its full description, cost, and any unlock conditions on the right panel. Purchased items show a red checkmark. To buy, select and confirm (e.g., “HOLD F” as shown).

• Obtaining Items In-Game:

  • Grace: Collected from the Item Box (next to typewriters in save rooms).

  • Leon: Collected from the Supply Box.

• Conditions: Some items require specific accomplishments beyond CP (e.g., Infinite Ribbon ties into the “Speed Demon” challenge).

Purchases like weapons and charms appear ready to equip or use right away in new games, making replays far less punishing.

Key Categories and Notable Unlockables

Here’s a breakdown based on the in-game menu (matching your screenshots) and full lists from guides:

Weapons

Powerful unique firearms and melee tools that appear in boxes. Many are character-specific and excel in different playstyles.

• Grace-focused: Freya’s Needle (machine pistol, ~4,000 CP), Kotetsu (unbreakable knife, ~5,000 CP—huge for her survival-horror segments).

• Leon-focused: Matilda IMP (burst-fire handgun, 500 CP—already checked in your screenshot), Ghost Grudge (demonic revolver using 12.7x55mm, 1,000 CP—highlighted in one of your images), Redemption (~3,500 CP), Clatter Carbine (suppressed assault rifle, ~6,000 CP), Mortal Edge (parry-focused axe, ~3,000 CP), RPG-7 (~15,000 CP).

• Infinite variants: Infinite Ammo (Guns, 50,000 CP) and Infinite Ammo (RPG-7, 35,000 CP) are late-game “cheats” toggleable in options.

Items & Upgrades

These include quality-of-life tools, resource boosters, and collectible helpers.

• Raccoon Roundup Maps (Rhodes Hill and Raccoon City, ~200–300 CP each—your screenshot shows Raccoon City at 300 CP): These mark all 25 Mr. Raccoon Memoriams (adorable collectible bobbleheads) on your map. One is already checked (Rhodes Hill); the other is highlighted. Extremely high value—finding all Mr. Raccoons rewards extra CP and unlocks Advanced Tuning.

• Infinite Ribbon (Grace) (highlighted in your second screenshot): Never runs out at typewriters for unlimited saves. Often tied to the Speed Demon challenge (story in under 4 hours).

• Charms: Rugged Rookie Charm (Grace, 6,500 CP—increases firepower), Trusted Companion Charm (Leon—already checked in screenshots, boosts handgun penetration).

• Other upgrades: Matsuoka Master Manual (Grace, ~1,000 CP: +50 Blood Collector capacity for crafting), Tactical Tracker (Modded) (Leon, 3,000 CP: more credits per kill), Advanced Tuning (Leon: extra weapon upgrade tier—unlocked by destroying all Mr. Raccoons, no CP cost), Infinite Durability (Hatchets, 20,000 CP).

Costumes

Purely cosmetic but fun for replay value.

• FBI Attire (Grace, 500 CP)

• R.P.D. Uniform (Leon, 500 CP)

Your screenshots show 5/21 items already unlocked/purchased, which is a solid start after one playthrough.

Suggested Order of Purchases for Future Playthroughs

You won’t have enough CP to buy everything after one run (high-end cheats like full Infinite Ammo cost tens of thousands), so prioritize smartly. Focus on net-positive, low-cost, high-impact items first to snowball your CP and make later runs easier. Here’s a recommended progression for most players (balanced survival + action focus):

1. Raccoon Roundup Maps (Rhodes Hill + Raccoon City, ~500–600 CP total) Buy these immediately. They help you find all 25 Mr. Raccoons fast (worth ~4,000 CP reward + Advanced Tuning unlock). Massive return on investment and makes collectible hunting trivial.

2. Cheap Starters & Quality-of-Life (under 2,000 CP total)

   • Matilda IMP (Leon, 500 CP)

   • Ghost Grudge (Leon, 1,000 CP)

   • Matsuoka Master Manual (Grace, 1,000 CP)

   • Costumes (500 CP each)

   • Tactical Tracker (Modded) (Leon, 3,000 CP—if you have spare) These give immediate firepower, resource gains, and crafting boosts with almost no investment.

3. Core Playstyle Enhancers (5,000–7,000 CP range)

   • Kotetsu (Grace, 5,000 CP): Unbreakable knife—eliminates durability frustration in Grace’s segments.

   • Rugged Rookie Charm (Grace, 6,500 CP): Passive firepower boost for her pistol-heavy play.

   • Trusted Companion Charm (Leon—if not already owned).

4. Advanced/Cheat Tier (after multiple runs, 10k+ CP)

   • Infinite Ribbon (if challenge not yet completed).

   • Advanced Tuning (via all Raccoons).

   • Stronger weapons like Clatter Carbine (6k) or RPG-7 (15k).

   • Infinite Ammo/Durability options (20k–50k CP) for Insanity mode or casual blasts.

Playstyle Adjustments:

• Grace-focused (survival horror): Prioritize Kotetsu, Rugged Rookie Charm, and Matsuoka Master Manual.

• Leon-focused (action): Prioritize Tactical Tracker, Ghost Grudge, and Clatter Carbine.

• Speedrun/Insanity grind: Chase Infinite Ribbon early via the 4-hour Speed Demon challenge, then infinite ammo later.

Replaying on lower difficulties while reloading saves lets you stack multiple high-CP challenges (e.g., Speed Demon + no-healing + blood collection) efficiently.

Pro Tips

• CP Farming: Challenges are one-time only, but progress (like blood collection or kills) carries over. Focus on high-reward ones like “Never Touch the Stuff” (35k CP), “Speed Demon” (20k CP), and “Remarkable Agent” (Insanity clear, 40k CP).

• Mr. Raccoons: Always worth it—maps make them trivial.

• Infinite Ribbon Note: Keep it in your inventory when saving (it takes a slot but is worth it). Some players equip it only when needed.

• No “Cheating” Guilt: This is official bonus content designed for replays. It doesn’t affect rankings or achievements negatively.

• Backup Saves: Manually save before big sections if farming specific challenges.

Special Content is what makes Resident Evil Requiem infinitely replayable. Start small with the maps and cheap weapons, watch your CP snowball, and soon you’ll be tearing through Raccoon City (and beyond) with unstoppable force. Enjoy the chaos—whether you’re hunting every last adorable rascal or going full infinite-ammo god mode. If you’ve got specific CP totals or playstyle preferences, you can fine-tune this order even further!

― ZzennGame Reviews and Guides

Congradulations for completing your first play through of Resident Evil Requiem. But it is just the beginning of this fantastic game. This article breaks down the Challenges that unlock more exciting adventures in RE9.

The second playthrough is where the game truly opens up—mechanics deepen, encounters evolve, and the 30 in-game challenges push you to engage with systems you may have only skimmed the first time. This guide breaks down each challenge, what it really asks of you, and how to approach it efficiently on your next run.

Strategic Advice for Your Second Playthrough

A second run isn’t just about doing more—it’s about doing things smarter:

1. Route planning matters: Combine multiple challenges in one run where possible.

2. Specialize your build: Focus on one weapon for upgrades and one for crowd control.

3. Master parrying early: It trivializes many encounters later.

4. Save rare ammo: Requiem shots and injectors are for challenges, not general combat.

5. Think like a speedrunner: Even if you’re not rushing, efficiency helps with survival.

All 30 Challenges Explained

These are largely unmissable, but understanding their pacing helps optimize routing and resource use.

1. Déjà vu: The Wrenwood Incident

The Vibe: A chillingly familiar nightmare in a new setting.

Wrenwood serves as your “Combat Kindergarten.” While the atmosphere is thick with dread, the enemies here are intentionally sluggish. This is the best time to calibrate your settings and get a feel for the physics of the world.

• Strategy: Don’t get greedy with ammo. Practice the Perfect Dodge on the isolated shamblers near the gas station. If you can master the timing here, the rest of the game becomes significantly more manageable.

• Key Lesson: Every bullet saved in Wrenwood is a bullet you’ll desperately need once you hit the Care Center.

2. Descent Into Darkness: The Sub-Levels

The Vibe: Claustrophobia as a gameplay mechanic.

The transition to the basement levels of the Care Center shifts the game from “Action-Horror” to “Survival-Horror.” The corridors are narrow, making it impossible to run past enemies without a plan.

• Strategy: Use the Flashlight sparingly—light attracts certain “crawling” variants. Lean into stealth kills using the hatchet to preserve your handgun magazines.

• Pro Tip: Listen for the sound of scraping metal; it indicates an enemy is around a corner before your light can even catch them.

3. It’s Been a Long Night: The Courtyard

The Vibe: A false sense of freedom under a blood-red moon.

The Courtyard is the first time the game throws threats at you from 360 degrees. Between the verticality of the balconies and the bushes hiding “Stray Dogs,” your spatial awareness will be pushed to the limit.

• Strategy: On a second run, prioritize the Bolt Cutters to open the side gate immediately. This bypasses the most dangerous ambush in the center of the garden.

• Focus: Keep moving. If you stand still to aim for more than three seconds, something is likely sneaking up behind you.

4. A Harsh Reality: The Great Escape

The Vibe: The realization that nowhere is truly safe.

Escaping the Care Center is a marathon, not a sprint. This segment forces you to manage a dwindling inventory while the game introduces “Pursuer” mechanics where certain enemies will follow you through “Safe” rooms.

• Strategy: Stop hoarding your Green Herbs. If you’re in “Caution” status, heal. The enemies in this transition phase have higher crit chances, and a sudden death here can set you back significantly.

• Inventory Tip: Discard key items the moment they get the “Checkmark” in your menu to free up slots for ammo.

5. Going Down?: The Lift Gauntlet

The Vibe: A high-speed, high-stakes combat arena.

The suspended platform is a classic Resident Evil set-piece. You are trapped in a moving box while waves of enemies drop from above or climb the sides.

• Strategy: Use Environmental Hazards. There are fuel canisters on the platform—don’t blow them up immediately. Wait until the platform is swarmed to get the most “bang for your buck.”

• Weapon Choice: This is the time to pull out the Shotgun. It’s the king of “crowd control” in confined spaces.

6. The Hero Returns: Raccoon City Centre

The Vibe: Urban decay and tactical exploration.

Arriving at the City Centre marks the midpoint of the game. The map opens up, offering multiple paths to the same objective. This is where your knowledge of shortcuts becomes your greatest asset.

• Strategy: Focus on the Supply Boxes near the subway entrance first. These contain the parts for the “Long Barrel” upgrade, which is essential for the long-range engagements coming up.

• Replay Tip: Memorize the “Safe Code” locations early to grab the Magnum rounds hidden in the pharmacy.

7. I Remember That, Too: The T-501 Super Tyrant

The Vibe: A brutal reminder of Umbrella’s greatest successes.

The T-501 is a “Skill Check” boss. He is designed to punish players who rely solely on distance. If you just run, he will eventually catch you with his leap attack.

• Strategy: Stay close to his “Small Arm” side. His attacks are more predictable there.

• The Key: You must parry his overhead swing. A successful parry stuns him for four seconds, allowing you to land a high-damage weak-point shot on his exposed core.

8. Umbrella’s Legacy: Finding the ARK

The Vibe: Solving the puzzle of a dying conspiracy.

The hunt for the ARK entrance is heavy on environmental puzzles and backtracking. The challenge here isn’t the combat, but the mental map you build of the facility.

• Strategy: Combine your notes. The clues for the entrance are scattered across three different floors.

• Efficiency: Use the Map’s “Room Clearing” feature. If a room is red, there is still a key item inside. Don’t leave a floor until every room is blue.

9. The Final Mission: The Depths of ARK

The Vibe: All-out bio-organic warfare.

The lowest levels of the ARK are where the game stops holding back. You’ll face every enemy type you’ve encountered, often in mixed groups (e.g., a Licker paired with Shamblers).

• Strategy: Bring a Balanced Loadout. You need the Handgun for precision, the Shotgun for space, and the Requiem for the heavy-hitters.

• Resource Management: This is the “End of the World” moment—if you have grenades left, use them. There’s no point in saving them for a final boss if you die in the hallway.

10. Hope and Requiem: The Final Curtain

The Vibe: A hard-earned victory.

Completing the main story is just the beginning of the Requiem experience. Your final rank (S, A, B, or C) is calculated based on time, saves, and healing items used.

• The Reward: Clearing the story unlocks New Game Plus and the “Infinite Combat Knife,” which is essential for attempting the higher “Agent” difficulty ranks.

• Strategy: For your first completion, don’t worry about the timer. Focus on seeing every ending and unlocking the “Master Chemist” achievement to make your next run easier.

These define your mastery curve.

11. Rookie Agent: Casual Difficulty

The Vibe: A focused “Power Trip” and Lore hunt.

This mode is designed for those who want to experience the narrative without the constant threat of a “Game Over” screen. Enemies have significantly reduced health and aggression, and your own resilience is bolstered.

• Key Features: Stronger Aim Assist, generous ammo drops, and automatic health regeneration (up to a certain threshold).

• Best For: Completing missed achievements, hunting for hidden collectibles, or testing out high-powered unlockable weapons without pressure. It’s the perfect playground for experimentation.

12. Rising Agent: Standard (Modern)

The Vibe: The “Goldilocks Zone” of modern survival horror.

This is the intended experience for most players on a second playthrough. It strikes a curated balance between tension and capability. Resources are sufficient if you’re accurate, but wastefulness will still leave you clicking on an empty chamber.

• Key Features: Checkpoints are frequent, and the game utilizes “Dynamic Difficulty” to subtly adjust to your performance.

• Best For: Those who want a cinematic experience that respects their time while still demanding respect for the monsters lurking in the halls.

13. Resolute Agent: Standard (Classic)

The Vibe: A love letter to the 1990s survival horror roots.

“Resolute” strips away the safety nets of modern gaming. It’s not just about how well you shoot, but how well you think. Combat is harsher, but the real challenge lies in the logistics.

• Key Features: Limited Saves (requires Ink Ribbons or a similar consumable), no auto-saves, and significantly reduced inventory space. Enemies are placed in more “tactical” positions to catch you off guard.

• Best For: Veterans who miss the anxiety of a long trek back to a Typewriter. Every door opened is a risk, and every save is a milestone.

14. Remarkable Agent: Insanity Difficulty

The Vibe: A harrowing, perfectionist nightmare.

This isn’t just a game mode; it’s a test of memory and discipline. In Insanity, the environment itself is your primary antagonist. A single mistake—a missed shot, a wrong turn, or a wasted herb—can end a run.

• Key Features: Enemies are faster, more resilient, and can often one-shot a player in “Caution” status. Resources are so scarce that you must often choose between killing a single enemy or saving that ammo for a boss.

• Best For: The elite. You must master the “Art of the Dodge” and know the map layout by heart. If you aren’t running away from 70% of encounters, you likely won’t survive the final act.

15. The Hunt Begins: Survival Instincts

The Vibe: A frantic game of “Hide and Seek” where you are the prey.

Your first encounter with “The Girl” is designed to induce panic. She is faster than you and currently invulnerable to your standard arsenal. This challenge isn’t about fighting back—it’s about spatial awareness.

• Strategy: Use the environment to your advantage. Look for tight corners and loopable obstacles like tables or kitchen islands.

• Pro Tip: Listen for the humming; the louder it gets, the closer she is. Don’t waste your bullets—save your stamina for the final dash to the cellar door.

16. Untouchable: Master of Defense

The Vibe: Precision under pressure.

The parry mechanic is the difference between life and death in Requiem. A successful parry doesn’t just negate damage; it often creates a massive opening for a counter-attack.

• Strategy: Watch the enemy’s shoulders. Most enemies have a “tell” right before they lung. Tap the block button just as the swing enters your personal space.

• Practice: The “Shamblers” in the courtyard are slow and predictable—perfect for getting your rhythm down before you face the more erratic variants.

17. Can I Borrow This?: Environmental Theft

The Vibe: Scrappy, desperate improvisation.

Ammo is a luxury, but the environment is full of “disposable” lethality. Many enemies carry makeshift tools that they drop when staggered by a limb shot.

• Strategy: Aim for the knees or the weapon arm. Once the enemy flinches and drops their pipe or cleaver, sprint in and interact to heavy-throw it back at them.

• Benefit: This is an excellent way to thin out a crowd without spending a single casing.

18. Chop Chop: The Executioner

The Vibe: Calculated brutality.

The Hatchet is your most reliable friend when things get messy. However, the finisher move is a high-risk, high-reward animation that leaves you briefly invulnerable but requires precision setup.

• Strategy: Use your handgun to “soften” enemies. Two shots to the chest usually put a standard zombie into the “Staggered” state (marked by a subtle yellow glow or a slumped posture).

• Execution: Close the distance quickly and initiate the prompt. It’s an instant kill that saves you from a prolonged melee brawl.

19. Bang For Your Buck: Maximum Efficiency

The Vibe: The ultimate “clearing the room” moment.

The Requiem shot is a high-yield explosive or piercing round (depending on your upgrades). This challenge rewards patience and “kiting” skills.

• Strategy: Don’t fire at the first enemy you see. Backpedal into a narrow hallway or a doorway to force the AI to “stack” behind one another.

• Execution: Wait until you see three silhouettes overlapping in your sights. Aim for the center mass of the middle enemy to ensure the splash damage or penetration covers the trio.

20. Cat Got Your Tongue?: The Ultimate Reflex

The Vibe: Shutting down a nightmare.

Lickers are the bane of any run, and their long-range tongue lash is their most frustrating move. Parrying it requires nerves of steel and perfect frame-timing.

• Strategy: Maintain a medium distance. When the Licker recoils its head and sways slightly, it’s about to lash out.

• The Window: Hit the parry button the moment you hear the “hissing” sound of the tongue extending. Success will leave the Licker stunned and vulnerable to a follow-up hatchet strike.

21. Internal Dispute: Tactical Manipulation

The Vibe: Let them do the dirty work for you.

Blind Zombies (Hearing-based) and Maid Zombies (Screamers) have a volatile relationship. You can use their unique AI behaviors to trigger “friendly fire.”

• Strategy: Lead a Blind Zombie toward a Maid Zombie. Stand near the Maid and throw a brick or fire a shot to make her scream.

• The Result: The Blind Zombie will interpret the Maid’s scream as a threat and lunge. If you’ve positioned yourself correctly, you can slip away while they tear each other apart.

22. Bring Out the Big Guns: Stopping Power

The Vibe: Turning the tables on your stalker.

“The Girl” is relentless, but she isn’t unstoppable. A well-placed Requiem headshot is one of the few things that can actually drop her to one knee, buying you precious minutes of exploration time.

• Strategy: This is a “Stop or I’ll Shoot” moment. Wait for her to begin her “Lunge” animation—her head will be most stable during this wind-up.

• Warning: Requiem ammo is the rarest resource in the game. Only attempt this if you are trapped or need to clear a room she is guarding heavily.

23. Fatal Dose: Chemical Warfare

The Vibe: A clinical end to a messy problem.

The Hemolytic Injector is a specialized tool that injects a necrotic agent directly into the bloodstream. It’s an “all-in” move because it requires you to be in grappling range.

• Strategy: This is best reserved for “Elite” enemies or mini-bosses with high health pools.

• Execution: Bait an attack, dodge, and use the injector prompt while their back is turned. The chemical will do the rest, melting their health bar over several seconds while you retreat to a safe distance.

24. Retail Therapy: Economic Foundation

The Vibe: Capitalism is the only thing the virus couldn’t kill.

Supply boxes are your lifeline in the field. This challenge isn’t just about spending; it’s about acknowledging that you cannot survive on found loot alone. Opening that first box triggers the “Merchant” flag, allowing you to see supply nodes on your map for the rest of the game.

• Strategy: Buy a storage expansion or basic medicine as soon as you find the first terminal in the safe room.

• Pro Tip: Don’t hoard your currency in the early game—investing in utility early pays dividends in survivability during the first boss.

25. Tailor Made: Maximum Lethality

The Vibe: This is my rifle; there are many like it, but this one is mine.

The upgrade system in Requiem is expensive. If you try to upgrade every gun you find, you’ll end up with a trunk full of mediocre hardware. This challenge rewards the “specialist” mindset.

• Strategy: Choose a “Workhorse” weapon—usually the Standard Issue Handgun or the Survival Hatchet.

• The Goal: Focus all your blood samples and scrap into one weapon until you hit the “Exclusive” upgrade. A fully kitted handgun is often more lethal than a base-level Magnum.

26. Blood! More Blood!: The Great Harvest

The Vibe: Leaving no corpse un-looted.

Microsamples are the primary currency and crafting component in Requiem. Collecting 300 sounds daunting, but it encourages a “scorched earth” playstyle where you leave no room unchecked.

• Strategy: Don’t just walk past downed enemies; use the Sample Extractor tool on them. Lab areas and surgical theaters contain high concentrations of loose samples in vials.

• Warning: The game tracks cumulative samples, so feel free to spend them—you don’t need to hold 300 at once to trigger this.

27. Science!: The Lore Hunter

The Vibe: Stopping to smell the... antiseptic.

The Blood Lab is a high-tension area, and many players sprint through it to avoid the prowling Bio-Organic Weapons (BOWs). However, the Analyzer provides critical context for the plot and reveals enemy weaknesses.

• Strategy: Clear the immediate room of “Maid Zombies” before interacting with the terminal.

• Reward: Using the analyzer often updates your “Bestiary,” giving you a damage bonus against the enemy types you’ve scanned.

28. The Power of Blood: Hematic Alchemist

The Vibe: Better living through bio-hazardous chemistry.

The Blood Collector is a specialized crafting station that goes beyond basic herb mixing. It allows you to create high-tier items like “Adrenaline Shots” or “Corrosive Rounds.”

• Strategy: Look for “Pure Samples” in refrigerated units within the labs. Combining these with your standard microsamples at the Collector is how you access the game’s most powerful consumables.

• Benefit: Crafted items from the Collector often have secondary effects, such as temporary stamina boosts or increased parry windows.

29. Road Rage: Anti-Ballistic Reflexes

The Vibe: Fast & Furious, but with more mutants.

The highway chase with Victor is a high-speed set piece. When he readies his rocket launcher, the screen’s borders will pulse red. This is your cue to act—not to dodge, but to strike.

• Strategy: Keep your most accurate weapon loaded. You don’t need to kill him; you just need to land a shot on the launcher’s battery pack or Victor’s head during the 2-second wind-up.

• Outcome: Successfully interrupting the attack prevents a massive amount of “Vehicle Damage” and grants you a window to pour lead into his weak points.

30. Out of Sight, Out of Mind: Ghost in the Machine

The Vibe: Hide-and-seek with lethal stakes.

Playing as Grace is a different experience—she lacks the heavy weaponry of the other protagonists. This challenge highlights her unique ability to use Item Boxes as hiding spots, a mechanic that subverts the traditional “safe zone” logic.

• Strategy: During pursuit sequences, if you break the enemy’s line of sight, you can climb into an Item Box.

• The Twist: While inside, you can still manage your inventory and move items to other boxes, effectively “teleporting” supplies to a future safe room while you wait for the threat to pass.

On with the Adventure

The brilliance of Resident Evil Requiem lies in how these challenges reshape your understanding of the game. What felt like a linear survival horror experience becomes a layered system of risk, precision, and planning.

I hope this break down helps you in your gameplay and gives you the necessary understanding to get the most out of the Resident Evil Requiem adventure.

― ZzennGame Reviews and Guides

It’s been roughly two months since Resident Evil Requiem dropped on February 27, 2026, and the internet has been on fire with hot takes. Some are calling it the best mainline entry since Resident Evil 4. Others say it’s too short, too linear, or that the new protagonist Grace Ashcroft gets on their nerves.

To be exact, I’ve now sunk 35.5 hours into the game and I’m currently on my second play through. Here’s my take on the RE9 adventure.

The Setup That Hooks You Immediately

Requiem follows FBI analyst Grace Ashcroft as she investigates a wave of mysterious deaths tied to Raccoon City survivors. Her story intertwines with a returning Leon S. Kennedy, and you constantly switch between the two characters, each with their own distinct gameplay style.

I think this first-person/third-person trade off is a fantastic addition to the gaming experience especially for gamers like me who favor third-person when there’s so many first-person games I would love to play.

Grace’s sections lean hard into classic survival horror: scarce resources, tense exploration, inventory management, and pure dread. Leon’s parts deliver the over-the-top action that fans have come to love. The dual-protagonist structure works better than I expected — the narrative feels personal and emotional, especially in how their paths converge.

After 30+ hours, the story still sticks with me. It’s stays true to the rainy dark moodines of the RE series and faithfully renders the classic spooky hallways and cooridors of the early games. Capcom hit a perfect balance between jump scares and storyline.

What Feels Incredible

• Atmosphere and Tension: The opening hours with Grace are some of the most terrifying in the entire series. Dimly lit environments, incredible sound design, and smart enemy placement had me jumping more times than I care to admit.

• Two Game is One: The two narratives (Grace and Leon) felt like two games in one. The first half of the game is located in the Rhodes Hill Chronic Care Center with the second half outside in Racoon City and the underground ARK Umbrella facility.

• RE Engine Mastery: This might be the best-looking Resident Evil game yet. Rain-slicked streets, decaying interiors, and grotesque creature designs look stunning on PS5 and PC (I played on PS5).

• Pacing: The back-and-forth between Grace and Leon keeps things fresh. Just when one section starts to feel heavy, you switch and get a different flavor of horror/action. Returning to Leon’s weapon heavy gameply is refreshing.

• Replay Value: New Game+ carries over upgrades, there are multiple endings based on choices and collectibles, and the extra modes.

Where It Stumbles (Balanced Criticisms)

It’s not perfect, and after 30 hours those flaws become clearer:

• Length Complaints Are Valid for Some: The main story can be finished in 11–16 hours on a first playthrough if you’re rushing. That feels short for a full-priced AAA title in 2026. However, the depth comes from exploration, side content, and replays. If you only care about the campaign once and done, you might feel short-changed.

• Grace Can Be Polarizing: Her personality is more anxious and analytical than the stoic heroes we’re used to. Some players find her annoying or “whiny.” I actually grew to like her vulnerability — it makes the horror feel more human — but I get why it divides people. I will admit her wha wha wha’s are a bit excessive.

• Boss Fights and Puzzles: The bosses are visually impressive but for some they feel underwhelming mechanically. Puzzles are lighter than classic RE entries, which might disappoint longtime fans who loved the mansion-style brain teasers. But for the average player who withdraws from frustrating gameplay, this will be a rewarding experience.

• Technical Issues at Launch: Early patches fixed a lot, but some players still report occasional frame drops or crashes on Xbox Series X. On PS5 it’s been rock solid for me after the day-one update.

Is It Worth Your Time in 2026?

After 30 hours, here’s my bottom line:

If you love survival horror with strong narrative, excellent production values, and don’t mind a shorter main campaign that rewards replays — Resident Evil Requiem is excellent. It feels like a love letter to the series while trying new things with the dual protagonists.

If you’re expecting 50+ hours of dense, puzzle-heavy content on your first run like the original Resident Evil 2 remake, you might walk away disappointed.

Final Verdict for ZzennGame Readers

My Personal Score: 8.5/10

Despite it’s short comings, RE9 is definitely my favorite Resident Evil ever. It’s a bold, atmospheric, and memorable entry that I’ll keep coming back to for the Mercenaries runs and alternate endings.

Have you finished Requiem yet? Did Grace grow on you, or did Leon carry the game for you? How many hours have you put in? Drop your thoughts in the comments or hit reply — I’m genuinely curious how the Zzenn community is feeling about it two months later.

Stay safe out there… and maybe keep the lights on while playing.

― ZzennGame Reviews and Guides