Resident Evil Requiem Is a Masterpiece, but You Need To Play These Games First

Resident Evil Requiem is finally here, and returning fans have been waiting for its launch for years. Along with older fans like myself, a lot of newcomers to the series are asking if they can jump in with Resident Evil Requiem first.

The answer isn't as simple as people would have you think.

I've reviewed Resident Evil Requiem as someone who have 1000s of hours invested into this series of games.

Now, I'm not saying you need to have played every single game, going all the way back to the first game in Capcom’s iconic survival horror series, released on the original PlayStation in 1996.

During a 2025 interview with VGC, Resident Evil Requiem producer Masato Kumazawa said that it’s a game for returning fans and newcomers. Adding “I don’t want people to feel they have to do their homework to fully appreciate this game.”

I somewhat agree, but after having spent over 20 hours reviewing it, I don't think it's that easy.

What is Resident Evil About, Ultimately?

If you're looking to play Resident Evil Requiem as your first entry, here's what you need to know.

In the 1996 first release, a band of special forces police, collectively known as S.T.A.R.S are called to investigate a series of gruesome murders in the Arklay Mountains, located on the outskirts of Raccoon City.

In Resident Evil, playing as either Chris Redfield or Jill Valentine, exploring the eerie Spencer Mansion, home of brain-chomping zombies, giant spiders and reptiles, unusual puzzles and cheesy one-liners. All in the name of exposing a sinister cover-up orchestrated by the Umbrella pharmaceutical company.

Two years later, we were treated to Resident Evil 2, starring the rookie RPD cop, Leon S. Kennedy and Claire Redfield, sister of Chris from the first game. In Resident Evil 2 (my favourite game of all time), the exposé of Umbrella continued, but this time, events took us to the heart of Raccoon City and the iconic location of its police department.

Resident Evil 2 (2019), Capcom

Resident Evil Requiem Is Out Now!

In the years that followed, Capcom would release a plethora of Resident Evil sequels and spin-offs (for better and worse), and 2026’s offering, Resident Evil Requiem, takes us back to where it all began 28 years ago, for our once naive young man, turned grizzled veteran, Leon S. Kennedy.

Since the events of Resident Evil 2, Leon has been put through the mill, and that’s putting it mildly. From a rookie cop to a presidential US agent and world-ending scenario after another, there’s not much that our boy hasn't seen. In terms of mainline games, Leon has starred in RE2, RE4, RE6 and now Resident Evil Requiem.

“As a horror game in its own right, Resident Evil Requiem is a very solid nine out of ten, but as a passionate fan of the series, it earns an additional bonus point thanks to the attention to detail and craft that’s gone into every pore of this game,” I said in my review. “Resident Evil Requiem is my Game of the Year so far and has earned my very first 10/10 in my three years at GAMINGbible.”

Leon in the Resident Evil 4 remake, Capcom

Is Resident Evil Requiem a Perfect Entry for Newcomers?

I guess so. I kinda agree with Masato Kumazawa, but in my humble opinion, you could say something similar with just about any additional game in a series. At the end of the day, if a game is great, there’s a good chance that you’ll enjoy it. However, if you do skip certain entries in the series and jump straight into Resident Evil Requiem, you could do yourself a disservice.

Look, this is by no means gatekeeping. If you want to jump into Resident Evil Requiem, have it at, you’ll have a blast, and I have little doubt you'll love the new protagonist, Grace Ashcroft. But by avoiding, at the very least, previous entries starring Leon S. Kennedy, it’s practically impossible to feel the same level of emotion when you return to the RPD in Resident Evil Requiem.

I’ll put it this way: when I returned to the RPD in Resident Evil Requiem, it gave me goosebumps. If I hadn't played at the very least the Resident Evil 2 remake, it would not have had the same impact on me.

When Leon slowly opened the RPD entrance doors, and I saw the crumbled main hall with a new iteration of its iconic theme music playing, it was without a doubt one of my favourite gaming memories in recent years. What’s more, exploring the rooms of the RPD was especially emotional, as remnants of the past triggered both heartwarming and heartbreaking memories.

On top of that, by denying yourself playing through Resident Evil 2, Resident Evil 4 and to an extent, the disappointing Resident Evil 6, you’d also miss out on the epic journey with Leon, and to experience firsthand how his character has evolved, and to fully understand the man that he has become in Resident Evil Requiem.

A grizzled Leon in Resident Evil Requiem, Capcom

You Can't Go Wrong With Most Resident Evil Games

I’d even recommend playing Resident Evil 3, a game starring the returning Jill Valentine, with its events taking place at the same time and place as RE2. Look, the 2019 RE3 remake isn't the best, but it's still a fun action game that also adds essential lore to the tragic events of Raccoon City.

If Resident Evil Requiem is to be your first game in the series, I know that you’ll have a blast. If you simply can’t wait to play it, please, at the very least, play RE2, RE3 and RE4 when you’re done. As much as I love the originals, if you are completely new to the series, I would recommend the fantastic remakes.

Heck, I’d actually recommend all mainline games in the series, but all of the above would be my essential reading, so to speak. That being said, whatever your entry point might be, as Jack Baker once said in Resident Evil 7: Biohazard, “Welcome to the family, son!”

Resident Evil Requiem is out now on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch 2.