For most newcomers, play Resident Evil 4 remake first: its Leon-led rescue story is a focused introduction, and PlayStation says you can enjoy it without prior series knowledge. Choose Resident Evil Requiem first instead if you want its contrast between Grace’s resource-limited horror and Leon’s combat, or value the option to play in first or third person. Neither game is established as a prerequisite for understanding the other.
How the games differ
| What to compare | Resident Evil 4 remake | Resident Evil Requiem |
|---|---|---|
| Release and place in the series | Released March 24, 2023; a ground-up remake of the 2005 game. | Released February 27, 2026; the ninth mainline game. |
| Story focus | Leon S. Kennedy searches a secluded European village for the US president’s missing daughter, six years after the Raccoon City incident. | Follows FBI analyst Grace Ashcroft and series veteran Leon S. Kennedy. |
| Gameplay emphasis | Leon’s survival horror is balanced with action; players use evasion, firearms, and close combat. | Grace’s limited supplies and crafting create resource-conscious horror; Leon’s sections emphasize firearms, melee, parries, and customizable equipment. |
| Perspective | The official product description presents a third-person game. | Both Grace and Leon can be played in first or third person. |
| Entry-point guidance | PlayStation’s FAQ says prior series knowledge is not needed. | Official material identifies it as a mainline entry but does not establish a required earlier game. |
| Platforms in the official listings cited here | PlayStation lists PS4 and PS5 editions. | Capcom lists PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC. |
Play Resident Evil 4 remake first if you want a clear starting point
Its story centers on one mission led by Leon, while its combat mixes evasion, gunplay, and close-quarters fighting. Weapon tuning, the Merchant, attaché-case inventory management, and knife skills add decisions without changing that basic action-horror focus. For someone new to the series, the most decisive point is PlayStation’s explicit assurance that the game can be enjoyed without knowing earlier entries.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Resident Evil Requiem Amazon Exclusive Edition - PlayStation 5 | $49.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
JUEGO Sony PS5 Resident Evil Village Gold Edition | $28.70 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Capcom Resident Evil 4 Gold Edition PlayStation 5 Game | $47.12 | Buy on Amazon |
It is also the natural pick if you want to visit a modern remake of a 2005 series landmark rather than begin with the newest mainline release. PlayStation’s US listing gives PS4 and PS5 as supported editions; check your local store listing for current availability.
Play Resident Evil Requiem first if its two-sided structure appeals to you
Requiem alternates between Grace, whose limited resources make choosing whether to fight or flee central, and Leon, whose sections lean into combat. The shift gives the game a different rhythm from a single-character action-horror story. Both characters can be played in first or third person, a practical distinction if perspective is a deciding factor.
#1 Best Overall
- Amazon Exclusive - 2 sided poster included in every game!
- Grace Ashcroft, an FBI intelligence analyst who is introverted and easily scared, representing a new type of character for the Resident Evil series. Grace will experience horror from the same perspective as the player as she learns to overcome her fears throughout the course of the story.
- For the first time ever in Resident Evil history, players will be able to freely switch between both first- and third-person perspectives throughout the game.
- An Anniversary to Remember: With March 2026 marking the Resident Evil series’ 30-year anniversary, Resident Evil Requiem marks its own milestone in the franchise.
- Pre-orders for Resident Evil Requiem are now open, with the bonus of Grace’s costume: Apocalypse. Please note that the picture weapon does not come with the costume, but it can be obtained in-game.
Director Koshi Nakanishi described the intended horror balance in a January 29, 2026 PlayStation.Blog interview: “Overall, this game may be scarier than Resident Evil Village, but it alternates between tension and relief, so it isn’t a continuous, suffocating experience.” That is the director’s design description, not a promise that every player will find the game scarier or less intense.
Is either game required before the other?
No required order is established by the official material cited here. PlayStation specifically says Resident Evil 4 remake does not require prior series knowledge. The available official descriptions of Requiem do not identify the remake as a prerequisite. So choose based on the experience you want first, not a presumed mandatory sequence.
Rank #2
- JUEGO SONY PS5 RESIDENT EVIL VILLAGE GOLD EDITION
Choose by your priority
- New to Resident Evil: Start with Resident Evil 4 remake for the clearest official entry-point guidance and a focused Leon-led story.
- Want alternating horror and action: Start with Requiem for Grace’s scarce-resource sections alongside Leon’s more combat-forward sequences.
- Want perspective options: Pick Requiem, which offers first- and third-person play for both characters.
- Want the older story reimagined: Pick Resident Evil 4 remake, which reworks the 2005 game.
- Platform determines the choice: Compare the platform lists in the table with your local store. The PlayStation demo listings also show a free Requiem demo on the US page and a free Chainsaw demo for Resident Evil 4; offers and regional availability can change.
Release context and series sales
Capcom reported that Requiem surpassed five million units worldwide after its February 27, 2026 release. That is a publisher-reported sales figure, not an independent measure of quality. Capcom also reported more than 183 million cumulative Resident Evil series sales as of December 31, 2025; the figure is specific to that stated date.
Quick Recap
Rank #3
- Intense horror experience with dark narrative
- Improved images and refined game mechanics included
- Players take on the role of Leon S Kennedy
- Mission to save the president's daughter from danger
- Challenging environments and strategic combat scenarios await
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
