Choose Resident Evil Village if you want the earlier game in the story sequence, or Resident Evil Requiem if its Grace-and-Leon structure, selectable camera perspectives, and return to Raccoon City appeal more. Neither is an objectively better choice: the right one depends on what you want from a Resident Evil game and which platforms you own.
At a glance: which game fits you?
| If you care most about… | Consider… | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Playing the earlier story entry | Resident Evil Village | Capcom describes Village as the sequel to Resident Evil 7 biohazard, released in 2021. If you want the setup in order, play RE7 first. The sources cited here do not establish Village as a required prerequisite for Requiem. Capcom, June 11, 2024. |
| Two contrasting protagonists | Resident Evil Requiem | Official PlayStation materials contrast Grace’s constrained survival and crafting with Leon’s combat options and equipment. Both protagonists can be played in first- or third-person. PlayStation’s Requiem game page. |
| Varied horror with more action in an earlier release | Village | Capcom describes Village as offering varied horror experiences, a greater degree of action, and expansive gameplay. This is the publisher’s characterization, not a measured comparison against Requiem. Capcom, June 11, 2024. |
| Raccoon City and newer series lore | Requiem | Capcom places Requiem in Raccoon City and connects its story to the city’s outbreak history and the wider series lore. Capcom Integrated Report 2025. |
| Playing on hardware you already own | Check the exact version | Requiem launched on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2. Village has versions for more platforms, but compatibility and edition details differ. Capcom’s platform announcement. |
How Requiem’s gameplay differs
Requiem is Capcom’s ninth main installment, released February 27, 2026. Capcom’s release announcement identifies it as a survival horror game. Its two protagonists provide different play emphases rather than a simple choice between two separate games.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Resident Evil Village - PlayStation 5 Standard Edition | $23.31 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Capcom Resident Evil Village Gold Edition (PS5) | $25.90 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Resident Evil: Village (PS4) | $24.49 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Resident Evil Village Gold ED - PS4 | $23.47 | Buy on Amazon |
Grace: constrained survival
PlayStation describes FBI analyst Grace Ashcroft as limited by the supplies she can find and carry. Analyzing enemies helps her decide whether to fight or flee; blood-based crafting can produce items, ammunition, and injectors. This makes resource decisions central to her portion of the game. PlayStation’s Requiem game page.
Leon: combat and equipment
Leon’s described tools include firearms, a hatchet, melee attacks, parries, enemy weapons, and customizable weapon parts. That points to a more combat-forward approach than Grace’s supply-limited survival, while still keeping both characters within Requiem’s overall horror framework. PlayStation’s Requiem game page.
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#1 Best Overall
- All new Resident Evil experience - picking up where Resident Evil 7 biohazard left Off, Resident Evil village is the eighth major installment in the flagship Resident Evil series
- Next generation Technology - Re engine paired with next-gen Console power will deliver photorealistic graphics, bringing the shadowy village and its haunting residents to life.
- First-person action - players will assume the role of Ethan winters and experience every up-close battle and terrifying pursuit through a first-person perspective.
- Familiar faces and new foes - Chris Redfield has typically been a hero in the Resident Evil series, but his appearance in Resident Evil village seemingly shrouds him in sinister motives.
- A living, breathing village - more than just a mysterious backdrop for the Horrifying events that unfold in the game, The village is a character in its own right with mysteries for Ethan to uncover
Camera choice
Requiem lets players choose first- or third-person perspective for both Grace and Leon. If camera preference matters to you, that flexibility is a concrete point in its favor. PlayStation’s Requiem game page.
PC Gamer’s review describes the early structure as giving Leon the action and Grace much of the horror, stealth, and puzzles, at least at the start. That is one reviewer’s account of the opening structure, not a guarantee that the distinction holds throughout the entire game. PC Gamer’s Requiem review.
Rank #2
- A New Perspective – See the eighth core entry in the Resident Evil series from a new vantage point in “Third Person Mode.” In addition to the intense first-person view players enjoyed in the initial release of Resident Evil Village, they can now watch Ethan in action and experience his journey from a new angle in Resident Evil Village Gold Edition and the Winters’ Expansion.
- Bonus Game – Resident Evil Village will provide access to a free multiplayer experience titled Resident Evil Re:Verse, which releases on Oct. 28, 2022 alongside the launch of Resident Evil Village Gold Edition and the Winters’ Expansion. An all-star cast of iconic characters face off in four to six-player deathmatch battles in classic locations.
- Evolution of Combat – In addition to engaging enemies, in Resident Evil Village Ethan can guard against incoming assaults, or kick foes away to buy time, allowing players to strategize the best approach for surviving the challenges ahead.
- Popular Features Return – Recognizable features return Resident Evil Village that nod to previous Resident Evil titles, such as “The Duke,” a merchant who allows players to buy and sell items, purchase recipes for crafting, and customize weapons.
- The Story Continues – “Shadows of Rose” resumes the Winters family saga 16 years after the events of Resident Evil Village. The expansion’s new tale follows Rose Winters, the daughter of main protagonist Ethan, as she struggles with her terrifying powers. Explore the warped and twisted world inside the consciousness of the Megamycete in search of a cure.
What Village offers instead
Village is the 2021 sequel to Resident Evil 7 biohazard. Capcom presents it as a game with a variety of horror experiences, more action, and expansive gameplay. Those are the publisher’s words and positioning; they do not establish a universal verdict that Village is scarier, more action-heavy, or better than Requiem by an independent measure. Capcom, June 11, 2024.
For a new player who values narrative order, the clearest path is Resident Evil 7 biohazard, then Village. The materials cited here do not say that you must finish Village before playing Requiem.
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Rank #3
- A new chapter in the Resident Evil storyline - This eighth major instalment in the flagship Resident Evil series continues the story from the critically acclaimed Resident Evil 7 biohazard. With the return of popular features and introduction of new elements, survival horror has never been so intense.
- latest console technology - RE engine paired with new technologies available via PlayStation 5 and Xbox series x|s delivers Hyper detailed graphics, advanced immersive audio and little to no load times, bringing the shadowy village and its evocative residents to life in first person perspective.
- popular Resident Evil features - fans might recognize new features In Resident Evil village that are nods to previous Resident Evil games including a merchant dubbed "the Duke" Who allows players to purchase and sell items, buy recipes for crafting consumables, and customize weapons.
- familiar faces and new foes - Resident Evil series Chris Redfield returns under a shroud of seemingly sinister motives. Ethan will also encounter a host of new adversaries inhabiting the enigmatic village, all with their own distinctive ways of attacking.
- Evolution of combat - In addition to engaging and attacking enemies, Ethan can also now guard against incoming attacks, or kick enemies away To buy time for his next move, requiring players to further strategize the best approach for Surviving the many challenges ahead..25th Anniversary celebration bonus - As a thank you to fans, Resident Evil village will include access to a free multiplayer experience titled Resident Evil RE: verse, coming to PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC.
Should you play Village before Requiem?
Play Village first if you want to follow its direct connection to RE7 and prefer experiencing the earlier release before the newer entry. Requiem’s story follows Grace Ashcroft, the daughter of a character from a previous game, and returns to Raccoon City to investigate the truth behind the Raccoon City Incident. Capcom describes the story as running through the series’ lore, so familiarity with earlier games may add context; the cited sources do not identify Village as a required lead-in. Capcom Integrated Report 2025.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Platforms and editions to check
Capcom’s September 2025 platform announcement listed Requiem for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC, with a February 27, 2026 release date. It listed Village for PS5 and PS4, Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One, Nintendo Switch 2, cloud Nintendo Switch, PC, and iPhone, iPad, and Mac, with release dates varying by platform. Capcom marks the original Nintendo Switch version as cloud-based. Check the current store listing and device requirements before buying; the platform list alone does not guarantee compatibility with a particular device or service. Capcom’s platform announcement.
Rank #4
- A New Perspective – See the eighth core entry in the Resident Evil series from a new vantage point in “Third Person Mode.” In addition to the intense first-person view players enjoyed in the initial release of Resident Evil Village, they can now watch Ethan in action and experience his journey from a new angle in Resident Evil Village Gold Edition and the Winters’ Expansion.
- The Story Continues – “Shadows of Rose” resumes the Winters family saga 16 years after the events of Resident Evil Village. The expansion’s new tale follows Rose Winters, the daughter of main protagonist Ethan, as she struggles with her terrifying powers. Explore the warped and twisted world inside the consciousness of the Megamycete in search of a cure.
- The Mercenaries Are Back and Bigger Than Ever – The beloved battle-the-clock mode, “The Mercenaries,” returns with new features. On top of the original content, “The Mercenaries Additional Orders” introduces fan favorites as new playable characters Lady Dimitrescu, Chris Redfield, and Lord Karl Heisenberg, each with their own unique abilities. This added content for Resident Evil Village Gold Edition and the Winters’ Expansion also includes new levels and other improvements.
- Bonus Game – Resident Evil Village will provide access to a free multiplayer experience titled Resident Evil Re:Verse, which releases on Oct. 28, 2022 alongside the launch of Resident Evil Village Gold Edition and the Winters’ Expansion. An all-star cast of iconic characters face off in four to six-player deathmatch battles in classic locations.
- Familiar Faces and Fresh Foes – Resident Evil series hero Chris Redfield returns under a shroud of seemingly sinister motives. Ethan will also encounter a host of new adversaries inhabiting the enigmatic village, all with their own distinctive attacks.
Village editions
Capcom says Village Gold Edition includes the main game and additional story content. Confirm the platform and contents on the specific store listing, especially when comparing the Gold Edition with a base-game listing. Capcom, June 11, 2024.
Requiem editions
The PlayStation listing shows Standard and Deluxe editions and a free demo listing. Store content and regional availability can change, so check the listing for your region and platform. PlayStation’s Requiem game page.
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Capcom reported that Village surpassed 10 million worldwide units within three years of its 2021 release; the June 11, 2024 announcement says that figure includes digital-download sales. That is a dated sales milestone, not evidence that Village is the better game for every player. Capcom, June 11, 2024.
Capcom also reported more than 174 million cumulative units for the Resident Evil franchise as of June 30, 2025. That figure is franchise-wide context, not a comparison of Requiem and Village. Capcom, September 16, 2025.
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