Resident Evil Requiem Review: A Must-Play, Especially on PS5 Pro
▼ Summary
– Resident Evil Requiem showcases a mature RE Engine, delivering a generational leap in visuals, especially on PS5 Pro, with atmospheric environments and hyper-detailed characters.
– The PS5 Pro version achieves a near-locked 60fps in its RT mode and uses exceptional temporal upscaling to produce an image close to native 4K from a 1080p base.
– Character models are among the best in gaming, featuring brilliant realism, advanced materials, and a refined, performance-friendly strand-based hair system.
– In cross-platform comparisons, PS5 Pro is the definitive console version, while Series X matches base PS5, and Series S runs smoothly but with lower image quality and no hair system.
– Beyond its technical excellence, the game is rated as a series best, featuring excellent black levels, superb 3D audio, and a convincingly creepy atmosphere.
The Resident Evil Requiem experience on PS5 Pro represents a genuine generational leap, showcasing the RE Engine at its most mature and visually spectacular. This latest entry in the storied franchise leverages a current-gen exclusive focus to deliver what might be the most impressive graphics of this console cycle. From the opening moments on rain-slicked city streets, the game establishes itself as a technical masterclass, defined by atmospheric environments, hyper-detailed character models, and a stunning implementation of ray tracing effects.
Credit must be given to the PS5 Pro version for realizing a vision that goes beyond expectations. The hardware’s goal of delivering quality-mode visuals at performance-mode frame rates is not just met but arguably exceeded. The ray tracing mode maintains a near-locked 60 frames per second while piling on advanced features. The image quality is particularly remarkable; although the native resolution is similar to the base PS5, the temporal upscaling solution produces an image that convincingly approaches native 4K clarity from a pixel count just over 1080p. The addition of ray-traced reflections and global illumination is transformative, creating a new level of immersion despite occasional minor noise in reflections.
Character models stand out as some of the best in gaming. While unmistakably a Capcom creation, the realism achieved through material quality, cloth rendering, and skin shading is brilliant. The strand-based hair system returns from the Resident Evil 4 remake but now operates without a significant performance cost, with hair lit correctly and integrated seamlessly into every scene.
Cross-platform analysis reveals the PS5 Pro’s distinct advantage. It stands as one of the most convincing upgrades for the enhanced console. The Pro’s 120Hz mode matches the standard PS5’s 60fps presentation, meaning it forgoes ray tracing and uses a simpler spatial scaler. Performance in this mode is consistently high and benefits from proper VRR support, ensuring smooth gameplay on compatible displays. The Xbox Series X version is essentially identical to the standard PS5, employing a similar upscaling technique. The Series S version is more intriguing, using FSR1-like scaling from an apparent 720p base, which impacts image quality but maintains smooth performance. The key sacrifice on Series S is the complete removal of the advanced hair strand system.
Beyond its undeniable technical prowess, Resident Evil Requiem excels as a complete package. It ranks among the finest titles in the series, bolstered by excellent black levels that correct an issue from prior games and a superb 3D audio design that effectively conveys enemy positions while building a deeply creepy atmosphere. While the RE Engine scales gracefully across all consoles, the PS5 Pro version is easily the definitive way to play, delivering the premium experience that fully justifies the hardware’s promise.
(Source: Digital Foundry)
