This Resident Evil Requiem Beginner’s Guide details all the tips and tricks you need to know to kickstart your journey in Resident Evil Requiem. Before you jump into Resident Evil Requiem, it is a good idea to know what kind of experience you are about to get. The game mixes slow survival horror with heavy action, switches between two very different characters, and constantly pressures you with limited resources.
Beginner’s Guide – Resident Evil Requiem
Our guide details all the things you need to know before stepping into the RE Requiem world.
Grace and Leon Are Not the Same
Unlike older entries such as Resident Evil 2 or Resident Evil 3, where characters had separate routes, this game constantly shifts control between Grace and Leon within one shared story. They can be controlled similarly, but their strengths are completely different.
- Leon can carry far more items, making him less stressed about inventory space. Grace has very limited storage and must rely on item boxes to store important supplies. This means you need to plan much more carefully when playing as her.
- Leon always carries a hatchet. It loses sharpness but never disappears, and you can restore it anytime. Grace does not have this advantage. She must find temporary knives, and once they break, she is vulnerable up close until she finds another one. Leon’s hatchet can also open certain sealed cabinets that Grace cannot access, so don’t worry about forcing them open during her sections.
- When enemies are staggered, both characters can follow up with melee attacks. Grace’s follow-up is usually meant to create space so she can escape. Leon’s, however, often kills enemies outright, making it one of the best ways to conserve ammo.
- Leon can also parry attacks if timed properly, while Grace cannot defend that way at all. This alone makes Leon’s gameplay much more aggressive.
- He can even pick up dropped weapons like chainsaws and axes. Chainsaws can be used directly, and axes can be thrown at enemies. Grace does not get these options. However, she begins the game with access to the powerful Requiem magnum, which balances things out.
- Crafting also works differently. Grace must collect infected blood and combine it with materials to craft items. She also needs to discover special blood samples to unlock recipes. Leon automatically learns new ammo crafting recipes when he finds new weapons.
Choose the Difficulty According to Your Playstyle
There are three starting difficulty options.
- Casual is for players who mainly want to enjoy the story. Enemies are weaker, ammo is easier to find, and ambushes are less frequent.
- Modern difficulty keeps the challenge but allows unlimited saves and more forgiving autosave points. You can even lower it to Casual during play if needed.
- Classic difficulty is designed for longtime fans who want tension similar to older titles like Resident Evil. Saving requires managing ink ribbons, so every mistake matters more.
After finishing the game, an even harder difficulty unlocks with tougher enemy placements and changes to puzzles and codes.
First-Person or Third-Person
Like earlier versions, this version also lets you switch between first-person and third-person views.
First-person makes Grace’s sections feel more intense and immersive. Third-person gives better environmental awareness, especially during Leon’s action-heavy moments. Third-person also allows you to see threats around corners more easily. First-person, however, creates more cinematic moments since the camera is fixed to your view.
The choice is completely yours, so experiment early and decide what feels better.
Adjust Settings
Spend a few minutes in the options menu. If the walking camera movement makes you feel uncomfortable in first-person mode, reduce the head effect. You can also tweak sensitivity, aim assist, and accessibility settings. Small adjustments can make a big difference over long sessions.
Zombies Can Be Manipulated
The infected in Requiem still show traces of their past behavior. Some react to lights, some respond to noise, and some have unique habits.
For example, certain zombies will turn the lights off. If one blocks your path, you can switch on a nearby light and hide until it moves away to deal with it. Others react aggressively to loud sounds. Throwing a bottle near them can make them attack whatever is nearby, including other zombies.
This means you don’t always need to use ammo. Sometimes strategy works better.
Stalker Enemies Are a Real Threat
Grace will encounter powerful roaming enemies similar to past pursuers like Mr. X or Nemesis. These enemies patrol areas and are extremely dangerous. Fighting them requires strong weapons like the Requiem magnum.
If you have enough ammo, eliminating them can remove a major threat and reward you with valuable items. However, if you are low on supplies, sneaking past them is often smarter. Listen carefully for their sounds, because running blindly around corners can put you face-to-face with them.
Inventory Management Is Critical
Grace’s limited space makes storage boxes essential. Store coins, ink ribbons, and unused key items until needed. Avoid carrying excessive ammo or crafting materials. Leaving a safe room with only what you truly need keeps space open for important finds.
Taking too much gear often leads to wasted resources or forced item drops. Keep it simple: a loaded weapon, some spare ammo, and healing.
Injectors Can Be Better Than Bullets
Grace can craft handgun ammo or Hemolytic Injectors. Bullets require 40 blood and a piece of scrap, and Injectors require 60 blood and a scrap. While bullets seem more cost-effective, injectors instantly kill unaware or weakened enemies and prevent them from coming back in stronger Blisterhead forms.
In many cases, injectors are more efficient in the long run. They remove threats permanently and reduce future resource drain.
Watch Out for Blister Heads
Sometimes, defeated zombies return in a mutated form called a Blister Head. These enemies are much faster, stronger, and extremely hard to kill with basic weapons.
If you are playing as Grace and hear a transformation starting, escaping may be the smartest move. If fighting is necessary, the Requiem magnum is the most efficient tool. Leon has an easier time handling them with heavier weaponry, parrying, and melee finishers.
Collectibles Matter
There are three important collectibles to keep in mind.
- Bobbleheads are hidden throughout the game in corners and reward you for collecting all of them.
- Antique Coins are exclusive to Grace. You can mostly get/find these in the safes and by slaying zombie singers. You can exchange them in the Parlor for upgrades like inventory expansion, health boosts, stronger weapon handling, and increased blood capacity. Leon cannot collect these, so grab them before leaving the areas as Grace.
- Lockpicks open simple locks. Inside, you will often find rare crafting materials, especially useful for creating Requiem ammo once you unlock its recipe.
Use Magnum Wisely
Unlike older Resident Evil titles, where the Magnum appears late, Grace gains access to it very early. That does not mean you should use it freely. Think of it as an emergency weapon.
Against normal zombies, only fire when you are overwhelmed or when you can line up multiple enemies in one shot. One well-placed bullet hitting several targets is far better than wasting it on a single enemy.
When dealing with stalker-type enemies like The Chef or Chunk, the Magnum becomes much more important. If you can sneak up and fire at their head before they notice you, the damage is much more serious and may even drop them instantly. If they already see you, expect to spend several shots to bring them down.
Always Check Locked Doors Properly
Many locked doors will not show how to open them unless you walk close enough to interact with them. If you ignore this, you may later feel lost because your map will not clearly show what key or item is required.
Take a few seconds to approach each locked door. Trigger the interaction prompt so the game records its details. This helps you remember what is needed later and prevents unnecessary backtracking.
Open Doors Carefully
You do not have to fully rush through every doorway. You can slowly push a door open to look inside first. This small habit can save your life.
Running straight through a closed door might put you face-to-face with a zombie or, even worse, a stalker enemy. Instead, peek inside, check your surroundings, and then step in. You can also close doors behind you for safety if needed.
Safe Rooms Are Not Completely Safe
Well-lit rooms and areas with typewriters might feel secure, but most zombies can still walk inside. Some enemies will step in briefly and leave, but they can still attack if you are standing near the doorway.
Move fully into the room instead of standing near the entrance. That small bit of distance can stop you from getting grabbed unexpectedly.
You Don’t Need to Kill Everything
One common mistake is trying to eliminate every zombie you see. In Grace’s sections, especially, this often wastes more ammo than it is worth. Unlike Leon’s segments, you usually don’t gain enough rewards to justify full combat.
Instead of fighting everything, think about avoidance. Some zombies react to light, while others move toward sound. You can flip switches or create noise to distract them. Throwing objects in one direction can clear your path in another. Sometimes enemies will even attack each other if drawn to the same sound.
Aim With Purpose
When you do shoot, make it count. The best targets are usually the head or the legs. Headshots deal serious damage, but leg shots are easier and can stagger enemies. Once staggered, you can push them down, run past them, or finish them more efficiently.
Damaging heads or legs also increases the amount of blood you can collect later, which is useful for upgrades.
Search Every Room Thoroughly
Resources are extremely important, especially when playing as Grace. Even small items matter.
Knives used to escape a grab can be picked up again, but only after killing the zombie they are stuck in. Break small plates, vases, and taped boxes even if there is no prompt. Many of these containers hide useful supplies, and their contents won’t appear on your map unless you destroy them first.
When you reach the parlor, you can spend Antique Coins on upgrades. Expanding inventory space early is a smart choice. Upgrading your blood collector is also helpful since many permanent upgrades require more blood than the starting limit allows. Coins are often hidden in safes or found on special singing zombies.
Save Bottles for Crafting
Bottles can distract enemies, but they are far more useful later for crafting stronger items like Molotovs. Try not to waste them unless you are in real danger.
Be Careful with Blister Heads
If you fail to destroy a zombie properly, it can return as a stronger form called a Blister Head. These enemies are faster, tougher, and far more dangerous. They absorb much more damage and can kill you quickly.
If possible, avoid them completely. If you must fight, use a hemolytic injector while they are unaware or on the ground. A Magnum headshot can also work and may save you more resources than repeatedly firing a pistol.
Leon’s Hatchet Is Extremely Valuable
After spending time conserving resources as Grace, it can feel strange to switch to Leon. His hatchet does not break permanently; it only becomes dull. Sharpen it whenever you have a safe moment.
Melee finishers with the hatchet often destroy an enemy’s head, which stops them from reviving. In crowded areas, this prevents extra trouble later. Try shooting legs or heads first, then move in for a finishing blow when prompted.
You can also block attacks with the hatchet. Raising it at the right moment with L1 can stun enemies and open them up for a counterattack. However, blocking still causes some damage, so don’t rely on it if your health is very low.
Target Armed Enemies First
Not all enemies are equal. Zombies carrying weapons are more dangerous and should be your priority. Once defeated, you can pick up and throw their weapons at other enemies, often causing instant kills or knockdowns.
Chainsaw enemies are especially deadly. They can kill you in one hit if you are not careful. Take them out quickly. After they fall, wait until the chainsaw stops spinning before picking it up for yourself.
Spend Credits Carefully
Later in Leon’s campaign, you gain access to a supply box where you can buy and upgrade weapons using credits. While upgrading increases damage and efficiency, selling an upgraded weapon does not return the money spent on upgrades. You only get the base selling price back.
However, if you buy that weapon again later, its upgrades remain attached. This means you won’t lose your progress entirely, but you also won’t recover the upgrade costs in credits. So before investing heavily, consider whether that weapon will remain part of your long-term loadout.
Keep a Close Eye on Your Health
In Resident Evil Requiem, your health status matters more than you might think. Just because it says “Fine” does not mean you are completely safe. If you are at full health, you can usually survive a heavy hit from a strong enemy and still escape. But once your status drops to orange and shows “Caution,” that same attack could easily finish you.
When you are only dealing with regular zombies, staying at orange health can be fine if you want to save healing items. However, if you sense that a boss fight or a dangerous enemy is coming up, it is much smarter to heal first instead of taking the risk.
It is also a good habit to carry combined herbs or injectors instead of single healing items. Combined herbs save space and restore more health. While playing as Grace, a double green herb mix is usually enough to manage most situations. Later, when playing as Leon and fights become heavier, you may want to carry something stronger for safety.
Don’t Be Afraid to Reload a Save
Early on, ammo should be treated as something valuable. Even though crafting eventually makes bullets easier to obtain, that comfort comes later. At the start, every missed shot hurts your supplies.
If you miss an important headshot or your attempt to stagger an enemy fails, and you saved recently, reloading your file can sometimes be the better choice. This is especially true in sections where combat cannot be avoided. Running into a forced encounter with almost no ammo is a situation you want to avoid.
Use Your Map to Clean Up Missed Loot
Both Grace and Leon explore dark, tense locations, and it is very easy to overlook small items on shelves or in corners. Sometimes you even have to leave items behind because your inventory is full.
Thankfully, your map helps with this. It marks items you didn’t pick up, including herbs, lockpicks, and ammo. That means you can return later when you’ve made space instead of trying to remember where you saw them. Checking your map regularly ensures you don’t permanently miss valuable supplies that could help you later on.
That is all for this guide. Additional Resident Evil Requiem guides are linked below:
- Resident Evil Requiem Hip Pouches Locations Guide – All Hip Pouches, Where to Find
- Resident Evil Requiem Combat Guide – Tips and Tricks to Kill Enemies Easily
This concludes our Resident Evil Requiem Beginner’s Guide. If you want to add anything to this guide, feel free to use the comments section below.
