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For most newcomers, play Resident Evil 4 remake first. It is a focused, Leon-led survival-horror story that PlayStation says can be enjoyed without prior knowledge of the series. Pick Resident Evil Requiem first instead if its split between Grace’s scarce-resource horror and Leon’s combat, plus the choice of first- or third-person view, sounds more appealing. Neither game is established as a prerequisite for the other.
How the two games differ
| What matters | Resident Evil 4 remake | Resident Evil Requiem |
|---|---|---|
| Place in the series | A ground-up remake of the 2005 game, released March 24, 2023. | The ninth mainline game, released February 27, 2026. |
| Story focus | Leon S. Kennedy searches a secluded European village for the US president’s missing daughter, six years after the Raccoon City incident. | FBI analyst Grace Ashcroft and series veteran Leon S. Kennedy share the story. |
| Gameplay emphasis | Leon-led survival horror balanced with action: evasion, firearms, close combat, weapon tuning, Merchant purchases, attaché-case inventory management and knife skills. | Grace’s limited supplies, crafting and fight-or-flee decisions contrast with Leon’s firearms, melee attacks, parries and customizable equipment. |
| Camera perspective | The official product page presents a third-person game. | Players can choose first- or third-person perspective for both characters. |
| Entry-point guidance | PlayStation’s FAQ says players can enjoy it without prior series knowledge. | Official material identifies it as a mainline installment but does not establish a required earlier game. |
| Platforms listed by the checked official sources | PS4 and PS5 (PlayStation US page). | PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2 and PC (Capcom). |
Why play Resident Evil 4 remake first?
Choose RE4 if you want one central protagonist and a relatively straightforward way into the series. Its rescue mission gives Leon a clear goal, while its combat and survival systems let you respond with stealthy evasion, guns or close-quarters attacks. The Merchant, weapon upgrades and attaché case add planning without changing the story’s basic focus.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Resident Evil Requiem Amazon Exclusive Edition - PlayStation 5 | $69.99 | 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 | $46.44 | Buy on Amazon |
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It is also the stronger fit if you want the more established starting point: PlayStation’s FAQ directly says prior Resident Evil knowledge is not needed to enjoy this game. That makes it a sound first choice, not a mandatory one.
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Why play Resident Evil Requiem first?
Choose Requiem if you want the newer mainline entry and are drawn to two distinct styles of play. Grace’s sections emphasize limited resources, crafting and deciding when to avoid a fight; Leon’s favor firearms, melee combat, parries and equipment customization. The perspective choice for both characters is a practical differentiator if first-person or third-person presentation matters to you.
#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 its intended pacing as alternating tension and relief: “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 description of the design, not a promise that every player will find it less intense.
Does either game need to come first?
The official descriptions reviewed do not say that one is required to understand the other. RE4 is explicitly presented by PlayStation as playable without prior series knowledge; for Requiem, the available official material does not establish a required predecessor. If you are deciding only between these two, use the style you want rather than treating release order as a rule.
Rank #2
- JUEGO SONY PS5 RESIDENT EVIL VILLAGE GOLD EDITION
Platforms, release dates and demos
Requiem launched on February 27, 2026. Capcom lists PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2 and PC. The remake of RE4 launched on March 24, 2023; PlayStation’s US page lists PS4 and PS5. Platform availability can vary by region and store, so check your local listing before buying.
The US PlayStation listing for Requiem shows a free demo, while the RE4 page lists a free Chainsaw demo. Demo and store availability may change by region or over time; confirm in your platform’s store.
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
What the sales figures do—and do not—tell you
Capcom reported that Requiem surpassed five million units worldwide after its February 27, 2026 release. That is a publisher-reported sales milestone, not an independent measure of quality or a reason by itself to choose one game over the other. Capcom also reported more than 183 million cumulative Resident Evil series sales as of December 31, 2025.
Quick Recap
Which one should you pick?
- Start with RE4 remake for a Leon-focused, action-forward survival-horror story and a publisher-supported entry point for newcomers.
- Start with Requiem for a two-character contrast between resource-conscious horror and combat, or if choosing each character’s camera perspective matters to you.
- Let platform access decide if one is unavailable on your hardware; use the current local store listing because platform and demo availability can differ.
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.
