Resident Evil Requiem is a game that has left many players feeling both impressed and frustrated. While it’s widely regarded as one of the best titles of the year, the final hour of the game has been a point of contention for fans. The conclusion feels rushed, with plot points that appear to have been altered at the last minute, resulting in an underwhelming boss fight that fails to live up to the buildup.
The main antagonist of the game, Victor Gideon, is portrayed as a somewhat over-the-top villain. He wears a snakeskin coat and has a peculiar jaw structure, which may hint at his connection to snakes—specifically their ability to unhinge their jaws to consume large prey. Additionally, he is always seen wearing a special helmet, likely due to his sensitivity to light, similar to the zombies in the game. This sets up a strong potential for an engaging final encounter, but unfortunately, none of these elements are fully utilized in the actual gameplay.
Instead, Victor is revealed to be a Nemesis, transforming into what appears to be an amorphous lump of “poo.” His final battle is notably easy, as his body is covered in flashing pustules that serve as weak points. He lacks any meaningful dialogue or actions, making the confrontation feel anticlimactic. Many fans believe that the story was significantly reworked at the last minute, leading to a disjointed narrative.
A Japanese fan discovered an untextured 3D model within the game’s files that suggests an alternative version of the final boss. This model appears to incorporate the snake motif that was introduced earlier in the game, resembling the caduceus symbol used by healthcare organizations. Although this is just a 3D model and there’s no indication of how it would have affected the story, it raises questions about the original direction of the game.
This discovery has led to speculation that the plot was radically changed during development. Similar theories exist regarding Resident Evil Village, which was initially intended to be the middle part of a trilogy featuring Ethan Winters. The setup in the beginning of Requiem, particularly regarding Grace and her blood, doesn’t align well with the latter half of the game, and the character of Zeno remains unexplained.
Zeno bears a striking resemblance to Albert Wesker, the original antagonist, and even shares the same voice actor in the West. However, his origins are never clarified, and he is abruptly killed off in a cut scene without any explanation. Capcom could potentially address these issues in future games, but for now, the ending feels rushed and hastily rewritten.
The reasons behind Capcom’s haste are unclear, but it’s possible that the looming release of GTA 6 in May influenced their timeline. Regardless, the series’ 30-year-old narrative, which has remained consistent without reboots, is now facing challenges. The storytelling isn’t the most crucial aspect of Resident Evil, but it’s a shame that recent entries have struggled with weak endings and lackluster boss battles.
There is hope that Capcom can improve on these aspects in the future. However, the next few releases are expected to be remakes, which may not provide the creative freedom needed to revitalize the franchise.
