It may not have the visual appeal of other platforms, but it’s a surprisingly strong version.
I took a while to recover from the initial big scare in *Resident Evil Requiem*. As I was there, screen close to my face and headphones in my ears, a giant woman started chasing me down a dimly lit hallway, intending to devour me. It was a heart-pounding moment, and when I finally reached a save room, I needed to pause the game for a bit. This was an early signal that *Requiem* was an excellent game and further proof that the Switch 2 is becoming a friendly place for third-party titles.
Since Nintendo’s latest console launched last June, there have been limited opportunities to directly compare it to other platforms. The successful cross-platform release of *Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4* was a promising start for the Switch 2, but *Requiem* could be the best test yet. It’s a major action-horror game launching across Switch 2, PS5, Xbox, and PC simultaneously. And although there are some compromises on Nintendo’s platform, *Requiem* is a solid experience on the Switch 2.
*Requiem* merges two different styles of *Resident Evil* games: the fast-paced action of *Resident Evil 4* and the intense first-person horror of *Biohazard* and *Village*. These two aspects are represented through two playable characters. *RE4* hero Leon returns as a seasoned action figure, while newcomer Grace is a more vulnerable FBI agent who often runs and hides. Impressively, you can swap between perspectives at any time, experiencing Grace’s scares in first person or helping Leon wield a chainsaw in third person (or vice versa).
Functionally, I’ve encountered no issues on the Switch 2. There have been no noticeable slowdowns or disruptions, except once when a zombie butcher’s body disappeared briefly, making me fear he’d resurrect after a tense battle. But nothing was game-breaking, consistent across both portable and TV modes.
The main compromise is visual. *Requiem* on the Switch 2 doesn’t look as good as it does on PC or the other consoles. Blurry textures are common, especially when close to objects or walls; overall, things are less sharp and clear compared to, say, a PS5. This is particularly noticeable in first-person mode, and I noticed some unusual hair animations with gravity-defying hair. Again, these aren’t game-breaking, but they do detract from the tension *Requiem* tries to build.
This is a busy week for *Resident Evil* fans with a Switch 2. Alongside *Requiem*, Capcom has released belated ports of *Biohazard* and *Village*. Although these are older games, my experience was similar. I revisited the opening area of *Biohazard* for the first time in nearly a decade—which I regret, as it’s terrifying—and it performed well but was marred by fuzzy textures and unrealistic floating hair.
Honestly, this is probably the best case for ports like these. We know the Switch 2 is less powerful than its direct competitors, so a game like *Requiem* will always feel somewhat constrained. A good enough port of *Requiem*, even if not the best version, helps Nintendo expand the Switch 2’s library, which has grown in both size and quality, despite limited major first-party titles from Nintendo. Plus, you trade visual splendor for portability.
*Requiem* is a positive signal for the Switch 2’s potential as a platform for major third-party games, but more frequent releases like this would be an even better sign. We won’t have to wait long for the next big test: Capcom’s sci-fi action game *Pragmata* launches on most major platforms, including the Switch 2, in April. I’m eager to see how hair behaves in space.