Resident Evil Requiem Revives Classic Survival-Horror Gameplay
Resident Evil Requiem marks a significant return to the franchise's original survival-horror roots, emphasizing intricate puzzles, thorough exploration, and meticulous resource management. Players alternate between protagonists Grace Ashcroft and Leon S. Kennedy, with puzzle-solving becoming a central mechanic for progression, particularly in critical locations like the Care Center and ARK facilities.
Core Puzzle Mechanics and Environmental Clues
The game challenges players to carefully observe their surroundings and examine documents for vital clues. Puzzle types range from symbol-based puzzle boxes to blood sample analyzers and coded safes. While many puzzles maintain consistent solutions across difficulty levels, safe codes notably vary on Insanity mode, adding an extra layer of challenge for seasoned players.
Complete List of Main Puzzles and Detailed Solutions
1. Chairman’s Office Puzzle Box
One of the earliest challenges involves locating a pencil in a nearby room and using it to shade a notebook, revealing hidden symbols.
Solution: Moon - Sun - Star - Moon.
Successfully completing this puzzle rewards players with a key jewel, essential for unlocking the Central Door later in the game.
2. Lead Researcher’s Office Puzzle Box
This locked box requires players to first obtain Corrosive from the Conference Room to melt the padlock. Clues are found in photographs scattered around the office.
Solution: Star - Sun - Moon - Sun.
Opening this box grants access to additional items and documents necessary for advancing the storyline.
3. Security Manager’s Office Puzzle Box
This puzzle operates differently, as players must interact with notes and escort Emily to the room. She automatically solves the braille puzzle after a brief sequence, providing the Star Quartz needed for the main door.
4. Organ Transport Box Puzzle
A multi-phase puzzle that requires players to examine the item in their inventory and manipulate switches in a specific sequence.
Solution:
- Turn the box.
- Open the back panel.
- Set the switch to HAND.
- Move the right switch to the middle position.
- Press Button 5, then Button 2.
- Return the switch to AUTO.
5. Analyzer Blood Specimen Puzzles
Several of these puzzles appear throughout the Care Center, requiring selection of specific grid squares:
- Denatured: Left middle square.
- Converged: Top middle, then second from bottom.
- Reversible: Bottom left → middle → top right → second from top.
- Polymerized (Insanity mode only): Middle left → middle right → middle bottom.
6. VIP Suite Double Helix Puzzle
A relatively straightforward puzzle where players must rotate a wine bottle to discover a hidden helix model, then insert it into the lectern.
7. Safe Code Puzzles
Numerous safes throughout the game require specific codes to unlock. Key examples include:
- Bar & Lounge: Left 10 → Right 80 → Left 30.
- Examination Room: Right 30 → Left 10 → Right 50.
- Basement: Right 60 → Left 40 → Right 80.
- Sterilization Chamber: Right 10 → Left 90 → Right 20.
- Monitor Control Room: Left 50 → Right 60 → Left 80.
Progression and Final Puzzle Integration
After collecting the Moon, Sun, and Star Quartz from various puzzle boxes, players can unlock the Central Door, granting access to new story areas and advancing the narrative.
Overall Game Design and Strategy
The puzzles in Resident Evil Requiem skillfully blend classic Resident Evil design elements with modern gameplay mechanics. To solve them efficiently, players must engage in thorough exploration, meticulously study notes and documents, and occasionally backtrack to previously visited locations. This approach not only enhances the survival-horror experience but also deepens immersion in the game's atmospheric world.
