Resident Evil Requiem: How 40+ Hour Completionist Runs Unfold

The highly anticipated launch of Resident Evil Requiem is on the horizon, bringing with it renewed excitement and, for many fans, the burning question: how long to beat RE9? While the core narrative offers a substantial experience, those dedicated to uncovering every secret and mastering every challenge should brace themselves for an epic journey stretching well beyond the typical playthrough, potentially exceeding 40 hours for a true completionist.

Capcom's latest installment promises a compelling blend of action and survival horror, featuring two distinct protagonists, Leon and Grace, whose paths intertwine within a single, expansive campaign. Unlike some previous entries with separate character scenarios, Requiem integrates their experiences seamlessly, creating a cohesive yet diverse adventure. This design choice significantly impacts the overall playtime, especially for those aiming for 100% completion.

Unpacking Resident Evil Requiem's Core Playtime: Story vs. Standard

For players focused primarily on experiencing the gripping story of Resident Evil Requiem, a first playthrough is expected to fall within a respectable 10-16 hour window. This estimate aligns closely with modern Resident Evil titles like Resident Evil Village and even the critically acclaimed Resident Evil 4 Remake, which typically offers a 10-12 hour critical path.

This "standard" playthrough usually involves following the main objectives, engaging in necessary combat, and perhaps dabbling in a few easily discovered side activities. However, even within this range, player skill level and chosen difficulty will play a significant role. Struggling with a boss fight, getting lost in a labyrinthine environment, or simply taking the time to appreciate the atmosphere can easily push that initial number towards the higher end.

The presence of two protagonists, Leon and Grace, each with their own unique playstyles and perspectives, enriches the narrative without necessarily lengthening the critical path exponentially. Their story junctions are designed to keep the momentum going, ensuring that even a focused run feels complete and satisfying. Yet, their distinct mechanics and areas they might access exclusively hint at deeper content for those willing to explore. For a more detailed look at the fundamental playtime, you can explore our analysis on How Long to Beat Resident Evil Requiem? Story vs. 100% Runs.

The Marathon: Decoding the 40+ Hour Completionist Journey in Resident Evil Requiem

Here's where Resident Evil Requiem truly shines for dedicated fans: the allure of 100% completion. While a standard run might take 10-16 hours, achieving full completion is projected to demand well over 40 hours of your time. This substantial commitment isn't just a number; it's a testament to the game's depth and replayability, offering a wealth of content for those who want to experience everything it has to offer.

So, what exactly constitutes a "completionist" run in the world of Resident Evil Requiem? It's far more than just finishing the story; it's about dissecting every facet of the game. This typically includes:

Collecting Everything: This means tracking down every hidden treasure, artifact, file, and record. Expect intricate puzzles or environmental clues guiding you to elusive collectibles. With two protagonists, there might be items discoverable only by Leon or Grace, or areas accessible based on their unique abilities.
Completing All Side Content: From optional boss encounters and challenging mini-games to various Merchant requests or character-specific side quests, these diversions add significant playtime and often unlock valuable rewards or lore details.
Maxing Out Upgrades: Fully upgrading all weapons, purchasing every item from vendors, and unlocking all character abilities requires careful resource management and extensive exploration.
Unlocking All Achievements/Trophies: This can involve anything from specific combat challenges, speedrunning certain sections, playing on the highest difficulty, or performing unique actions.
Thorough Exploration: Leaving no stone unturned, backtracking to previously inaccessible areas with new tools or keys, and simply soaking in the environmental storytelling.

Drawing parallels with the Resident Evil 4 Remake, which had a robust 20-25 hour completionist run (and often longer for many), Requiem's 40+ hour estimate suggests a significantly larger scope. This could stem from more numerous collectibles, a greater variety of side missions, larger and more complex maps, or even entirely distinct challenges tied to Leon and Grace's separate skill sets. The intricate design of intertwined paths might mean that secrets for one character are only revealed after progressing with the other, encouraging meticulous investigation.

For aspiring completionists, our advice is to approach your first playthrough with an open mind, savoring the experience. Then, on subsequent runs, armed with knowledge and perhaps a guide, you can methodically sweep through every area, ticking off those elusive objectives. Prepare for multiple visits to each locale, as new abilities or key items often unlock previously inaccessible pathways.

Beyond the First Playthrough: New Game Plus and Replayability in RE Requiem

The beauty of Resident Evil games lies not just in their initial playthroughs, but in their immense replayability. Resident Evil Requiem is poised to continue this tradition, offering substantial reasons to dive back in long after the credits roll. This is where the answer to how long to beat RE9 becomes even more fluid.

New Game Plus (NG+) is a staple of the series, allowing players to carry over their unlocked weapons, upgrades, and sometimes even inventory into a fresh run. This can dramatically alter the experience:

Speedrunning: Armed with powerful gear, players can attempt to beat the game in record time, often vying for specific achievements or rewards tied to time limits (much like RE4 Remake offered 5.5-hour challenges).
Higher Difficulties: NG+ often unlocks harder difficulty settings, pushing players to their limits against more resilient enemies and scarce resources. This can extend playtime significantly as encounters require more strategic planning and multiple attempts.
Exploring Different Builds: Players might experiment with different weapon loadouts, focusing on specific combat styles that weren't feasible in a first playthrough.
Unlocking Everything: Some costumes, bonus weapons (like infinite ammo launchers), or secret modes are only accessible after completing the game on certain difficulties or conditions, encouraging repeated playthroughs.

The dual protagonist system in Resident Evil Requiem could further enhance NG+ by offering unique challenges or hidden dialogue options depending on which character's gear you prioritize or which paths you take. It's plausible that certain post-game content might even be exclusive to completing specific challenges with either Leon or Grace.

Resident Evil analyst and leaker 'Golem' has indicated that Resident Evil Requiem is longer than Village but potentially shorter than the full scope of Resident Evil 4 Remake, especially considering the latter's robust post-game Mercenaries mode and Separate Ways DLC. However, for a single, comprehensive completionist campaign, Requiem's 40+ hour estimate solidifies its standing as a truly substantial offering. You can delve deeper into these comparisons in our article: RE Requiem Length: Longer Than Village, Shorter Than RE4?

Ultimately, Resident Evil Requiem is not just a game to be beaten once; it's an experience designed to be revisited, mastered, and thoroughly explored. Whether you're chasing every trophy or simply perfecting your combat skills on the hardest setting, the game provides ample opportunity to extend your hours of horrific fun.

Factors Influencing Your Personal Playtime

While averages and estimates provide a good benchmark, your personal journey through Resident Evil Requiem will undoubtedly be unique. Several factors will dictate your specific answer to how long to beat RE9:

Your Skill Level: Seasoned survival horror veterans might breeze through combat encounters and puzzles, while newcomers might spend more time strategizing or overcoming obstacles.
Exploration Style: Are you a methodical explorer who meticulously checks every corner and reads every document, or do you prefer to stick to the critical path? Your approach to discovery will add or subtract hours.
Difficulty Setting: Playing on higher difficulties often means more challenging enemies, scarcer resources, and a greater need for tactical play, which can naturally extend playtime.
Puzzles and Bosses: Some players might solve puzzles quickly, while others might spend considerable time contemplating solutions. Similarly, particularly tough boss encounters might require multiple attempts, adding precious minutes (or hours!) to your clock.
Engagement with Lore: Reading every file, listening to every audio log, and engaging with every optional NPC will enrich the experience but also extend the playtime beyond a pure gameplay-focused run.

Interestingly, sometimes ignoring side content can make the game harder and, ironically, longer. Without the extra weapon upgrades, health boosts, or useful items gained from exploration and side quests, tougher encounters might become insurmountable, leading to more deaths and restarts. A balanced approach often proves most efficient.

Conclusion

Resident Evil Requiem promises a rich and varied experience, catering to different playstyles. For those seeking a focused narrative journey, expect a solid 10-16 hours of terror. However, for the dedicated completionists, the true horror – and joy – lies in the sprawling 40+ hour quest to uncover every secret, master every challenge, and fully immerse themselves in the world. With robust New Game Plus options and a wealth of unlockables, Resident Evil Requiem is designed for longevity, ensuring that the answer to how long to beat RE9 is as expansive and intriguing as the game itself.