Users wrote

Most reviewers praise RE9 for balancing horror and action through Grace and Leon, delivering two distinct gameplay styles. The game is widely celebrated for its visuals, performance, and atmosphere, with comments about high-quality graphics and smooth optimization. Fans also appreciate nostalgia and references to older Resident Evil titles, along with strong replay value from multiple routes and modes. A few criticisms include pacing issues in Grace’s sections (notably the orphanage), questions about the price, and occasional technical problems.

Last updated: 2026-03-05

Most Mentioned Advantages

• Two-protagonist design balances horror and action (40 mentions) - Grace's horror-focused sections create tension and resource management challenges, while Leon's action-driven segments deliver fast-paced combat. Reviewers say the switches between Grace and Leon provide two distinct experiences that complement each other. This design helps pace the game and keeps exploration varied throughout the campaign.
• Stunning visuals and strong performance (34 mentions) - The game is praised for its photorealistic visuals, detailed environments, and atmospheric lighting, including path tracing. Players report smooth performance on PC with solid optimization and only occasional dips in a specific area. The overall visual and technical presentation contributes to immersion and replayability.
• Nostalgia and fanservice for longtime fans (28 mentions) - Reviewers note numerous references to older Resident Evil titles and returning lore, which many players appreciate. The game ties new content with classic elements, rewarding longtime fans without relying solely on nostalgia. The presentation and respect for the series are highlighted as a major strength.
• High replay value and multiple playthroughs (22 mentions) - Players enjoy replaying to chase achievements, try different routes, and experiment with Grace and Leon. The game supports speedrunning and various difficulty modes, encouraging multiple runs. This design encourages long-term engagement beyond a single playthrough.
• Zombies with personality and tense atmosphere (20 mentions) - Zombies retain some personality from earlier games, adding variety to encounters. The atmosphere remains tense due to resource management, exploration, and environmental design. Encounters feel distinctive and memorable thanks to these quirks.

Most Mentioned Disadvantages

• Story can feel nonsensical or inconsistent (6 mentions) - Several reviewers criticize the story as confusing or not landing, with some retcons and plot choices not resonating. While others praise the narrative, this viewpoint appears in multiple reviews as a concern about coherence. The story quality is a recurring point of contention.
• Occasional technical issues and performance hiccups (6 mentions) - Some players report frame-rate dips, stutters, and minor bugs, with launch issues after updates. These problems are noted by several reviewers and detract from an otherwise strong package.
• Price is considered too high for the value (5 mentions) - A number of reviews note the $70 price tag as not justified given the game's length and some shortcomings. Some players suggest the game is worth more on sale or could benefit from a lower price point at launch. This is a common complaint among purchasers.
• Grace’s segments can drag, especially the orphanage (4 mentions) - Several reviewers note pacing issues in Grace portions, with the orphanage feeling slow and heavy for some players. This can interrupt the flow and reduce enjoyment for those sensitive to pacing. The slower sequences are cited as a notable drawback by multiple reviewers.
• Puzzles are weak or unengaging (3 mentions) - A subset of reviewers feel the puzzles are not compelling, with some saying they are drivel. Optional puzzles may be better, but overall puzzle design is not seen as a strong point by these reviewers.

Compared Games

• Resident Evil 4 Remake (25 mentions) - Often described as the best RE game since the original RE4, with many noting a blend of elements from RE2 Remake and RE4 Remake. Reviewers view RE9 as carrying forward the refinement of action and pacing seen in RE4 Remake.
• Resident Evil 2 Remake (18 mentions) - Described as a balance between RE2 Remake-style survival horror and RE4 Remake-style action, with Grace's tension and Leon's combat. The two-protagonist approach is sometimes likened to the varied experiences of the earlier remakes.
• Resident Evil 7/8 (14 mentions) - Noted as influences on the horror emphasis and modern survival mechanics, shaping how Grace’s segments feel compared to Leon’s action sequences.
• Resident Evil 4 (Original) (12 mentions) - Used as a benchmark for action and pacing, with many comparisons to how RE9 handles gunplay and set pieces alongside the horror segments.
• Resident Evil Village (10 mentions) - Compared in terms of atmosphere and tonal shifts, with RE9 seen as blending elements of Village’s style with RE2/RE4-inspired gameplay.