How to play Resident Evil Requiem without being scared

How not to be scare while playing RE9

It’s nearly impossible to avoid feeling scared while playing Resident Evil Requiem. From dimly lit corridors to hellish noises coming from every corner, the entire game is designed to evoke fear. While some players are drawn to the thrill of potential jump scares, well… that’s not the case for all of us!

But a weak sensibility for horror doesn’t mean you can’t still find joy in the genre. You can appreciate the melancholic atmosphere of Silent Hill 2. You can get lost in the myths behind Fatal Frame 2’s failed ritual, and what the game has to say about historical Japan. You might even enjoy the Resident Evil games for their science fiction elements and intricate conspiracies.

If you want to check out the new character Grace Ashcroft or see what's happening with Leon S. Kennedy, but think this game seems too scary, don't worry — we've got you covered. Below, we explain how to play Resident Evil Requiem without getting nightmares.

PSA: none of the tips presented below matter on the Insanity difficulty. If you're playing the most difficult mode, that means you want to suffer. Can’t help you there. Godspeed.

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How to play Resident Evil Requiem without getting nightmares

In Resident Evil Requiem, Grace Ashcroft's segments are more survival horror-oriented than Leon's, but both have moments designed to make you question whether you should take another step. Doors that will be opened by a creature as soon as you're in front of them. An inanimate body that seems dead, but as you’ll quickly learn, there's dead, and then there's dead-dead .

Here's what you can do to find the courage — or ignore your fears — without waking up from a nightmare where there was this giant monster crawling out of the walls.

Play in third person

Part of the reason we get scared by zombies or other nasty creatures in this game is because they surprise us. They grab Grace's arm, or they jump at Leon from our blind spots. The best method to prevent these situations from happening is to play using the third-person perspective with both characters. Pause the game, go to "Options," then "Camera," and choose "Third-person" for Grace and Leon.

The third-person camera helps you to track patrolling enemies and check the safety of your surroundings. When you start the game, Grace's POV is first-person by default, as that is the best way to present a tense survival horror experience. That's great — for those who enjoy being scared! If that’s not you, just switch the camera and enjoy the game.

Make it easier for you to see if it's safe

There's a simple reason why a flight of stairs or the most common room can feel terrifying: the lights are off. You can barely see inside. Every corner is swallowed by immeasurable darkness that can hide all kinds of threats. To make these situations less scary, you can tweak the "Brightness" settings in the "Graphics" tab, which you access from the "Option" menu so the environments look lighter. (This is an old trick that helps, but it doesn't work very well in Resident Evil Requiem. Even in its highest values, changing the brightness is not enough to fully light a dark room. But it’s better than nothing!)

Be rational

Whether games are capable of making you feel completely immersed in the worlds they portray is a long-standing debate, but I've learned that, if we think rationally and break that state of immersion, we feel less scared. When playing Resident Evil Requiem, try taking short breaks or have someone watch you play and talk to you. Ask them to remind you that zombies don't exist. They can't hurt you. The Girl is not real!

Besides, keep in mind that Resident Evil zombies are the classic, lazy-ass zombies who walk slowly and groan constantly, letting you know they are around. Of course, there are also those zombies pretending they are dead-dead just to eventually jump at you. But once they’ve already scared you, there's nothing to worry about. You can run away, and they won't chase you beyond one or two rooms.

Knowledge is power

In many situations, fear is tied to our lack of knowledge. We don't know what will happen. Thus, we feel scared. What sordid creature will attack me if I open the next door? Will some zombie chase me if I walk down the next corridor? Do I have enough ammo for the next fight? The best way to face doubt is to seek knowledge.

So turn down the TV volume and run toward the danger. Move forward, never stopping, ignoring everything, from enemies to items on the ground. The goal is to just experience what is going to happen, whether it's good or bad. You might learn that there was nothing to worry about, and that you were simply projecting your anxiety. Then, you can go back, explore rooms, and open lockers without fear. On the other hand, if you die, at least you will know what awaits you. Maybe it's a new enemy or a hidden trap. Regardless, you will be aware of its existence, and therefore there's no reason to feel afraid.

Think about what the true heroes would do

If none of the previous tips helped you, maybe what you need is the right inspiration: a figure of courage who represents the strength to move forward despite the challenges ahead. A symbol of determination. You need Umamusume.

No one knows fear and anxiety better than the horse-girls. When transferred from Hokkaido to Tokyo, Special Week faced her insecurities to chase her dream of being the best racer in Japan. Was she scared when competing with big names like Silence Suzuka? Of course! But she didn't back down, and you won't either!

To evoke the Umamusume spirit and enjoy your time in Resident Evil Requiem, you can listen to one of their songs when exploring the Care Center with Grace or the remains of Raccoon City with Leon. Don't turn off the audio of the game, as it provides hints through sound cues, but complement the experience with a brighter soundtrack.

We suggest the song above that really captures the fighting spirit of Umamusume, but any song works. Just remember: They believe you can beat this game — so you should believe in yourself too.