About 17-18 years ago, back in my school days, I first completed my all-time favorite entry in the series - Resident Evil 4. Back then, I couldn’t even imagine that the series would live this long, that it would change, evolve… yet never lose its soul. Since then, many iconic and unforgettable chapters of this story have been released. And here I am again - launching a brand-new Resident Evil. The ninth installment. Time passes, the series lives on. And that feeling is incredible.

First of all, I want to say that the strongest side of this game is its atmosphere. Oh my God, it’s incredible - and it changes dramatically depending on who you’re playing as.

The return of Leon S. Kennedy is an event in itself. When you play as him, it’s confidence, control, power. It’s not that the zombies spotted him - it’s that he spotted them. He literally clears everything in his path without hesitation. A boss, in every sense of the word. And you feel it in every movement.

But when you play as Grace, it’s like stepping into an endless nightmare: a creepy house full of zombies. Someone is knocking. Someone is screaming. Someone is devouring someone else in the dark. This isn’t just horror - it’s pure helplessness. And it’s genuinely terrifying, because one wrong choice - and you’re gone.

The new zombies aren’t quite the ones we’re used to. In previous games, they were mostly a mindless mass. Here, they’re somewhat different. Are they geniuses now? No. But sometimes they speak coherently. They perform different actions. They behave in a more aware and unpredictable way. And that adds a serious amount of tension and fear.

As for the gameplay - it’s old school in the best possible sense:
• Resource gathering
• Limited inventory
• Searching for key items
• Returning to the map for items you had to leave behind
• Puzzles
• Constant survival
Even if your inventory is full, you can drop an item - and it will stay marked on the map so you can come back for it later. It’s very convenient and comfortable. So yes, the gameplay stays true to the classic formula of the series - and it’s incredibly engaging.

They also added elements of realism: for example, you can bump into pedestrians on the street just like in real life. There are other small details that make the world feel more alive.

So my rating:
☑️ Gameplay - 10/10
☑️ Atmosphere - 10/10
☑️ Leon’s return - already a huge plus on its own
☑️ 9 Resident Evil games out of 9.

And if this isn’t a masterpiece - then what is?