Resident Evil Requiem Surges to Top of Metacritic User Scores, Outpacing Franchise Highs and Fan Favourites

Resident Evil Requiem claimed the number one spot on Metacritic’s all-time user-ranked list with a score of 9.5, outpacing acclaimed titles like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and cementing a record-breaking run for Capcom’s horror franchise.

Resident Evil Requiem has emerged as a critical and commercial triumph for Capcom, achieving a record high of user engagement and positive reception. According to Metacritic rankings as of March 2, 2026, the game topped the platform’s ‘Best Games by User Score’ chart, boasting a user score of 9.5. This placed it narrowly ahead of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, which shares the same user rating but slipped to second place due to minor shifts in internal metrics. Resident Evil Requiem’s success also extended to digital sales, with its Steam player numbers representing the highest launch figures recorded for any title in the Resident Evil franchise to date.

The game’s outstanding reception is reflected in its aggregated critic reviews, where it holds an 88 out of 100 (“generally favourable”) Metascore. Industry outlet VGC highlighted that the game’s user-driven acclaim now rivals popular and often meme-referenced titles such as Cory in the House for the Nintendo DS. As one journalist commented, “Resident Evil Requiem is pretty good, or at least that’s what we thought. The game is also selling quite well, with its Steam numbers reaching a record high for the horror franchise.”

Metacritic Leaderboard Fluctuations

Despite its peak, the top ranking remains volatile. As user votes and site traffic influence internal scoring, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 briefly regained the number one spot shortly after, signalling a dynamic rivalry for first place in this highly engaged segment of the gaming community. “Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has now reclaimed the top spot, but expect those two positions to be volatile for a while depending on fan movement.” This rapid shifting underscores both the highly competitive nature of user-rated lists and the intense loyalty among core fanbases.

Another entry generating discussion is Cory in the House (Nintendo DS). Often cited as an example of nostalgia-driven enthusiasm, its presence in the upper echelons of Metacritic exemplifies the platform’s unique mixture of genuine acclaim and fan-driven meme culture.

Nostalgia and Legacy in Resident Evil Requiem’s Appeal

While Capcom’s earlier Resident Evil entries, specifically Resident Evil 7 and Village, pivoted towards new characters and narrative innovation, Requiem marks a deliberate return to the series’ roots. Its story is anchored in the aftermath of the Raccoon City catastrophe and loaded with legacy characters, fuelling a wave of enthusiasm from long-term fans. Critics have remarked that, “Requiem is an entry more concerned about legacy and the direct consequences of the Raccoon City catastrophe. It’s a compelling angle for sure, but one can see how and why some fans might be ready to move forward even if ‘hot uncle’ Leon rocks.”

This nostalgia-heavy approach has drawn some division among players, with reviewers noting the game’s latter sections rely “a bit too heavily on nostalgia versus pushing things forward with courage.” However, fan sentiment appears largely favourable, contrasting with mixed reactions to the experimental direction of Resident Evil Village. As noted in retrospective comparisons, “Village, as largely well received as it was, eventually crossed into territory many deemed a bit too distant from what Resident Evil was about.”

Veteran fans recall similar cycles in franchise sentiment around entries like Resident Evil 5 and 6, underscoring an historical tendency for Resident Evil’s direction to oscillate between innovation and homage. The franchise’s ability to thrive amid changing design philosophies is also noted: “RE7’s answer to 6’s criticisms was bravely soft-rebooting the story and gameplay.”

Requiem’s performance extends beyond legacy platforms, with its Nintendo Switch 2 version contributing significantly to its popularity surge. Based on the “massive win” that Requiem represents for Capcom, speculation is mounting that more legacy characters will return in future projects. As one commentator observed, “We’re fully expecting more legacy characters to make their return in the future based on fan reactions to the game.”

Despite the nostalgia factor, analysts suggest there is appetite among franchise fans for greater innovation in Resident Evil’s future storytelling, with calls for the series to “embrace more of the universe’s future going forward.”

• Metacritic User Score (Resident Evil Requiem): 9.5 (as of 2 March 2026)
• Metacritic Critic Score: 88/100 (“generally favourable”)
• Competitive Titles: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Cory in the House
• Platform Performance: Record Steam player numbers, strong Switch 2 sales
• Developer: Capcom
• Comparative Franchise Reception: Franchise highs exceed past launches of Resident Evil 7 and Village

Quotes sourced directly from Eurogamer’s March 2, 2026 coverage and VGC reporting. All data points cited reflect Metacritic’s live listings as of the indicated date.