The Crucial Endgame Decision in Resident Evil Requiem
Resident Evil Requiem stands out for placing a single, game-defining decision at its emotional climax – a choice that not only determines the fate of its key characters, but fundamentally shapes the closure players experience in this survival horror epic. As Grace Ashcroft faces the legacy of Oswell Spencer, infamous CEO of the Umbrella Corporation, players are confronted with a stark dilemma: Destroy Elpis or Release Elpis. This moment encapsulates the franchise’s signature moral grey zones, forcing fans to weigh destruction against the hope of redemption.
What Happens If You Choose to Destroy Elpis
Opting to destroy the Elpis project plunges the narrative into darkness. After a somber transmission where Spencer expresses regret over his life’s work, the game prompts one final confirmation. Grace types the fateful word ‘Destruction’ into the machine, setting off the facility’s self-destruction protocol. As chaos erupts, Leon helps Grace escape—yet decides to stay behind, unable or unwilling to flee due to his injuries. This act culminates in a brutally direct act from Zeno, who, furious at Grace’s decision, executes Leon before her eyes. The scene underscores the bleak, unforgiving edge of the Resident Evil universe; the credits roll as the cost of this choice is made painfully clear.
What Happens If You Choose to Release Elpis
The alternate path offers a dramatically different resolution and is widely viewed as the canonical, or ‘[true ending](#),’ for the game. Here, both Spencer and Alyssa Ashcroft refer to Grace as their ‘hope,’ dialing up the franchise’s ongoing theme of uncertain salvation. By choosing to release Elpis, Grace types ‘Hope’ into the console, unlocking Spencer’s final experiment: vials with the potential to change everything. Zeno injects himself, expecting monstrous power, but instead the telltale signs of Raccoon City Syndrome vanish. Leon, still stricken by the virus, receives a vial from Grace and is miraculously healed.
As the story turns, Dr. Victor Gideon suddenly reappears, dispatching Zeno and initiating a thrilling two-phase boss fight against both his human and mutated forms. This section is a showcase for the latest iteration of Capcom’s RE Engine—packed with dynamic boss attack patterns and destructible environments. Smart use of collectable supplies and the arena layout becomes key to surviving this final battle.
When the dust settles, Leon and Grace, resigned to die in the ruins, are miraculously rescued. This outcome not only preserves the central characters but lays new groundwork for future titles, making it the most rewarding and narratively satisfying ending available in Requiem.
Technical Insights and Playstyle Advice
Resident Evil Requiem delivers branching cutscenes and in-game rewards for both endings. Destroying Elpis results in a truncated, somber send-off and might appeal to players who value tragic storytelling or want to see every possible outcome. However, releasing Elpis brings advanced enemy encounters, extensive character development, and exclusive in-game rewards that enhance replay value. The RE Engine enables not just visually stunning transformations, but also supports seamless environmental transitions and highly reactive AI during boss fights.
Practical tip: The game’s autosave mechanism allows players to reload just prior to the final choice, making it easy to view both endings without the need for multiple lengthy playthroughs. This convenience also means completionists can experience all cutscenes and unlockables without excessive backtracking.
Why Release Elpis Is the Superior Choice
The decision structure in Resident Evil Requiem is ingeniously designed: while players are free to choose, releasing Elpis provides not only a more hopeful closure, but a richer, more complete gaming experience. With deeper combat encounters, additional lore, and a genuinely climactic resolution, the true essence of the franchise shines through. For players invested in both story and gameplay depth, this path clearly offers the most value.
