Mastering Early Progress in Resident Evil Requiem: Parlor Upgrades Unraveled
The opening hours of Resident Evil Requiem set the tone for a survival journey where every bullet and every item slot can decide your fate. Among the most pivotal early-game moments comes with your first visit to the hospital’s parlor — a room brimming with the promise of permanent character boosts in the form of parlor upgrades. Deciding what to spend those hard-earned antique coins on can be the difference between a smooth survivalist run and a nail-biting struggle for inventory space and health.
Where to Find the Parlor: Your Gateway to Early Power
When you leave the initial safe room with the classic typewriter, take a left toward the west wing. Continue straight, and you’ll eventually spot the parlor on your right behind a set of glass cases. These cases showcase a selection of permanent upgrades, each offering unique enhancements for Grace, your protagonist. All of them are acquired using antique coins—hidden throughout the game’s first areas, echoing a staple tradition of the franchise.
The Upgrade Choices: What Does Each Parlor Upgrade Offer?
- Hip Pouch (3 coins): Increase your inventory space to carry more items—and no, it’s not just handy for hoarders; you’ll need every slot for keys, ammo, and precious resources.
- Stabilizer (4 coins): Enhances firepower and stabilizes your aim, making each shot land with greater lethality.
- Override Manual (6 coins): Boosts the blood collector’s capacity—a resource crucial for advanced crafting as you progress.
- Steroids (4 coins): A classic Resident Evil staple, granting Grace a higher maximum health to weather the game’s brutal ambushes.
Strategic Prioritization: The Best Upgrade Order for a Smoother Run
As tempting as it is to boost firepower or health first, expanding your inventory with the Hip Pouch is paramount. Every resource, from quest items to powerful weapon upgrades (and the coins themselves), demands space. Running out at a crucial moment will force tough decisions about what to leave behind, possibly impacting your entire run.
After securing the Hip Pouch, consider your playstyle and current pain points:
- If you’ve been dying repeatedly due to tough encounters, Steroids should be your next pick. The max health boost is invaluable when medical supplies are limited.
- If you find yourself struggling to take down enemies efficiently, the Stabilizer will deliver noticeable improvements in combat, especially as your arsenal begins to expand.
- The Override Manual is an investment for later. Early on, you won’t need the extra blood capacity without more advanced recipes—but don’t neglect it before you move past the first area, as it becomes pivotal for crafting mid- to late-game items.
Can You Get Every Upgrade? Understanding Antique Coin Abundance
One reassuring detail: there are more than enough antique coins scattered throughout the opening chapters to collect every upgrade. The critical difference is the sequence in which you obtain them. Prioritizing inventory and health can mean the difference between an exhilarating run and a frustrating inventory shuffle.
How Parlor Upgrades Shape Your Survival Experience
The tension in Resident Evil Requiem remains rooted in its limited resources and inventory management, hallmarks of the survival horror genre. The parlor system expertly amplifies this tension, letting you tailor your run to your preferred strategy. Whether you’re a careful looter, a direct combatant, or someone who prefers to outmaneuver the undead through smart item use, the right upgrade order personalizes your journey through the hospital’s horrors.
For those seeking even deeper insight into upgrade paths, inventory optimization, and advanced survival tactics, keep a keen eye on official updates from Capcom and the vibrant Resident Evil community guiding newcomers and veterans alike.
