Resident Evil Requiem landed in late February and people are calling it a wild mashup of RE7's bone-deep terror and RE4's cinematic action. Critics loved it, but one famous face from the series has a tiny problem. It is too scary to play in the dark.

Why Kamiya wants a "not scary" mode

Hideki Kamiya, who once directed Resident Evil 2, chimed in on the Requiem conversation with a very specific request. In short, he wants a mode where the horror is dialed down so far it practically begs for a tea break. His wishlist includes zombies that look cute, blood splatters that turn into cherry blossom petals, and upbeat music so you can enjoy puzzles and fights in a pleasant mood.

"So, like... please make a 'not scary mode' for it. Where the zombies get all cute, the blood splatters turn into cherry blossom petals, the music becomes this upbeat, feel-good kind of tune, and you can just purely enjoy the puzzles and battles in a fun mood. I wanna play it, but it’s so scary that I can't sleep alone at night anymore, so I just can't bring myself to play. Think about how people like that feel."

Translation: one of the franchise's veterans is politely begging for a kid-gloves option so he can actually try the game without checking under the bed afterward.

What's actually coming to Requiem

The game's director announced some official updates coming soon. In May, players will get a Photo Mode and a new mini game. Story DLC is also on the roadmap, and will arrive at a later date. So yes, more content is inbound, even if it keeps making you jump out of your chair.

Mods exist for the faint of heart

If you absolutely cannot handle certain monsters, the PC modding community will save you. Folks have already tinkered with boss replacements for those with arachnophobia, including a cheeky swap that replaces a giant spider with Thomas the Tank Engine. Not canon, but 100 percent comforting if trains make you feel safe.

About Kamiya and horror

Funny thing: Kamiya has said he is not really a horror fan, even though several of his games have terrifying moments. He has been following Requiem closely and has also been outspoken about people who spoiled the game, using a colorful gaming reference to express his displeasure.

At the end of the day, this is one director asking for a gentler option so he can enjoy the design without losing sleep. If Capcom ever adds a cherry-blossom-blood toggle, I will personally file it under "features that make friendship stronger."

Quick take

  • Resident Evil Requiem is getting praise for blending horror and action.
  • Hideki Kamiya asked Capcom for a "not scary" mode so he can play without nightmares.
  • Photo Mode and a mini game arrive in May, with story DLC later.
  • Mods already exist to soften specific scares, including a Thomas the Tank Engine swap for spiders.