Should you destroy or release Elpis in Resident Evil Requiem?

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Should you destroy or release Elpis?
All endings
Release Elpis (Good ending)
Destroy Elpis (Bad ending)

Deciding to destroy or release Elpis in Resident Evil Requiem picks one of two endings. You'll hear the word mentioned a lot throughout the duration of RE9, but even at the end it's largely down to vibes as to what you think it might actually mean. Unhelpful when making a choice that has huge ramifications, and leads to one of two very different endings.

Presumably you've arrived here having just paused Resident Evil Requiem in a panic, just be sure you really want to know what happens when you choose either option. If you're planning on playing twice anyway, you can always pick either of them now and maintain the element of surprise. If you'd rather know, and you really, really don't mind having the endings spoiled, you're free to continue. You've been warned.

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Destroy or release Elpis at the end of Resident Evil Requiem?

The player faces the decision whether to destroy or release Elpis in Resident Evil Requiem — (Image credit: Capcom)

We've got explainers for each ending below, but if you want the quick answer then deciding to release Elpis is the best choice, resulting in the canonical 'good' ending.

While Elpis was touted to be a virus capable of mind control – as thought by Dr Victor Gideon and Wesker-clone Zeno - it's actually an antidote that cures all forms of virus infection. So, short version: destroying Elpis would be bad, while releasing it gives you the chance to save Leon, Sherry and the world with the antidote.

However, destroying Elpis and getting the bad ending does immediately allow you to jump back and try again. So, if you'd rather see all the options, pick the bad ending first and then round out your playthrough with the good one before the credits roll.

All Resident Evil Requiem endings

There are two Resident Evil Requiem endings:

Destroy Elpis (bad ending)
Release Elpis (good ending)

Don't worry too much about which you pick, as you can reload to a save just before the decision to see how the other choice might have panned out. But if you don't want the fuss, here's an overview of what goes down in each.

You've already been warned once or twice, but, again, there are serious spoilers here. Like, Resident Evil world-changing spoilers.

What happens if you release Elpis in Resident Evil Requiem?

Release Elpis Good ending Resident Evil Requiem — (Image credit: Capcom)

Choosing to release Elpis will let Grace pick up a vial of the cure and use it on Leon to cure him, leading to an ending that is much longer than the "destroy" ending. Dr. Gideon will he unceremoniously behead Zeno (aka Wesker 2.0) and then start a bopss fight with Leon.

See off Gideon and you'll be treated to a lengthy cutscene, and a post-credits, giving us the happy ending we all wanted, as Sherry and Leon are cured, and they even manage to bring Emily back from the dead, giving her a new life with Grace. Even Chris Redfield gets an honorable mention, with this ending clearly created with a view to continuing the series.

What happens if you destroy Elpis in Resident Evil Requiem?

If you choose to destroy Elpis, Grace survives the destruction of ARK. Leon, however, sacrifices himself in the process, and gets murdered brutally by Zeno as the two plummet to the depths of the facility.

The game ends on a painful cinematic, echoing the shattering hearts of Leon fans everywhere, but it's clear that this is not the canonical ending (phew!). Importantly, after destroying Elpis, you'll be offered the choice to immediately jump back to the crucial moment to do it right this time and get the good ending, instead.