RE9 Bad Ending Guide: The Final Choice in Resident Evil Requiem

After surviving the claustrophobic horrors of the Rhodes Hill Chronic Care Center and enduring the intense dual-protagonist gameplay, nothing is more devastating than accidentally triggering the RE9 bad ending.

Unlike older titles in the franchise where endings were tied to obscure side-quests or hidden items, the conclusion of Resident Evil Requiem boils down to a single, critical decision at the very end of Chapter 5 in the Ark Facility. If you make the wrong move, you will experience the bleakest conclusion in the game.

In this guide, we will explain exactly what the Resident Evil Requiem bad ending entails, how to trigger it (if you are morbidly curious), and how to avoid it to secure the True Ending.

What Happens in the RE9 Bad Ending?

If you are reading this, you might have just watched the credits roll entirely too early and asked yourself, "Wait, is Leon really dead?"

Yes. The RE9 bad ending is notoriously abrupt and punishing. If you make the wrong choice at the final terminal:

Leon S. Kennedy dies a tragic death.
The game bypasses the final boss fight against the Mutated Victor Gideon entirely.
The story ends prematurely, leaving Grace's narrative arc unresolved.
You are locked out of the "Hope and Requiem" achievement.

Because of this, players looking to experience the full climax of the game must know how to navigate the final terminal sequence.

How to Trigger (or Avoid) the Resident Evil Requiem Bad Ending

The defining moment occurs in Chapter 5: The Ark Finale, after you have utilized Grace’s stealth mechanics and Leon’s heavy combat to navigate the Sterilization and Guard Rooms.

Eventually, Grace will reach the Final Choice Terminal regarding the fate of the bioweapon entity, Elpis. You will be prompted to input a command word.

❌ How to Get the Bad Ending

To trigger the RE9 bad ending, input the word "Destruction". This command kills Elpis instead of saving it. Without Elpis's intervention, Leon succumbs to his injuries and dies, abruptly ending the game.

✅ How to Get the True Ending

To avoid the tragedy and unlock the True Ending, input the word "Hope". By choosing to release Elpis:

Elpis heals Leon.
You trigger the massive final boss battle against Mutated Gideon (you will control Leon for this fight).
The BSAA rescue team arrives.
Grace officially adopts Emily, bringing closure to her emotional arc and unlocking the "Hope and Requiem" achievement.

Preparation: Don't Waste Your Ammo!

Because the Resident Evil Requiem bad ending skips the final boss, players who accidentally trigger it often finish the game with an inventory full of unused Magnum and Rocket Launcher ammo!

If you are aiming for the True Ending, you need every resource you can get for the fight against Mutated Gideon. During the earlier chapters, prioritize Grace’s stealth to avoid enemies like the Shadow Ghost "Girl", and use Leon to clear out only the necessary high-threat targets (like the Tyrant and Lickers).

💡 Pro SEO Tip: Need extra supplies before the final showdown? Make sure you haven't missed any Antique Coins or ammo caches. Use our completeResident Evil Requiem Safe Code guide to easily crack the Sterilization Room and Guard Room safes in Chapter 5 before interacting with the final terminal!

By managing your resources properly and remembering to type "Hope" at the final terminal, you can safely bypass the RE9 bad ending and witness the true cinematic conclusion to Grace and Leon's harrowing journey.

RESIDENT EVIL REQUIEM

RE9 Bad Ending Guide: How to Trigger the Dark Conclusion